Teenagers and children (though little) are still individuals with constitutionally guaranteed rights. Its disturbing that a teacher (of all people) should forget that. Moreover, being a citizen does not require one to be patriotic. I have a basic respect for all life. I value certain ethics (liberty tempered by equality). And I will pledge myself to these ideals. But pledging myself to a flag? Absolutely not. And I know that some may think that this is silly. Who cares if the Pledge says One nation, under God? But if we dont step up and say No. No more. then the encroachment will continue. I probably dont need to remind anyone that, this past year, Mississippi passed Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which is designed to protect the individual religious freedom of Mississippians of all faiths from government interference,” ...and which also stated that In God We Trust will be added to the State seal (no, seriously.). Tell me: How does putting In God We Trust protect my religious freedom? I am not religious. I have no faith. So I am pretty sure that I am not one of the we who is trusting in God. And if I am not one of the we, I am not one of the us, which makes me one of them. (do you see where I am going with this us verses them mentality of otherization?) Relevant: articles.latimes/2014/apr/04/nation/la-na-nn-mississippi-governor-signs-religious-freedom-bill-20140404 creightoncreation.wordpress/2014/04/01/god-religion-sb-2861-and-lgbtq-discrimination-in-mississippi-an-open-letter-to-rep-joey-hood/ *Also, I am operating under the assumption that this is true. It seems to be, but even if it is not, my main points remain.
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 01:05:33 +0000