I was lucky. In school, I had more than one teacher say “y’know, you don’t have to say that. Especially if you’re from another nation.” So I just used the time to do homework late.
My high school homeroom teacher allowed me to stay quiet during the pledge, but still made me stand up and put my hand over my heart. In 11th grade I moved to a more conservative area of the state, but oddly enough they had more students who opted to stay seated and silent, and the teachers let me do the same.
It was around that time that I started feeling like there was something wrong with all the “America’s so great!” stuff we had been taught since 1st grade. I completely deprogrammed when I had the opportunity to work alongside people from all over the world, learn more about their culture, their family, become friends. I began to see the world differently, and my perspective shifted as I learned more about the consequences of American policies and interventions that they don’t tell you about in the evening news.
So I guess what I’m getting at is that back then, I didn’t say the pledge because part of me was beginning to question the reasons why it was (practically) compulsory. These days, I wouldn’t say it because I cannot in good conscience support imperialism.
Core memory unlocked
Oh man, I forgot about the singing!
I remember we were taught several patriotic songs in first and second grades; I distinctly remember “America the Beautiful”, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, and “My Country, 'Tis of Thee”. Each day the school would choose one of the songs and were forced to sing it immediately after reciting the pledge.
“I pledge allegiance,to the flag, …”
I was lucky. In school, I had more than one teacher say “y’know, you don’t have to say that. Especially if you’re from another nation.” So I just used the time to do homework late.
My high school homeroom teacher allowed me to stay quiet during the pledge, but still made me stand up and put my hand over my heart. In 11th grade I moved to a more conservative area of the state, but oddly enough they had more students who opted to stay seated and silent, and the teachers let me do the same.
It was around that time that I started feeling like there was something wrong with all the “America’s so great!” stuff we had been taught since 1st grade. I completely deprogrammed when I had the opportunity to work alongside people from all over the world, learn more about their culture, their family, become friends. I began to see the world differently, and my perspective shifted as I learned more about the consequences of American policies and interventions that they don’t tell you about in the evening news.
So I guess what I’m getting at is that back then, I didn’t say the pledge because part of me was beginning to question the reasons why it was (practically) compulsory. These days, I wouldn’t say it because I cannot in good conscience support imperialism.
Holly shit. They made you do this through high school. This was only a thing for me In elementary school. We had to sing too.
Core memory unlocked
Oh man, I forgot about the singing!
I remember we were taught several patriotic songs in first and second grades; I distinctly remember “America the Beautiful”, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, and “My Country, 'Tis of Thee”. Each day the school would choose one of the songs and were forced to sing it immediately after reciting the pledge.
Lol. Funny when they force first amendment violations.
You just unlocked a memory of singing!