I have always stood for the pledge, every morning since kindergarten.
But lately, both the pledge and National Anthem have become scrutinized platforms of protest. The most prominent example is the kneeling across the National Football League, infamously started by–the now unemployed–Colin Kaepernick.
Now, similar movements have popped up surrounding the pledge in classrooms. While professional athletes continue to rake in multi-million dollar salaries and social justice warriors continue to sleep peacefully in their first-world beds, the brave American men and women in uniform are fighting for our freedom, liberty and everything else the flag stands for.
Proponents of the protests will assert that the same Americans have also fought to preserve the First Amendment. Yes, you can say or protest anything you want. But just like how the First Amendment protects the use of derogatory language or obscene clothing, protesting the pledge is not an issue of if you can or cannot: it is an issue of if you should.
To me, the Pledge of Allegiance is not a vow of loyalty to our government but a verbal commitment to our Nation, made of We, the People, and its principles.
Protesters claim that the flag does not represent them. This is simply wrong. The flag has always been symbolic of our nation’s sovereignty and unity, 50 distinct stars compiled into one united banner.
People misunderstand that the flag is not a symbol of our government; it is a symbol of America’s ideals: what America strives to be.
By sitting, you are demonstrating that you do not believe in these ideals. Protests are not only inappropriate and immoral, but they are also too crude to be effective. Currently, they have done nothing but divide the nation further, polarizing each perspective.
There are countless other ways to protest such as letters to Congress or town hall meetings, all of which spark more effective conversation and result in less hatred.
Standing for the pledge simply shows that you not only believe in a country that strives to be “one nation,” “indivisible,” and a place where there is “liberty and justice for all,” but also that you respect those that have fought and died for the flag and its principles.
To the men and women who bravely serve our country, we thank you. Thank you for risking your lives for us, even though we did nothing to deserve it. Thank you.
