Just Stand Up!

Fifteen seconds, that's all it takes to show respect to the country. That doesn't sound so hard, does it? Try it. Stand up, face toward a flag, place your right hand over your heart, and repeat this pledge.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands: one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Sound familiar? Most Americans have The Pledge of Allegiance memorized, as it is said in schools across the country, at local events, or government meetings. Students here at Jamesville-DeWitt High School hear it on the announcements everyday, however, are students aware of why the Pledge of Allegiance is said in school?

"I don't think there's a point to saying The Pledge," says senior Rachel Smith. "My homeroom teacher (Mrs. Myers-Kelly) makes me stand, but doesn't force me to say it. I just don't understand why we need to say it." Freedom of speech grants Smith this right to not say the Pledge. However, is being unaware of the true meaning of the words a good enough excuse to not say it?

Originally written in 1892 by Baptist Minister, Francis Bellamy, the Pledge was created as a part of a celebration for the 400th Anniversary of Christopher Columbus reaching America. This Celebration of Columbus Day was held in schools across the country. In the United States, The New York state legislature was the first, in 1898, to pass a statute requiring schools to recite the pledge. By 1905, 19 states had passed laws on the school Pledge.

The Pledge over time has been modified on four occasions. The latest change was made in 1954, when the words "under god" were added. Many people see The Pledge to the flag is a way to show one's loyalty to the country. The flag represents the United States of America, so while saying the Pledge of Allegiance, facing a flag, with a right hand over his or her heart, those people believe he or she is actually showing their devotion to the country.

Although this seems like a process most people would be more than willing to follow, what happens if a person doesn't want to say the pledge, and doesn't understand its significance?

"I stopped saying the Pledge in middle school," says senior Shakera Kemp. "Some days I just don't feel like standing up." It seems as though just the idea of standing up every morning makes people unwilling to say the Pledge.

"I have a homeroom of sophomores," says English teacher Terri Skeele. "I make them all stand for The Pledge, however, I do not make them say the words. Last year, as freshman, they tried to refuse to at least stand during The Pledge. I told them they had to put their reason for not standing in writing, because I figured that it was just laziness. In the end, no one ever wrote me."

Even though homeroom teachers appreciate the effort from their students to at the very least stand for The Pledge, is there a school policy stating proper Pledge behavior? "We cannot require anyone to recite The Pledge," says J-DHS Principal Paul Gasparini. "However, students cannot be disrespectful while it is being said. We do not sanction kids for not saying it, and we don't force kids to stand up as long as they stay respectful."

It is clear, that many students are oblivious to why they have to stand up and say The Pledge every morning. Saying The Pledge is the least everyone can do to show respect to the country, and everything it has fought for. To think of all the privileges Americans have today because of the people that came before us, makes saying The Pledge seem more worthwhile. Laziness is no excuse for not saying the Pledge.