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Every morning during the second period announcements, a habit has quietly developed in the classroom. Conversations continue, students play games on their computers and others keep their heads down. What was once a shared routine among students in elementary school has now become background noise for our current distractions in life. I hope others are aware of what their unintentional protest to the pledge means.
Standing for the pledge is now seen as radical at our school. In the past, students have asked me why I stand every time, as if I were the one trying to prove a point. I respect every student's right if they have a specific reason not to stand; however, I believe it is in bad taste for others to remain seated simply because it is easier, because standing alone is scary or because they are busy doing something else. Despite the shifts in view towards the pledge, it is encouraging to know students like Eduardo Molina still stands.
“I stand up for the pledge of allegiance to show respect to the flag and those who served and sacrificed for this nation’s freedom. To me, it represents respect and loyalty towards the United States of America,” Molina said.
Former math teacher and current substitute, Steve Gehrig, is known for asking his students to stand and has had many discussions in his career of teaching on the symbolism behind standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
“In the Pledge of Allegiance, we do not pledge allegiance to a flag. To me, the Pledge of Allegiance is a statement of [faith and democracy in our country],” Gehrig said. He emphasizes that our freedoms of being able to go to a great school and live in a safe country are often taken for granted among students. “Reciting the pledge is an act of discipline and respect for the values of our country and those who paid the ultimate price to ensure that we can continue to enjoy them,” Gehrig added.
Our AP U.S. History and Civics teacher, Randy Litzenberger, stands for the pledge as an act of hope for the future.
“Though some choose not to stand for the pledge because they do not care for what our country has done in the past or in the present, I choose to stand for the pledge because I know what our country can be in the future. We must work hard to protect our sacred rights to vote, speak, and demand better representation for all Americans,” Litzenberger said. While Gehrig views the Pledge of Allegiance as an act of respect to the sacrifices and values that built our country, Litzenberger’s motivation is built from a prospectivist mindset. His commitment to the pledge is built on the potential, not nostalgia. He argues that standing can show hope and commitment to improving the nation rather than sitting in disappointment with our current problems.
The Supreme Court protects our right to petition, and sitting is a meaningful way to express our disapproval. But at Bellevue, most students are choosing the path of least resistance and laziness rather than trying to make a statement. Feeling embarrassed when standing is a completely valid emotion when you are up by yourself in class. However, I want the rest of the students to strive towards separating anxiety from activism.
I used to experience this feeling of fear at the start of the year when I would stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. It didn’t make sense to me why people would stare when I stood for values that have been instilled in me since I was a child. A few weeks later, I was luckily joined by junior Levi Nistler.
“When more people begin to honor and respect the flag and, in turn, our country and military, others will follow. I personally stand for the pledge because it is a reminder of freedom maintained by our millions of active-duty personnel and veterans, my dad and great grandpa being two of them,” Nistler said.
Our school has the power to unite and create a real culture shift if we face our fears of being alone at the start. The pledge is not mandatory, and neither should it be. I just ask if people sit, they at least have a good reason why.