Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yes. So they don’t say the Lord’s Prayer.

But it’s public school in the US. So we say the Pledge of Allegiance.

What is the logic here?

Public school in the US = have to say PoA? Required by federal law? State law? Local regulations? Or just the schools?
If it were just the schools - what does it have to do with "in the US"? Does being in the US give the school more right to do so?

Being in the US matters here because we say the pledge for the US. Not for Canada. Not the pledge for Uganda. Not the pledge for Iceland.

I don’t quite understand what the issue is. What exactly is objectionable about saying the pledge? All the PPs just say it makes them uncomfortable, but don’t really specify why.

It is objectionable because it is emblematic of unvarnished, unquestioning nationalism. It is another indication of American culture brainwashing us with the constant flag/national anthem/military force symbols, parades, memorized speeches, etc., beginning in kindergarten, and it is ridiculous and dangerous. Nationalism is not the same as patriotism, and this is nationalism.

I can't even go to a sporting event or my kids' swim meet without seeing the flag and singing the national anthem. Why? (<-- That's a real question.)

The Pledge is based on the Bellamy "Pledge of Allegiance" which was conceived and promoted by James B. Upham as a campaign to instill the idea of American nationalism in students and to sell flags to public schools.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_Allegiance_(United_States)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellamy_salute

Not coincidentally, Hitler borrowed from aspects of U.S. nationalism for his own purposes.

There is no reason for children to pledge allegiance to a flag. None.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the take away here is that if I go to another country and I find any customs or practices creepy, weird or uncomfortable, that country should stop doing them to accommodate me. Got it.

At least you've got American Entitlement™ down pat.

You didn’t know? That’s how it works in Montgomery county now. This is why holidays and Halloween aren’t mentioned in schools anymore.

They're not? You don't say.

DP

Halloween is forbidden in my kid's Focus ES. Has been for over 6 years. Maybe it's celebrated in the wealthier areas?

There's a difference between "my kid's school doesn't celebrate Halloween" and ""Halloween isn't mentioned in my kid's school." I bet the kids talk about it plenty.

If kids are forced to say it, it becomes meaningless.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. So they don’t say the Lord’s Prayer.

But it’s public school in the US. So we say the Pledge of Allegiance.

No, actually, we don't. Or rather, in some schools, we do. In other schools, we don't.

I was born here and I do not pledge (promise) allegiance to any country or government. Under the Constitution and laws of the US and the State of Maryland, I am under no obligation to do so.

It is creepy brainwashing and students are within their rights to remain silent as it is being said.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the take away here is that if I go to another country and I find any customs or practices creepy, weird or uncomfortable, that country should stop doing them to accommodate me. Got it.

At least you've got American Entitlement™ down pat.

You didn’t know? That’s how it works in Montgomery county now. This is why holidays and Halloween aren’t mentioned in schools anymore.

They're not? You don't say.

DP

Halloween is forbidden in my kid's Focus ES. Has been for over 6 years. Maybe it's celebrated in the wealthier areas?

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it's part of the morning announcements. No, it's not required. Kids who want to stand and pledge, will do so. Kids who don't want to, aren't forced to. It's not a big deal to the kids and shouldn't be a big deal to the parents. Nothing to see here, move along.

This. I don't see it as a big deal. If you feel strongly that your kid shouldn't say it, I believe he/she can opt out. I'm fine with parents having that option, but I would not be fine with getting rid of the pledge completely.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So the take away here is that if I go to another country and I find any customs or practices creepy, weird or uncomfortable, that country should stop doing them to accommodate me. Got it.

At least you've got American Entitlement™ down pat.

You didn’t know? That’s how it works in Montgomery county now. This is why holidays and Halloween aren’t mentioned in schools anymore.

They're not? You don't say.

Anonymous wrote:So the take away here is that if I go to another country and I find any customs or practices creepy, weird or uncomfortable, that country should stop doing them to accommodate me. Got it.

At least you've got American Entitlement™ down pat.

You didn’t know? That’s how it works in Montgomery county now. This is why holidays and Halloween aren’t mentioned in schools anymore.

Yes, it's part of the morning announcements. No, it's not required. Kids who want to stand and pledge, will do so. Kids who don't want to, aren't forced to. It's not a big deal to the kids and shouldn't be a big deal to the parents. Nothing to see here, move along.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yes. So they don’t say the Lord’s Prayer.

But it’s public school in the US. So we say the Pledge of Allegiance.

What is the logic here?

Public school in the US = have to say PoA? Required by federal law? State law? Local regulations? Or just the schools?
If it were just the schools - what does it have to do with "in the US"? Does being in the US give the school more right to do so?

Being in the US matters here because we say the pledge for the US. Not for Canada. Not the pledge for Uganda. Not the pledge for Iceland.

I don’t quite understand what the issue is. What exactly is objectionable about saying the pledge? All the PPs just say it makes them uncomfortable, but don’t really specify why.

Lots of PP have explained. Most other countries don't have a pledge at all and if you are originally from one of those countries (I am, and am now a citizen), the idea of having to, on a daily basis, affirm my allegiance to this country is quite peculiar. Particularly if I were under 7 and didn't know what it meant.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yes. So they don’t say the Lord’s Prayer.

But it’s public school in the US. So we say the Pledge of Allegiance.

What is the logic here?

Public school in the US = have to say PoA? Required by federal law? State law? Local regulations? Or just the schools?
If it were just the schools - what does it have to do with "in the US"? Does being in the US give the school more right to do so?

Being in the US matters here because we say the pledge for the US. Not for Canada. Not the pledge for Uganda. Not the pledge for Iceland.

I don’t quite understand what the issue is. What exactly is objectionable about saying the pledge? All the PPs just say it makes them uncomfortable, but don’t really specify why.

There have been plenty of explanations.

Also, "we" don't say the pledge. Some people do. Some people don't. Everybody has their own reasons, either for saying it, or for not saying it.

Most kids in DD's class don't say the pledge. No fuss about that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yes. So they don’t say the Lord’s Prayer.

But it’s public school in the US. So we say the Pledge of Allegiance.

What is the logic here?

Public school in the US = have to say PoA? Required by federal law? State law? Local regulations? Or just the schools?
If it were just the schools - what does it have to do with "in the US"? Does being in the US give the school more right to do so?

Being in the US matters here because we say the pledge for the US. Not for Canada. Not the pledge for Uganda. Not the pledge for Iceland.

I don’t quite understand what the issue is. What exactly is objectionable about saying the pledge? All the PPs just say it makes them uncomfortable, but don’t really specify why.

Some people do not like their kids to be asked to say the same thing which is a bit ritual-like, every day, even if there is nothing wrong with the words.

Is that a good enough reason?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Yes. So they don’t say the Lord’s Prayer.

But it’s public school in the US. So we say the Pledge of Allegiance.

What is the logic here?

Public school in the US = have to say PoA? Required by federal law? State law? Local regulations? Or just the schools?
If it were just the schools - what does it have to do with "in the US"? Does being in the US give the school more right to do so?

Being in the US matters here because we say the pledge for the US. Not for Canada. Not the pledge for Uganda. Not the pledge for Iceland.

I don’t quite understand what the issue is. What exactly is objectionable about saying the pledge? All the PPs just say it makes them uncomfortable, but don’t really specify why.

Anonymous wrote:
Yes. So they don’t say the Lord’s Prayer.

But it’s public school in the US. So we say the Pledge of Allegiance.

What is the logic here?

Public school in the US = have to say PoA? Required by federal law? State law? Local regulations? Or just the schools?
If it were just the schools - what does it have to do with "in the US"? Does being in the US give the school more right to do so?