Liberty and Justice for All?

           Do we have to say the Pledge each morning at the beginning of our school day? In class last week, we talked about this and how it is ones protected right to refuse to say the Pledge for any reason i.e. belief, religious, political. Yet, my advisory is required to stand, whether or not we would like to recite the Pledge. Do I have the right to refuse to stand? Yes. But will I get reprimanded if I do not stand? Yes. This also brings up the topic of the influence of authority. Mr. Bolos shared the story of his daughter refusing to say the pledge during school, then having a gym teacher come up to her and telling her the reasons he says the pledge. Immediately after hearing this my jaw dropped. I thought to myself, how could a teacher, an authority, share his opinions so aggressively at a time in ones life when their own opinions and thoughts are being constructed and formed? There is always someone above you who can easily have a big impact on your thoughts. For example, young children tend to promote their parents beliefs, such as their political views as to whether they claim to be democratic or republican.
          Authority is also the reason, as my advisor explained to us, that we have to stand for the pledge every morning. She discussed with us how her brother had traveled to a country in the Middle East, and when their "pledge" was recited wherever they were, everyone immediately stood up as a sign of respect, otherwise there may have been a serious punishment. But, again, why would we have to stand to say the pledge? I mean, we aren't half way around the world in a different country. We have many more protected rights here. One year after Obama had been in office, Will Phillips took the nation by surprise. This 10-year-old boy refused to say the pledge because he does not agree with the lines of the pledge, "With liberty and justice for all." Phillips says he "won't say the pledge until gays and lesbians have equal rights." After refusing to stand for four days he was sent to the principle. When watching the interview on CNN with Phillips he seems to have already formed his own opinions as just a 10-year-old. I could not believe the analysis he had put into every word of the pledge of allegiance because when I was his age, I just knew the pledge as part of my daily routine in the morning. Do most kids these days realize the words they are saying as being significant to them or, like me, do they just say the pledge as their daily routine in the morning? (check out an article about Phillips as well as an interview from CNN with him and his father). Is it right for adults to require children to recite the pledge when most, in fact, may not understand the fulling of meaning of it?
           Also, there was a poll taken referencing what others think about the article about Will Phillips refusing to say the pledge: Should students be allowed to abstain from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance? Out of 119, 019 votes, 49% said, "Absolutely not. That would be disrespectful of our nation." This had just outnumbered the 46% who said, "Yes, if it conflicts with the students beliefs." While only 5% said, "Only in private school. Public school students should recite the pledge." Does it matter whether one goes to a public school or private school? Though I have never been to private school, rules and regulations may be different or stricter depending where and what school, but we still have the right to free speech under the first amendment. No matter what kind of school, I believe that students should be able to "stand up" for what they believe in, and be respected for that. Students should not have to face any pressure around them because of what they believe.