Saturday, June 20, 2009
Whose right of freedom of speech are we observing?
The issue of freedom of speech in the school system is not a new issue. When students refuse to participate in observing a moment of silence by observing their right to freedom of speech , raises the issue of infringement upon other student's freedom of speech to observe the moment of silence. However, when students refuse to participate in reciting the pledge and saluting the flag by exercising their right to freedom of speech, does this infringe upon other individuals rights? I believe that children who want to recite the pledge and salute the flag should be allowed to do so because it is their right as Americans. I also believe that children should be allowed to observe the moment of silence because all children should be allowed to exercise their right to freedeom of speech. The sticky issue comes about when one person is exercising their right to freedom of speech and it infringes upon another person's right to exercise their right to freedom of speech. Therefore, should the pledge be recited by all students in all systems? I believe yes, it should. If you are an American citizen and attend an American school, then it should be required. However, if a child is not an American citizen and does not feel comfortable about saluting the flag and reciting the pledge, that should be allowed as well, as long as the children who are not participating are not being disrespectful, then it should not be an issue. If they do not want to hear the pledge, they should be allowed to step into the hallway until it is over. This same principle should be applied to observing a moment of silence. Students who want to observe the moment of silence should be allowed to; otherwise, why do the ones who are in disagreement with an issue always win and force others to agree with their beliefs although they are infringing upon the rights of other students.
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When I was in high school during the Vietnam War, my older sister had friends who were killed fighting over there. We did not agree with the war. Our right not to pledge was our free speech in action. We could still be Americans and disagree, and we showed that disagreement with our government's insistence on fighting by not saluting the flag. It was very American.
ReplyDeleteThere were bumper stickers back then that read: America, love it or leave it. How can such an attitude lead to our country's growth? Just because a person doesn't agree with everything someone else does doesn't mean he doesn't love. In fact, disagreeing and caring can show much love! And, you need to be able to show that love and disagreement, not be forced to walk away....
I have family and friends that have served in past wars and are currently at war as well (WWII, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom. I have numerous family and friends that are/were in the service. As far as war goes, do I agree with it? There are powers higher than me that are making these decisions; I have no control over that.
ReplyDeleteWhile every life is honorable, it is a humbling experience attending a funeral of a soldier. I even witnessed one at Arlington when I was there with a group of kids touring. While I did not know that particular soldier, I think I acquired a newfound respect and and idea of what the flag represented.
I feel that an oath or a pledge is recited to show respect, whether that be to your community or to the nation. I think it shows respect for all who have chosen to protect the rights and priviledges we so freely exercise here in the U.S.
I do not disagree with you about respect for the symbols of our nation and for our men and women in the armed forces. My father served in two wars; WWII and the Korean War. I respect our soldiers and what they do. What was happening in the late 1960s is not what is happening today and was not what was happening during WWII or the Korean War. If I protest a war, I am not protesting the soldiers who are there risking their lives; they deserve 100% support in funding and morale. I am protesting governmental policies. And I think that we each do have a role in the control of those policies when we exercise our right to vote and to speak up and agree or disagree!
ReplyDeleteI have just caught up on The Colbert Report as the show went to entertain troops in Iraq. Nothing is more wonderful than seeing those young men and women. I respect them, I admire them, and I hope they all come home safely, and soon.
When a person chooses to not salute the flag, is it our Governmental Leaders who are witnessing this? Are they seeing all individual American citizens, and understanding that they are not saluting the flag because they are opposed to the decisions they are making?
ReplyDeleteGovernmental Leaders are going to make choices based on policy, past and present laws. For those who truly want to voice their freedom of speech, comments should be directly voiced to the Congress, the State and National Leaders who are making these decisions.
I think in a public setting, when you opt to not salute the flag, it can be deemed as disrespect for our soldiers and our country. The Congress and Government officials are not around us to witnesss this; however, the family and friends of soldiers are.
I do think that the flag is a symbol of our freedom, and represents the efforts put forth by our armed forces to maintain that freedom; not a symbol of our support for war.I know some soldiers themselves who do not agree with the war, yet they are still overseas protecting this nation. To me, reciting our pledge and saluting the flag shows loyalty to the country in which I am a citizen.
We can't change the past; only look towards the future. "United We Stand; Divided We Fall", I think is a very appropriate saying in support for our country. :)