Readers (Really) React: Should Students Recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Last week, Hudson Patch asked readers whether or not students should be required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. 

In Wisconsin, as well as most states classrooms in public schools are required to offer the pledge or the National Anthem daily, but students are not required to actually stand up and recite it.

Hudson Patch receive nearly 50 responses to the question on Facebook. Readers also responded in the article itself.

Here are a some highlights of what people in the Hudson community had to say: 

Stacy: Yes, you don't like it? Get out! You love the freedom this country represents but have no patriotism? That's what's wrong with this country!

Tim: Unquestionably yes...even the "under God" part. As a not-very-religious type myself, it's still important to acknowledge that this great nation was founded on the basis of freedom of (not necessarily from) religion.

Pledging allegiance to the nation and its symbolic flag does not necessarily endorse the ruling party...in fact one could argue just the opposite.

Angela: Students can't be forced to legally. It's against some people's religious beliefs as well. I'm not against saying the pledge but people have the right to not say it too.

Jessi: If they want to let them, if not, they do not have to. Adults always tell kids follow your own choices, let this be another time they choose. I grew up saying it in elementary and middle school, some of my great friends were from Muslim and Hindus, and came to the USA when they were very young and they said the pledge because they didn't care about religion, but because they love the United States. When it came to saying "under god" there were many the skip over it, or even changing under god to under gods. We were not forced to stand and say the pledge, no one was criticized for not saying it, and I remember a handful never saying it, they would do whatever for what, 2 minutes it took to say.

Robert: I think people should have a choice of what school they send their kid too. If saying the pledge is important to you...pick one that does. This is a false choice question. It presupposes certain facts and presents the choice between saying it or not, rather than should we be able to choose an institution that mirrors our values?

Jordan: Absolutely. I grew up with it and I'd like it if my son would grow up with it too! What's wrong with honoring our country? I don't really think it has anything to do with religion even though they mention God.. get over it people.

Brian: If we don't do it in school and then it becomes absent at sporting events, what will our country as a people have to hold onto as a group of Americans? The National Anthem is definitely the best way our people feel ONE with each other as a Country of Individuals. I get goose bumps every time I hear the National Anthem. It must be an everyday teaching with an option of participation.

Gayle: Having grown up reciting it every morning at the beginning of the school day from K-6 ... I wonder if we got so used to the exercise that it became less patriotically symbolic and more of a task. I believe that school assemblies and special occasions warrant pledging our allegiance. Perhaps a periodic "patriots" lesson in the classroom would make it more meaningful for kids. Just my two cents ... I'm certainly not against it being done more frequently, simply questioning whether it desensitizes us.

Amy: Students do have a choice--always have. No one is forced to recite the pledge.

Barb: Absolutely YES, everyday, all the way from kindergarten to high school graduation!


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