This is gonna be a short post. So I (16) refuse to stand for the pledge of allegiance because I’ve been seeing everything that’s been going on in my country and I’ve felt ashamed of what my country’s become. And according to Google to pledge allegiance means to make a solemn promise of loyalty and devotion to a person, organization, or country. It is a public and formal declaration that you will be faithful and true to the entity you are pledging to. I just can’t bring myself to do it. Im looking for advice because some of my classmates are giving me dirty looks and whispering about me when Im not even 5 feet from them. I just don’t know what to do and if this is the wrong subreddit then I apologize for wasting your time
AITA for not standing for the pledge of allegiance?
r/AITAH
Comments
NTA
The pledge is fucking weird
So, what pledge to what allegiance are you referring to?
It doesn’t even actually matter, no-one should be coerced into swearing allegiance to anything, especially at your age.
NTA.
It’s a good way to make a peaceful political statement.
YTA- but America is about freedom and you have the right to do whatever you want. May I ask what you think is wrong with the country? Because it’s wayyyy better than majority of other counties.
NTAH. Just be ready to state clearly and calmly WHY.
I don’t do the pledge for exactly the reasons you listed. What I’ve found to be an acceptable compromise is to just stand during it. I don’t recite it. I don’t put my hand over my heart. I haven’t gotten bad looks that I’ve noticed since I went to that action. I stand as a sign of respect to those around me.
It would be respectful but not mandatory for you to stand. You do not have to recite the pledge. Many brave soldiers fought and died for your rights in this matter. You do what you need to do but you have to consider the peer pressure consequences. Stand or not. It’s up to you.
Nope
NTA. It’s great that you are exercising your rights under the 1st Amendment. Unfortunately, your exercise of that right is not without consequence. Others can likewise exercise their rights of free expression and association and exclude you from their private activities and to limit their interaction with you to that required by instructors and coaches.
You’re a dumbass, go to a 3rd world dictatorship
NTA. You are under no obligation do so and those trying to force you are far more unAmerican thank you who is using your free speech.
I did this back in the early 2011s, I think it was, and my teacher yelled and threatened me that her brother was in the military and she didn’t deal with the disrespect….. I had a broken leg
I stand for the pledge, but I won’t put my hand on my heart and I won’t say it. I’m not that patriotic, and I refuse to pretend. It doesn’t matter to me who the people in government are. That’s what I do. There’s no need to sit down and make a spectacle. No one cares about your political beliefs any more than they care about mine. Just stand out of respect for others and be silent.
You may want to consider educating your peers about the origins of the pledge, the religious changes made to it, and the fact that the only other countries who force their youth to pledge allegiance are communist.
NTA
Not reciting the Pledge is protected free speech under the First Amendment, according to the Supreme Court in *1943*. Nothing we can do about the dirty looks and whispers, but if you keep at it, maybe someone will join you. I bet there’s someone thinking about it. You’re not alone, even if it feels that way
Me and a classmate did this in middle school. Our teacher asked us why, we both said we refuse to say “under god” because of the separation of church and state, plus we weren’t religious
When I do the pledge, I don’t think so much of all the garbage going on in this country. I think of my great uncles who fought on WWII and were almost killed. I think of what the country is supposed to be – the American dream of it all – not what it actually is.
Freedom of expression
Background about me: I’m an Active Duty (6 years, signed for 5 more) servicemember, and very right wing on the political spectrum.
Quick explination for how I view the pledge: The pledge is not a pledge towards America, and the current state it is now. The pledge is meant to be dedicated to the idea of America, and what it would be in a perfect world. So inherrently, not evil.
Why people (usually right wing kids) are mad at you for not standing: They view you as not being patriotic towards America. (this is your right) They view it as disrespectful to the men and women who have served our country/the flag (silly and baseless accusation)
Are You The Asshole?: No, as a soldier, I fight for your rights as a sovereign citizen of the United States. Choosing not to stand for the flag is protected by the constitution, and is your right.
Edit: Convincing kids from a young age to say words they have nearly no ability to comprehend at a young age is stupid.
Veteran here – pledging allegiance to a flag is bizarre. I don’t do it. Depending on where I am if others are doing it, I might or might not stand up. You don’t need to participate if you don’t want to.
YTA
If you’re in the US, your decision to participate in the Pledge, or not, is constitutionally protected. As long as you’re respectful of others’ choices and don’t make a whole scene of it, you are NTA.
Tell your classmates that if they value freedom of speech, they’re not currently acting nearly as patriotically as they think they are.
NTA You do need to accept that people will be upset with for not participating. It is a big thing for most people. If standing and joining in the pledge is a betrayal of your values then be of good courage and follow your heart. However, accept the consequences of other people taking about and at you.
US students have legal protections so they don’t have to stand for the pledge if they don’t want to.
NTA. People died for your rights and it isn’t a “right” if you don’t have a choice.
You can stand, or not stand, for the pledge of allegiance which is your right. That’s the beauty of the US.
NTA – I won’t do it either.
NTA. I used to do the same thing when I was in HS. It’s a little form of protest IMO, and totally valid. Stick to your guns dude, morals matter
You’re absolutely NTA. Your peers that judge you are AHs. We have been so brainwashed into thinking that the Pledge was patriotic, that it showed us as Americans. Then we’d see the media and politicians demonizing N Korea for doing the same thing: citizens standing and pledging their oath to their country. It’s bizarre, actually.
I’m not pledging an oath to this country, and especially not while DJT breathes. You have principles and morals. You’ve given me hope that maybe your generation will have a future worth living.
Nope. Reciting it is culty and weird.
That being said, you are going to get dirty looks from teachers and potentially they may grade you on a less lenient scale because they see you as a contrarian.
NTA but it is kinda cringe.
Just don’t kneel, it’s a sign of subservience. The only creature that shows a vulnerable act as a defiance is cats, you’re not a cat. Kneeling is subservience. I don’t know how a subservient action got pushed to be a political stunt meaning the exact opposite of what the action symbolizes.
NTA. It’s weird that we do this in the first place. You’re a phenomenally insightful teenager who doesn’t mindlessly follow the rote logic of the common.
Be very proud of yourself for using your mind, finding your own path and keeping with your standards. Bravo! I say. 🙌🏼✌🏼
NTA. I didn’t when I was in high school and I don’t now as a parent to school children.
No, stick to your beliefs.
You must live in the south. No one in my schools stands for the pledge. Sorry your peers are doing that. More people than you think aren’t standing for the pledge. NTA
I always thought the pledge was weird. I would just stand as they said it and it never drew attention. You shouldn’t feel peer pressured to anything you don’t want to do but it’s also ok to make sure you feel comfortable.
I stopped standing for the pledge back in 2014 when I was 14 you’re NTA.
I say the Pledge, but you’re fine: you do you
it’s corny; the Anthem at a football doesn’t make any sense to me either
I don’t agree with mindless nationalism;
I hate the Democrats; I despise the Republicans;
I fear my government and don’t much care for most of my cable-news-watching neighbors.
a lot of evil things have been done by Americans in the name of our flag; oh well
but the Pledge is my prayer to myself:
to rededicate myself to first principles,
to remind myself of my ideal self,
to refocus on freedom and our Constitution,
and to remember to resist and argue against all the grubby, self-serving, autocratic, opportunistic, grifting voters, politicians, bureaucrats, karens, and insiders who take every chance to twist and subvert our founding documents
NTAH in my opinion tho I feel like if you don’t like the country you live in go another one. Your right are protected here to make the choice to not say it. Try doing that in Iran, China, or Russia and see how it goes for you.
100% NTA!! It’s the right thing and the pledge of allegiance is just creepy.
Yes
Teacher here. We do the flag salute every morning. I let my students know they don’t have to stand or say the pledge, but they need to be quiet/respectful while others participate.
It’s your right not to say the pledge of allegiance. I don’t see the problem as long as you’re not be disruptive.
NTA. what you’re doing takes a lot of courage. It breaks my heart that there is not very much to be proud of our country anymore. I’m a vet and I took my oath very seriously, still do. I no longer say the pledge. I have a 17 year old son and it pains me to know that our country has failed our children in the worst way.
Good way to get much needed self attention
Nta, it’s free speech.
There is no law against it. You don’t have to stand for it. But it doesn’t mean you aren’t an asshole.
NTA. You do not have to stand for the Pledge.
In 2004, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals held that students are also not required to stand for the Pledge.
What is going on in the country that you don’t like so much?
You are not required to stand for the pledge to the flag. It is your prerogative.
You mean you are not going to pledge allegiance to the deep state and join the military as an eighteen year old and be sent off to kill innocent foreigners so the billionaires can rape their resources? Never mind there has been plenty of volunteers that have been propagandized that will serve their country.
If I recall the expectation is that everyone is to stand for the pledge, but you dont have to say it. That was 15 years ago in my high school policies
Here’s a saying for you….”If you aren’t part of the solution, then you are part of the problem. ” If there is something you feel is unjust, then do something about it. Volunteer at an animal shelter or a soup kitchen. We have enough people who refuse to stand ( and just complain about how bad things are— check out manyof the comments), what we need is good people who can make changes, no matter how small. I believe you could be one of those needed people
When the country is trying to establish and abide by liberty and justice For ALL
I will consider standing. Until then, I’ll leave the room praying not to vomit
Reddit losers are gonna agree with you and give you the validation you obviously crave
I never would stand for the pledge unless I was bored. Not for any reason really other than I just thought it was corny and didn’t want to do it if I didn’t have to. Nobody ever said anything in all the years of schooling. But I would be the only person sitting down. until like half the year is over then a few others would stop doing it as well.
I won’t do it unless we get our country back
absolutely NTA. You are acttually smart and should keep standing up for your political opinion.
pledge of allegiance is definitely a brain washing thing that happens in USA schools… I remember when I was 12 yo and went to the USA to study and learn english … how bizarre it was to see all the brainwashing that happens in public united statian schools!
not only the weekly flag thing, but also all the talk about “we are the best country in the world!” ” the saviours of the world” ” the leaders and agents of democracy”… while they had zero world history classes and only 3 months of geography in 8th and 9th grade (!?) I found all that extremely bizarre at the time and still do!
In my country I remember having the flag going up while we stand in lines, being forced to put our hands over our heart and sing the hymn of the flag … that was some of the remnants of our dictatorship decades… no one does any of that anymore.
NTA and I admire your courage!
With that said, these are times when being underground can be an effective strategy. Look up 1930s Germany and Italy and neighbors getting neighbors targeted for deportation, concentration camps, and worse. I resisted those comparisons for a while because I live for precision, but finally gave in during the last round with this cowardly psychopath in control, and he and his puppeteers are moving at express speed right now.
It’s also worth protecting yourself (and your family) by staying undercover, especially at your age. I say let us older folks take the public fight for now; there are millions and millions of us in it, and we have far less to lose than you do.
But again, you have reasons to be proud. I love your logic and your ethics and your profound patriotism, far deeper than those who just go along to get along! Our job in a democratic republic is to always be vigilant and always be critical, especially of those we voted for, though lately, that especially goes for those we voted against, too.
NTA I’m a retired teacher and fully support your right to not participate in the Pledge. I sometimes had students who chose not to stand. Fine with me.
Yes, you’re an asshole
NTA To thine own self be true. Don’t pledge to something if it makes you feel like you’re lying to yourself. What good is an empty pledge? Plus, theoretically anyway, the pledge is a voluntary thing.
From outside of the US it just seems like a cult indoctrination thing.
I don’t recite it, I still stand, but I won’t pledge my allegiance to a country activlely trying to take my rights. So NTAH
It’s not easy right now. There is a lot of confusion when it comes our current state of affairs. You can love your country but you don’t have to love the people running it right now. Use this as an impetus to help improve what is happening. Become involved in your community and in your school. Make that firm commitment to yourself and your country and you’ll feel a lot better about yourself and your country! I wish you all the best!!! Believe me you’re not alone! That I can guarantee you! Say the pledge and be proud of your country and know that you can make a difference!! Best Wishes!!
Unfortunately, this is the price people sometimes pay for sticking to their beliefs. You have every right to avoid standing. Others will give you side eye. I had a high school student.”Nathan,” who refused to stand for The Pledge. I said nothing to him about it, as that was his right. Like you, he got side eye (but no comments in class), and one student got very upset about it. His mom called me, very angry. I explained to her and her son that students have every right to remain seated, and I couldn’t and wouldn’t make anyone stand for The Pledge if they didn’t want to. Then I moved the upset kid to a seat near the front of the room so he wouldn’t have to look at Nathan.
NTA. Good luck to you.
NTA. I’m Scottish and most of us look on in bewilderment at this ridiculous indoctrination you guys have in schools.
NTA, but you can’t stop them from judging you. The way I understand it – correct me if I’m wrong – every class in the USA does this pledge to the flag thing, and it’s normal to stand up for it. (In Germany this Idea would be considered quite strange). So when you don’t stand up, you will stand out. And when you stand out there are two kinds of people who will judge you for it: those who want everyone to fall in line, and those who do fall in line and don’t want to question that.
In today’s USA the situation is of course even more loaded. You might be considered “woke” , “communist”, “enemy of America” and whatnot. So if you don’t care for everybody’s approval and if honesty and authenticity are important for you, then be one of those who stand up against this Zeitgeist – by not standing up for the pledge of alliance.
Good for you! In two years you will be able to vote
NTA.
Stand…well..in this case, sit for your freedoms.
The many, many, many people that have DIED for this country and pledged their life for it, are rolling over in their grave. You little ingrate. You have free speech, but that is ONLY because of the people that DIED FOR YOU TO HAVE IT.
Nah it’s your choice to stand or not. It’s their choice to judge you if you don’t. That’s what happens when you take a stand no matter what it is.
Do you happen to live in a red state?
I git kicked out of class multiple times for not standing and saying it every day
LMAO, picture checks out
Nta. Soldiers fought and died to protect your right to sit, among other things
Yes. Only read the title and didn’t need to read your bull shit reasoning.
Nope. I’m 55 and I’m done with standing for the pledge. And I live in Texas where we also have a Texas pledge. 🙄🙄🙄🙄
HUGE NTA,
You are under no legal obligation. However, the unwritren social contract is ficle and a matter of perspective more often than not. So you have to choose to accept the backhand talk and maybe even ostracization if you wish to make your political statement. Just be glad you live in a country with a First Amendment that allows you to do so.
I suggest you review your history more closely. You will find that thousands have died for this country and it you hate it that much, feel free to move to one that you do like.
You can stand, just don’t recite the pledge. Even those from foreign lands stand.
What I would suggest is an approach to school or a parent. Say you don’t want to do it, it makes you uncomfortable. You don’t wish to attract attention either. What options are open to you and other students who feel as you that can be given?
Pledge is propaganda, I wouldn’t stand for it if I were in school today.
Asking this question on Reddit, you’re gonna get a HEAVILY skewed answer.
I’ve never stood for the pledge or allegiance, nor sang the national anthem my whole life
if you are doing it to have integrity, then you can not be concerned with how others feel about it
Nope. You’re not. Among other things, it’s freedom of speech and also might be against your religious practices (it is for me). NTA.
Nope NTA. I refused to stand for it starting in middle school and never have since then.
I’m retired from the US Army. Despite my personal feelings, I am glad that you are able to exercise your 1st amendment rights that I swore to support and defend.
You’re promising loyalty and devotion to the country ….not to its leaders…
I do not stand at the games I go to, nor do I make my kids stand.
Oh no are they doing that in schools again? I had pledge in the mornings when I was in middle school but that was mid to late 90s.
If you’re forced to stand (which is another problem, sitting during the pledge is a protected right just like sitting or kneeling during the american anthem at sports games-), just do look up some of the old silly versions of the pledge most of us millennials did instead.
-some of it can be fought in court and get schools in trouble, but if your parents don’t have the means for an attorney or organizations like the aclu can’t help you, remember- highschool is temporary. Sometimes you just need pretend to follow the rules enough to get out.
I refuse to stand for it or acknowledge it. Once upon a time, I absolutely would always stand. Now, there’s no way.
I had a teacher in middle school whose husband was deployed for the whole school year. She wouldn’t make us speak. But she did insist on everyone standing out of respect for the troops. And she would send you to the office if you refused. Her logic was, if these men and women are willing to die under it, then you should show respect for them by standing for it.
NTA Im a teacher any good teacher will address this. My speech at the beginning of the year is basically we all think differently. I was raised to recite the pledge and I will, you may choose if you want to. However, I will not put up with disrespect either way, we will honor each other decisions. If I had student doing that to you I would handle it there is no need for disrespect toward you.
i stopped standing for the pledge once trump was first added to the ballot lmao they can’t do shit
NTA. My youngest has refused to stand to say the pledge since 2nd grade and I fully support that.
Yeah, you’re an asshole. Constitutionally protected right to be one tho.
West Virginia v. Barnette
NTA I didn’t stand for the pledge either in school (early 2000s). Nobody cares
I’m a teacher and I don’t say the pledge. OK, liberty and justice for all my booty!
Think about the men and women that served in wars and stand up and do it. You’ve been groomed to be a country hating liberal
Veteran here:
If you don’t want to, don’t stand.
We put on a uniform to make sure everyone has the right to make that choice for themselves.
I’d also suggest considering what you think your community is or should be. And work to make it more in line with that. I put on the uniform to defend freedoms, and my country looks nothing like what I was raised to believe in these days, if I keep only to the news.
It is often in the small acts, in daily kindnesses, in shared moments of community that kindle the most important sparks of change.
May you have good luck, deep sleep, and enough conviction to help you weather the events broadcast on the news these days.
YTA