The Pledge of Allegiance

 By Demetri Thomas

When I was twelve years of age, I decided to stop standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. No one told me to or was anything put in my head to. I was going off of my own beliefs. But, there is always someone that has a problem with someone not standing.

Lately, there has been an issue in the National Football League due to players deciding to take an knee during the national anthem to protest against the social injustice in America. Honestly, what are they doing that’s wrong? They’re trying to use their position of power as athletes to make people aware of what is going on. So instead of firing players for choosing to use their freedom of speech to make people aware of things, how about you stop talking about them not standing and talk about the issues they’re taking a knee for. But of course, that doesn’t happen.

This is America am I correct? On December 15, 1791, The Bill of Rights were ratified into American history. In it contained ten amendments. One of which holds the most powerful ruling in the American history: The First Amendment. In it says the following:

Amendment I

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

The first amendment basically give us the right to not stand for the pledge of allegiance under freedom of speech. The government can not make any law forcing any citizen of the United States to stand for the pledge. So what gives the NFL the right to fire players for taking a knee? I’ll be honest, I’m not a football guy. I’m a hockey and wrestling fan. But although I am not a big fan of football, I take the sides of the players that are taking a knee.

At the beginning of this, I spoke on how at age twelve I decided to stop standing for the pledge of allegiance. I believe that one has the right to not stand for the pledge of allegiance. Even if they’re born in this country, they have the right not to. You can not make them stand for your beliefs.

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

There are three parts of the pledge of allegince that basically sums up a small part of my reason for not standing for the pledge.

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America”

I shall never pledge allegiance to a country that once whipped and chained my ancestors. That skins and hangs innocent people. That wouldn’t give a women a chance. That can’t seem to let the same sex love each other. A history that is so fucked up that I can explain everything. That itself is the main reason why I wont stand for this country no matter what.

“One Nation Under God”

America is definitely not entirely under a god. I myself am an atheist. I don’t believe in a god. For something that is supposed to represent a nation, putting in that one line divides a country.

“with liberty and justice for all”

Okay, do I really have to explain this part. Since when in all of American history has there been liberty and justice for all? Because just in my lifespan of eighteen years, I’ve seen so many people murder with very heavy evidence and the person that did it still gets away with it. There is no true justice in the country therefore liberty is none.

 

There are many more things that I have to say about the “Pledge of Allegiance” that I will speak on more soon. Take a breather, and think. What exactly have I just said? Please, let me know what you think by tweeting me on Twitter @DemetriThomasX or even leaving an anonymous message. I want to hear what you have to say. Even if you disagree with me, let me hear it. Thank you for reading.