Pledging Allegiance or Indifference?

By SHEA GANG

Every day at 9:45 a.m., Jericho students are asked to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. However, not all of them do. Over the past few years, many students and staff have reported a noticeable decrease in the number of students who actually participate during the Pledge of Allegiance. Some students have gone as far as not even stopping in the halls when it is played over the loudspeaker. But where has this lack of concern come from? Do students do it out of rebellion or because of indifference?

In a recent JerEcho survey about this topic, students revealed their opinions about the Pledge. When asked what should be required of students and staff when the Pledge is recited each morning, 63% of the 237 anonymous respondents said to stand, and 48% said to put their hand over their heart. However, only 20% said it should be required to recite the Pledge and 36% of respondents think that it should not be required at all. 

Additionally, the survey asked if students have noticed a change in the amount of participation during the Pledge of Allegiance over the past 2 years. Similar to staff members’ anecdotal reports, 43% of respondents reported also havaing seen a decrease in student participation.

However, this still doesn’t answer the question of why Jericho students are no longer as involved with the Pledge as they might once have been. 

Some students believe that the Pledge is needed now more than ever. Junior Joseph M. thinks the Pledge holds meaning that students should respect. “The Pledge definitely has a lot more significance to me now because it is really symbolic to me in current times since there is so much disrespect to our country and to our flag,” he said.

However, other students report feeling detached and impartial about pledging. One senior who wishes to remain anonymous said, “Some kids just don’t care enough to stand.”

Other high school students report often feeling so tired and stressed about their classes that when the Pledge is recited in the morning, they do not participate. Another anonymous senior said, “Some students just don’t stand because they don’t feel like it.”  

The “under God” phrase in the Pledge is another reason for lack of engagement. A survey respondent wrote in, “It’s kind of weird, especially for religious minorities and potentially those with religious trauma.”

Similarly, an anonymous senior said, “People may have religious reasons and their parents may forbid them from doing it.”  

Other students believe that this part of the Pledge is necessary “That’s the foundation America was built on,” one respondent wrote in on the survey.

This lack of participation frustrates some Jericho teachers who feel that not standing, reciting or even stopping in the hallways during the Pledge is disrespectful. Unfortunately, none who expressed this opinion would go on the record for this report.

French teacher Madame Kennedy feels that participating in the Pledge of Allegiance is very important and a necessary sign of respect. She said, “I am proud to be an American, and I like to show my pride in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.”

Madame Kennedy acknowledges that others may feel differently which can cause them to not participate in the Pledge. She added, “I think it’s human nature to criticize. I think we can all quickly criticize what’s wrong with our country, but I would challenge anyone to spend time living in a different country, and I think you might get a better perspective and appreciation.”

Madame Kennedy shared a proud memory. One day she was standing in the hallway just outside of her room at the beginning of her class. She was presently suprised when announcements started. She said, “When I walked in, everybody was standing up for the Pledge. I can happily say that the students in my class are very respectful.”