The United States of America, land of the free. In this piece, I ask you to read with an open mind of my opinion concerning the Pledge of Allegiance. I am junior Sophia Bianco, and I am a proud American who hopes to instill similar pride within my readers. I stand, put my right hand on my heart and recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag every day. It is an incredibly heartwarming feeling when everyone, at once, mimics the same action at the same time. It brings our school together as a community. With this piece, I hope to inspire you to join this show of unity and embrace this feeling each morning at Hillsborough High School.
HHS Student/Parent Handbook states, “No student may be required to recite the pledge, stand, otherwise profess respect for the flag or be sanctioned for declining to do so.” Respect is not an option, but something that is already within each and every one of us. Everyone united in standing for the values and symbolism in our flag. Standing up for the Pledge of Allegiance is acknowledgement to the beauty that is woven into our flag. Standing up amplifies appreciation for the U.S Army, Military and all our First Responders who fight to protect us everyday. It also offers respect to those around you, including the very person right next to you. Despite all strong beliefs and various perspectives towards the flag, I aim for all to come to an accord for one belief that we all can stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Protected by the First Amendment, we the people have every right to freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government. We may stand to hold a common courtesy for all who live in America no matter their values. Our flag symbolizes a united nation full of opportunity. No one has to live up to anyone’s beliefs except their own, but I suggest that we stand up for the beliefs of others, which includes standing up for the flag. No one should feel obligated to say promises they do not wish to profess, but they also should opt out of standing for our country just because peers may not be standing or worse keep chatting during the pledge. Our very own Principal of Hillsborough High School, Jeffery DiLollo, chooses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. “It unites us and that we all should just have respect for each other. I feel like respect is overlooked,” he said.
The Pledge is a script we have been saying since elementary school. It is only appropriate to continue to show acknowledgement to our flag. Everything has a reason and the reason for the Pledge of Allegiance is to unite all people of our high school to take a moment into honoring one another and the beautiful country we live in. How lucky are we to be educated? How lucky are we to have the privilege of speaking loudly in public settings? How lucky we are to be whomever we want to be? How lucky are we to have a dream in a world where chaos roams and violence follows? I encourage all of you to stand up when our morning announcements begin reciting our pledge.
You may not agree with me, and that is ok. That’s the beauty of our country, but if you do, stand with me. Stand with me because the pledge is for you, for your family, and for our country. The United States of America, the land of the free.
