I say the pledge everyday minus the "Under God" part. I am an Atheist and don't believe in God and I think it should be taken out of the pledge. America does NOT have an official religion and it shouldn't come across that way in our pledge. I agree with everything you said about the pledge and I'm not sure why we should say it. But if we must say it, I refuse to say "Under God"
I stopped doing the pledge in high school. Never got in trouble, I don't think anyone should get forced to do it. Although, if one wants to do it, I have nothing against it.
I'd have to agree with what you said. Ever since middle school I came out as an atheist and would sub in "...under SCIENCE..." loudly, instead of "...under god..." Truthfully, I never got in trouble for doing this. I believe I must live in the 30% of the states that the teachers wouldn't punish you because I had friends that refused to stand and they never had any problems.
I think everyone who wants to get more into this topic should read Hero Type by Berry Lyga, its a really good book and it deals alot with this topic and quick fact, in america it is frowned upon to sho disrespect to our flag but not to other countries flags but in most other countries you can show disrespect to your own flag all you want, but if you disrespect the countries that are allies with your country, its bad... I personally think that makes more sense
When I was little, I did what I was told and said the pledge. Once I figured out what it all ment, I decided I didn't like it and I'd just move my lips during the pledge to avoid getting in trouble, yet I didn't say it.
In middle school we read a book about the issue with whether or not it should be required to say the pledge. Now in high school, the person that does the morning announcements says it, but no one ever says it and only about half the kids actually stand up and put their hand over their heart.
@pixle555 Ummmm no.... It was written by a man during Columbus' anniversary fir finding america... Not during the cold war.
And I def think that the pledge is just a way of sorta telling our country, thank you for being the way you are. U ARE entitled to your own opinion but, why wouldn't you be thankful that our country" one nation, under God, indivisible, with freedom and justice"? And btw it IS all this things. SOOO, u might disagree but I'll stand by my countries flag and salute it whenev
I actually have no idea what the pledge of allegiance says but I'm pretty sure it was brought in during the cold war under the belief that it would stop communism in america because all students pledged to their country or something like that, is that true?
I'm Canadian, so I don't have much of an opinion on the pledge.
And, yes, we sing our national anthem, but only in the lower grades. Once you go higher, less and less people sing, and then eventually no one sings anymore.
Though I'm Canadian, I attended college in FL for 2 years and during that time I learned the bits of the pledge of allegiance that I hadn't known before. There were some who didn't agree with saying the pledge, but they would just stand. Obviously the profs were ok with it, seeing as College is different from elementary and high school. My first year I didn't recite it, and my second year I did, just for the experience.
oh and it's true that in Canada we sing our anthem in school everyday :)
I love that. @navergnide - you're one of the smart ones.
It's brainwashing.The same kids who are fighting in Iraq/Afghanistan are raised to believe their country is superior, and coupled with the concept of manifest destiny and the prison/military-industrial complex, it's creating a generation of zealous Crusader/world policeman types who think they can do no wrong.
And then Americans wonder why brown people keep shooting at them.
At my school, yes we recited the Pledge of Allegiance. But for 2 1/2 years I did not. My middle school years I started the morning in band class. We did not recite it unless we had a sub. Then this year ( My Freshman year of HS) I was in a classroom where the soundsystem wasnt hooked up to the intercom. Soo I didnt start saying it till the second semeseter....then i got sick...so technically 3 years,,
CONTINUED- As a child I honestly had no idea what I was saying and then as I got older I started to understand what it meant, but I really don't agree with it. Every so often I don't stand up. Sometimes the teachers or class mates give you mean glances, but I honestly my feelings are extremely mixed and mashed right now.
Okay, I live in Minnesota, at my school we don't have to say it. They say "Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance if you wish to say it" And I really respect that they give people the choice. I believe that my school does it this way because many people in my area think that saying under god, would be like saying a prayer, and many people in my school are atheist.
i refused to say the pledge because they didnt teach us what it meant.. got me three weeks of detention because it was a very heated discussion but it also got the fifth grade a new unit in which they deconstruct the pledge and understand each part of it
I absoluetely agree with you here...I'm happy and proud that I'm an American citizen by birth but I don't feel it's necessary to pledge my allegiance to anyone or anything every day, five days a week for at least 12 years. The main thing about the pledge that annoys me is the "under God" part...As America, we pride ourselves on our state and churches being separate, right? we shouldn't have to mention God daily if some people don't believe in him or believe in a different one referred to in the
pledge. I personally believe in God, don't get me wrong. I just feel as though it is an un-necessary part that shoves a single belief system down the throats of many who don't know what to believe, like a young child. This may be a foolish or immature belief but it's mine and I'd like to hear what you think of it. :)
I think that reciting the pledge is nice but not necessary. Yes, I support my country and all that, but do you really need that reassurance from five year olds? I didn't understand most of it either!
I go to a private Catholic school where we say the pledge every morning. I never really thought about it, much like you, but then I began to realize that I don't even agree with being forced to say it, much less what it actually says. You;re right. It is nationalistic. But probably the fact that I go to a Catholic school means that I'm expected to recite this pledge because it mentions God. It annoys me and I would stop saying it, but that would make me look stupid.
im from Puerto Rico, i have never recited the pledge of allegiance or sang the national anthem or anything of that matter. we are apart of the USA but not a state. im not sure if this is the reason why we dont do it or if the headmaster thinks its unnecessary... but i do think it will be fun to get sent to the office because i didnt say it, ill be like all "DEFIANCE!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!! >:D" and stuff XD
That's an interesting topic, personally I'm not an American, but I have lived in the US for 2 years and during that time I attended an American school, so I know what you're talking about...
First of all, they don't force you to say any pledge, if you stand up and not say it, nobody will tell you anything..
Secondly I don't think the pledge of allegiance has anything in it that says "we're better than everyone else..."...what sentence of it gives you that idea?
My friend questioned why we had to stand for the pledge every morning and my teacher said that they can't acctually force you to say the pledge. Maybe that's just at my school, but I get what you're saying.
I'm from the Netherlands, used to go to a catholic school (just because it was the nicest school near me, I'm not catholic), where officially we had to pray every morning, but we never did because none of the teachers... cared.
Yeah, we don't have discipline here. Just soft-drugs.
I was on an American Exchange and the homeroom teacher shouted at me for not standing up and reciting it. Okay, I'm English and I was 13. I don't have to pledge. No wonder they called her mrs satan...
In Ontario, Canada we have to sing the national anthem everyday. I didn't really mind it because I never thought of it as a pledge to the country but more like a declaration of our gratefulness. That being said, there were people who disagreed with the religious connotation in the song, so with their parents permission, they were excused from singing it. For example, a Jehovah's witness. Also, if you were in french classes, you had to learn and sing the anthem in french.
STUPID AMERICAN NATIONALISM. I swear America (I say America as a country, not to insult the people necessarily) need to refresh heir idea of liberty. Most people in England don't even know the difference between UK, Great Britain, and England, because the people that do go, 'don't call me British, I'm no sheep fucking welshmen' etc. the less you know or care about your country the better
I think some schools are to much into it. like mine, If a teacher sees u and your next to a flag You HAVE to stop and stand and say it or else you'll get a lecture, and i've seen some people try to get away with it and the teachers have it programmed that you have to do it even if its a flag in a picture (Yeah that was my rotc teach) (: but hey this is accully a really good subject :D people should think more about it these days (:
up here in canada we only sing the national anthem for special occasions. definitely not everyday! being forced to recite a pledge of allegiance to your country's government at an early age to instil nationalistic values into the next generation... can someone say communism?? the irony kills me
Now, jumping to piere presure (is that correctly spelled?) well I guess people are afraid of what is different to them and therefore they are sometimes afraid to be diffent which in my personal opinion is way too stupid. Its deeper than that but....its to longo to place it in a comment...
Im from a different country and yes, we used to sing the national anthem and regional anthem in each and every asamblee we had, since we were 5...and....most of us didnt even knew what we were saying, not only we didn't understand what the words meant but we will often mistake those words.
Basicly, there isn't really any point in saying it if you don't mean it. And what if you hate your country, and the first thing you are gonna do when you turn 18 or whatever is MOVE? What if that is the case? If it is a free country, then you shouldn't be forced to do anything, especially not pledging an allegiance to something, because technically when that's done, it's done. You can't undo it. It kind of makes me mad that people are forced to do things in a supposedly free country.
I just wanted to tell you about a country called Sweden. There, it's pretty much the other way around. As soon as you do anything that's patriotic or whatever, like wear yellow and blue (the colours of our flag), or sing the national anthem, someone will always think you're racist... That's just retarded. So there are the two extremes, and it leaves me with the question: Why can't we choose what to love or not love? Why can't we just love any country, or anything at all for that matter?
I actually got into a verbal disagreement with an older woman in my church not too long ago on this topic. She wanted to start singing the national anthem in church or something of that nature and complained about how, being a teacher, no one stood for the pledge anymore. I replied that they have every right not to, considering we don't live in the aforementioned Nazi Germany, and that I don't say the pledge, not because I don't love my country, but because I have a right not to.
Lol at my school the teachers say to at least stand up because no one really says it, they just stand there without even putting their hand to their chest.
When I got to high school, I actually stopped reciting the pledge. It wasn't so much that I disagreed with what it said, or that I'm "unpatriotic" or anything, but I didn't like the idea of, as you said, being forced to say it. I got lectured a couple times on it, but I just felt people in a free country shouldn't have to pledge their allegance to anything unless they wanted to. Not that I think my actions will inspire any revolutions, but I felt it was a small way to voice (or not) my opinion.
I don't think it's fair that we should be forced to say the pledge, which is practically the way I feel. I don't recall anyone getting in trouble for not saying it, but maybe that's because no one has ever gone against it. The pledge is words put into our mouths that no one really understands. We were taught to say it, and now know it by heart, but never learned it's meaning. When I say the pledge, I say, "...one nation, under CANADA...with liberty, and justice, for SOME." And, it's true.
I've thought about the pledge, too. I think we have a right to say the pledge, but it's not something we should be forced to do. Yet, when I'm walking down the hall, not yet in homeroom, and the pledge comes on, every stops and finds the nearest flag in sight, or just stands there, looking at nothing and recites the pledge. And any faculty around points at you to stop and say the pledge. I've read the student handbook, and it doesn't say we need to say the pledge.
I the only time I ever had to sing the anthem (Canadian) was during grade 6, and that was only because I was inn French immersion and our teacher wanted us to learn it in full French. Even hearing it now I always want to sing it in French instead of English.
Some social and religious groups just simply stand and do not recite the pledge of allegiance. In a civilized and humane situation, those students are simply acknowledged of their practices and that would be it.
I like that you want to have a discussion video of something other than pizza and loud air conditioners. :) This is such a can of worms you have opened. I don't have enough room here to comment and sorry, can't make a video response. I see your overall point. Young kids don't understand. There are many things that they don't understand. religion is one. I guess until you are old enough to decide for yourself, you should go by your parents wishes. No one should be forced. I hate comment limits.
We sing the National Anthem AND recite the pledge, every morning... And also get punished if we are caught just mouthing or not doing it at all. But this is only up to Secondary school.. After that it doesn't happen anymore.
This is an interesting topic you brought up. I'm from Australia and in primary school we had to sing the national anthem every morning. Now I'm in high school we only have assembly's every Tuesday and they play the national anthem on the stereo and we can choose I we want to sing it or not.
In the UK we don't do anything. We're ridiculously un-patriotic, although to be honest I would die laughing if we all had to sing God Save The Queen every morning :')
yeah it is kind of stupid and i never liked saying the pledge, i am so glad that i havent had to say it since 6th grade, but the strange thing is that in 5th grade someone in the class didn't do it and a bunch of the other kids got mad at him, it was weird. i dont really get why they got mad
It might be something to brainwash the new generations. I remember watching something about the Nazis and when Hitler was in power, and they did similar things to the kids to teach them how to treat Hitler should they meet him. Also the kids were forced to join a sort of boys and girls camp where they learned the roles that Hitler wanted those specific genders to play. For example boys were taught to hunt and girls were taught to cook. Idk if that might be similar but yeah lols.
In Scotland we don't have to say anything like that. However, when I was in Primary School we were forced to go to church during the holidays & sing hymns in assembly every other day. That always annoyed me considering it wasn't even a religious school.
You have a great point! I'm a 6th grader and I get what you mean! I don't think it's right for little kids to say something that they don't understand. My teacher makes the kids not from America stand but they don't have to say anything because it's not their native country. I agree that it is kind of saying "our country is better than yours!" Evan you make a great point. :)
I've recited the pledge every morning at school since kindergarden, but to me it's nothing more than a bunch of words. Saying it doesn't make me feel proud of my country; in fact, I plan to leave this place as soon as I can. The fact that they make us say it from such a young age turns it into a meaningless process by the time we're old enough to understand it because we've been saying it so long. No one actually thinks about what it means. (Also I don't say the 'under god' part, I'm an atheist)
being a complete liberal hippy in oregon we did not have to recite the pledge at all, in fact i grew up in a culture more anti american than anything else because i went to alternative school 5-8th grade and before that i was homeschooled then i HS i was in an insternational program. now whenever people say the pledge i always feel weird or when im at a flag rising ceremony. i dont think kids should have to say it because what if they dissagree with the gv't or are to young to understand?
We Don't Have To Say Anything In A Morning In England Unless You Go To A Catholic Or Religious School Where You Pray And Sing Hyms, But I Go To Just A Normal Non Religious School And We Have To Sing Our School Song Every Morning I Don't Know About Other Schools Though :D xx
And I agree, pledging to the flag every stinkin' morning is a little much. What's the point? It's just a bunch of words with one hand over our heart, and no one instills any meaning behind them.
hi! Im from sweden and I've never done anything like this during my time in school. (we sang the national anthem occasionally ofc) The thing that is interesting however is the fact that the american and swedish mentality is so fundamentaly different. In stead of "forcing" young people to love their country the norms of the society are telling them not to show of their love for their country. Having for example a shirt with the swedish flag on it would cause other people to think you are racist.
I'm from Argentina. Here in 4th grade we have something similar to the pledge that consists basicly on a ceremony where the principal reads a speech from the national hero who inveted our national flag and we need to respond to it by saying "Yes I promess". Then in every nacional date we make a ceremony where we sing the national anthem and depending on the special ocation we sing the song that conmemorates that day... It's hard to explain in english, hope you understand.
In Christian school, there's a similar problem of worship time. It's always the same people going on stage and singing the same crap 90s worship songs that just repeat "God is forever" over and over. It's technically not required for you to join (I read my Bible or pray from my seat), but the teachers get really mad at you when you don't stand and sing mindlessly with the rest of the drones. Those songs had significance for me at one point, but they've lost their meaning through repetition.
I went to private school for my entire school career, but the pledge was still recited. Not every day, mind you, but once a month and major holidays. I stopped saying it in the sixth grade because I disagree with the air of superiority over other countries that I feel the pledge has. At first my teachers got mad, but they accepted it after a while.
while growing up the pledge stopped after 5th grade. in both so cal and nevada I WAS NOT required to stand for the pledge. we didnt even have the pledge in high school and i went to public school!!
I think the number of comments on this video saying how much the writers hate saying the pledge of alligiance proves that the act is having the opposite affect to brainwashing the children into loving their country. I live in England, and I have never been forced to sing our national anthem, whenever I hear it it warms my heart.
Without going to the religious or patriot arguments, the pledge has pretty much become meaningless. It's learned by rote and is beyond most elementary school kids. When you're older you just say it without thinking because you've been doing it for doing it for years. Of course it won't stop because that would be unamerican.
well i live in virginia & I HATE THE PLEDGE. At first, i skipped the 'under god' part, now i don't say it whatsoever, and next year i plan on not even standing up (we all stand, hand over heart, every morning). I do continue to be quiet the moment of silence, which is meant as a time for people to pray, in theory.
-lydia
"I pledge allegiance to my swag of the united states of me. to the republic, or which i stand. one nation, GOD IS NOT REAL,indivsable. for liberty &justice for me."
I live in Sweden, where I, since first grade, been singing out national anthem on every school graduation. So I guess that's a similarity to the pledge in the USA.
I think this is a non-issue. Americans sit around and argue about unimportant topics all the time. Just stand for 30 seconds and forget about it. There's no reason to argue about something so small.
I stopped doing the pledge in seventh grade, but all my teachers since then have made me stand up for it, even if I don't say it, and I think it's ridiculous. I'm not going to pledge my alliengiance to a freaking FLAG. Five year olds shouldn't have to do this. They don't understand. And people who are old enough to make a logical decision not to shouldn't have to do it either. It's really just annoying.
in my school we have a pledge before announcements. i think thats its rather stupid. if you WERE a nationalist, you wouldn't need to recite the pledge, or if you really wanted to, you could do it on your own time. i never say the pledge and i remain sitting among my classmates, but i never feel ashamed. its my own opinion and im not going to let anyone take it away.
i feel like america is trying to make all the children into zombies who know about nothing but america. i don't believe in the pledge. most of it is just bs.
stupid youtube with its limit of 500 characters. i had to put this answer in 2 parts...
Im British and we dont have a pledge, however, i went to a church of england school untill i was in year 6 and everyday we were forced to pray to god and recite hyms in an assembly, despite the fact that most students either didnt believe in any god at all, or if they did it wasnt jesus, despite that fact if you didnt pray or didnt sing the hym you were forced to stand at the front of the assembly for the entire thing and had 20 minutes of your lunch hour taken away, a little harsh on children
@naveregnide Translation: I am a fifth grader. If you presume that my opinion is not valid due to my age, please allow me to prove you wrong. What defines the pledge? One would think that it is just a meaningless thing recited in the morning. That statement is incorrect; it is actually “simulated congressional hearing”, which teaches children about the branches of the government, checks and balances, and the American right to freedom of speech. (Your point is still not valid.) ;)
When I was in the seventh grade we my class diagrammed of the pledge of allegiance. I still hate sentence diagrams with a passion even though I haven't had to do one in nearly six years...
This is stargirl's pledge: "I pledge allegiance to United Turtles of America and to the fruit bats of Borneo, one planet in the Milky Way, incredible, with justice and black bean burritos for all."
Well in one way, the pledge is technically brainwashing our youth into loving America but on the other hand it is meant to unify the country, you know nationalism Isuppose. Needless to say, I never say the pledge in school anyways, no one but the teacher does.
I wanted to make a video response, but I don't have enough to say :P As primary school children, in the UK, you are required to sing hymns (I had to look up how to spell that) most mornings, even though I would say at least half the kids aren't religious. But it's not really enforced, so if you don't want to sing it, just don't. Personally, I didn't mind, even though I'm not religious at all.
Also, I didn't know the words to the UK anthem until I was about 14. So fail there :P
I pledge allegiance... to the band... of Mr. Schneebly... and will not fight him... for creative control... and will defer to him on all issues related to the musical direction of the band.
UGH! i hate the pledge, i mean i'm not disrespectful or anything, its just POINTLESS! and then theres another one i have to say, because i live in texas, texas is so selfish, they make the kids say a "texas" pledge, i remember when i first moved to texas, in the 2nd grade, and the texas pledge came on, & i refused to say it because i liked NJ more than selfish old texas, now i dont even bother with the american pledge or texas pledge... BUT I LOVE U.S.A.!!!(:
I haven't said the pledge of allegiance since 8th grade but that's mostly because in 9th grade I had band 1st period so we would be playing during it and then for the rest of high school i had yearbook and we were always busy during it and just didnt do it. I do think it's weird when people dont remember the pledge and think it's lame when their excuse is that they dont remember it. I havent said it for 4 years and I still remember it. I feel we should only say it at special appropiate times.
in my high school we have television announcements daily, and before they start, we are to recite the pledge. during the pledge i usually dont stand up [mostly due to laziness] and neither does most of the class. its not that i have disrespect for my country, i just dont feel the need to recite meaningless words DAILY. my homeroom teacher gets angry and makes us stand up, which i am of course more than willing to do, i just dont say it.
basically i agree with you. [i just ran out of space]
In my school experience, I was required to say the pledge of allegiance everyday in elementary school, but as I got older, we said it less and less. Now it really only amounts to the whole class standing up and looking at the flag while someone else recites the pledge over the intercom. We're supposed to recite it, too, but nobody does, we all just stand there feeling awkward for however long it takes.
i dont say it usually. i just sort of stand there until i figure out if i actually love this country or not. i'm just going to do something because everyone else is doing it -___- forget that >.< i'm in high school and i just dont care about the pledge [yet].
At my old primary school in scotland they wouldnt let you start your lunch until you had said the prayer. Being an antithiest from a very young age I went home for lunch.
I was the same though elementary and middle school, then when high school started and i just stopped saying "under god" and now i just stand without really saying anything.
the pledge of allegiance was instigated after the civil war as a way tom get southerners intergrated back into the union. It has lost much of its original meaning today. The line one nation "under god" was added during world war two. It used to be one nation indivisable. We are not worshiping the flag with the pledge, but rather prononcing our unity as one nation under one flag.
In my school, or at least in my homeroom, the teachers required us to stand, but hardly anyone recited it. I think the only time everyone actually DID say it was the first day of school. And I personally think that's enough, although I did say it everyday.
But because we are too sleepy,half of the school is still in its bed and the other half looks like he got stoned.And the worst part is that someone is forced to scream it in the microphone,so we make freshmen do it!!:D
I'm from Scotland in the UK and I've always found the Pledge of Allegiance really strange. For a country that's so focused on the "freedom" of the individual, it seems strangely counter-intuitive to force those individual's to make a pledge even when they don't understand or agree with the values. I'm glad I have never had to experience anything like that here. We didn't sing the national anthem in my school either. I went to state school.
in my school they just play the national anthem every morning but we don't have to sing along,,, now that i think about it hardly anyone sings along -.- we don't even agree with what it says so why should we?!
(cont.) and needless to say, if I was ever forced to pledge allegiance to another country's flag I would rather be beaten or whipped like my dad and grandfather were. Anyway, nowadays it's only required in some private schools and anyone who doesn't want to stand can sit down... I only stand during the anthem out of respect for another country. We've come a long way but many went to jail or worse for it.
Actually what happened in Nazi Germany was something completely different..Other than that I agree. In my case I live in Puerto Rico. Here, after the American invasion in 1898, Spanish was banned from schools and students had to pledge allegiance to the US flag every morning (and not to our flag because it had been outlawed), if they didn't they were whipped or beaten by the nuns. Most of this went on till the early '80s. Needless to say my parents/grandparents are not fond of the US govermnt.
I though it was unconstitutional to REQUIRE a student to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in a public school. The portion that states "under God" has sparked controversy because it mentions a deity which goes against the separation of church and state. It also goes against polytheistic religions that believe in multiple gods. I'm pretty sure that as of today students are only required to stand for the Pledge but are not required to recite it.
I think it is a good thing to say in the morning. Unlike your experiences, in elementary school we had to dissect the pledge of allegiance. I was in 2nd grade I believe when we had to translate it to our age level. I agree with the fact people have the right now to say the pledge, and that it is a bit nationalistic. But patriotism and nationalism have a thin line to cross. Thanks for making this video.
I definitely think it is a little creepy we have little children swearing to our country almost everyday, and we don't really teach them what it means, beyond saying it means that you love your country. And I also sort of agree with you on the less patriotism and more...I forgot the word you used. I feel proud to be in the country when I see us do great acts of freedom, etc. Not when I mutter something so common it's lost all meaning. LAWLZ. We never say it in High school....ever.
Where I go to school, we say the pledge every morning. But usually my teachers don't really care or not if you actually stand and say it (except one because he was a cop.) The fact that our pledge has the words "under God" in it, gives everybody the right to not recite the pledge based on their religion. I think the religion part of it is the bigger controversy than kids not knowing what the pledge means.
I believe that students should say the pledge of allegiance but not b/c it is expected of them but b/c they understand what it means to pledge allegiance to their country and they feel like its their patriotic duty to stand by their country. If a student doesn't feel this way I still think that they should show some respect by standing quietly while other students say the pledge, I have had classmates who talk and or just sit down in their seats during the pledge, I find this very disrespectful
@mumbleman123 b/c they show no pride, remorse, or any kind of emotion just indifference; these students are american citizens showing a lack of respect for what their country stands for and for what that flag symbolizes, they only believe that just b/c they have the right to refuse to say the pledge they can get away with not showing respect for those who died for that flag and for their right to refuse to say that pledge, I think people who refuse to say the pledge of allegiance b/c they can
@mumbleman123 and don't show respect for the american flag, r ignorant and deserve to live in a country where they don't have a choice, a country where if they don't pay tribute to their country or nation in whatever way is required it is considered a crime, maybe then they would learn to respect and be thankful for the freedoms they r able to enjoy by living in this country. I could definitely go on about this topic but I think I've written enough, lol.
Most of my high school teachers didn't make us say it. Children should at least be taught what it means. Also I hate that it includes "under god". While liking our country is something most of us agree on, religion is not.
@ParagonBeaumont I am an agnostic, and have been for a while. So every morning to make myself feel more comfortable about what I am actually saying, I say, "One nation under Canada." Just because I think it sparks some humor into the rest of my day. :) Also, my friend is muslim so she had to get her mom to sign a paper stating taht reciting the pledge would be against her religion. So I totally agree with you. :)
@xaraowlx1 "under Canada" Thats a good one, I'm going to teach my little brother to say it that way, since he still has to. Having to get a signature to opt out seems too far for me, we were specifically told we could stay seated if we didn't want to for whatever reason.
I'm from Canada so I was a bit confused with what the pledge of allegiance was. (I know what it sounds like I just didn't get it's purpose since it kind of sounds like our anthem but speech wise) Thanks for clearing that up in such an informative way. XD
Lol yeah at my high school we sing Oh Canada everyday. But it's like the rock version accompanied by various Canadian images like beavers and moose which I have never seen having lived here my whole life.
I'm not a big fan of the Pledge because it doesn't really have any positive effects on kids. My school is crazy tolerant, so we don't have to say it if we don't want to. And everyone seems to still be ok with their country.
We don't sing Oh Canada everyday in our school now, but we did in the younger grades so we would learn the words and stuff. We also sing God Save The Queen on Remembrance Day.
I know it's not really related~ but there's one line in the anthem that says "True patriot love in all thy sons command." And people are actually trying to get it officially changed because they think "sons" is sexist.
I hadn't given much thought to the Pledge although I've had to recite it everyday for the past nine years. I never understood why people didn't say it, until a few weeks ago when I saw one of my friend's pictures that read "Liberty and justice for all*
*except queers, blacks, immigrants, Muslims, women, students, Asians, Native Americans, citizens..." there were a few other groups also. Now I don't say it. . . but I do still stand, my first period teacher is to scary for me to stay seated.
"Adorable"? We actually use that song for everything up here, and in 2 languages! I wouldn't say it makes tons of sense to me, but adorable is a bit much. :P
But yeah, at my elementary school we always sang it at assemblies and stuff, but we actually did a project in grade 4 (I think) where we learned about everything in the anthem, what it meant, and came up with stuff we would change. I think it's a good way to show your love, and also to understand what it is you're saying you love.
You Americans and your patriotism freaks us out for real x) But I guess the Chinese are worse.... Or the Turks . So yea, I am fine with it. Although it does seem kind of systematical/methodical having to repeat the same line over and over again each morning.... Hmmm, give me another minute ;P
I go to a private school. I like living here and all, but why would I pledge allegiance to this country when I'm five? I mean, when I was five I went to a public school, so I had to. I'm a kid so I don't talk about politics too much, but if you ask me, I wouldn't like to pledge allegiance to this country. Or almost any government at all. At least, it wouldn't matter when I'm a kid. It's meaningless. Words are just words, people will forget them.
we don't have to do nothing in good old england exept what the teacher ask you though the rules are kind of stupid you're not allowed to shave your head the think it makes you look like a thug someone iknow got up in soacial inclusion for it htough we nver told of this rule they seem to make it up as they go along wouldn't it make then feel crappy if some one came into school with a shaved head and they told them off and they said yeah i did it for charity had a bit of a rant about my school
im from england and i think if we had to sing our national anthem every morning it would make it seem less inportant and people would think of it as a part of the day as to the meaning of it
I had to stand when the pledge was recited but i never recited it. and in 4th-6th grades we had to sing god bless the USA every morning after the pledge of alligance.
I HAVE to stand up in my school, because if you don't it's "gross disrespect" or something. But I stopped reciting it in about 6th grade. I get frowned upon, but meh. I'm not pledging something I don't agree with / don't know much about.
i'm not from US but I always felt like when is imposed to the kids (a pledge or in my case the national anthem) it contradicts with the pledge objective of reinforce our freedom.
Woah....America is weird....
thecatsaregods 17 hours ago
From Britain....how have I never heard of this?
thecatsaregods 17 hours ago
The pledge of allegiance is a form of brainwashing
rayneberry 3 weeks ago
I say the pledge everyday minus the "Under God" part. I am an Atheist and don't believe in God and I think it should be taken out of the pledge. America does NOT have an official religion and it shouldn't come across that way in our pledge. I agree with everything you said about the pledge and I'm not sure why we should say it. But if we must say it, I refuse to say "Under God"
quirkfulquagmire 1 month ago in playlist More videos from naveregnide
I say the national anthem proudly i really enouncuate the under God part cause i loveGod i really really love my creator
OfficialAdvertisment 1 month ago
I stopped doing the pledge in high school. Never got in trouble, I don't think anyone should get forced to do it. Although, if one wants to do it, I have nothing against it.
EggPlantsBelieve 1 month ago
I'd have to agree with what you said. Ever since middle school I came out as an atheist and would sub in "...under SCIENCE..." loudly, instead of "...under god..." Truthfully, I never got in trouble for doing this. I believe I must live in the 30% of the states that the teachers wouldn't punish you because I had friends that refused to stand and they never had any problems.
kartyac 2 months ago
I think everyone who wants to get more into this topic should read Hero Type by Berry Lyga, its a really good book and it deals alot with this topic and quick fact, in america it is frowned upon to sho disrespect to our flag but not to other countries flags but in most other countries you can show disrespect to your own flag all you want, but if you disrespect the countries that are allies with your country, its bad... I personally think that makes more sense
HadesIsMisunderstood 2 months ago
When I was little, I did what I was told and said the pledge. Once I figured out what it all ment, I decided I didn't like it and I'd just move my lips during the pledge to avoid getting in trouble, yet I didn't say it.
H8nLof 3 months ago
In middle school we read a book about the issue with whether or not it should be required to say the pledge. Now in high school, the person that does the morning announcements says it, but no one ever says it and only about half the kids actually stand up and put their hand over their heart.
b4itstarted 4 months ago in playlist More videos from naveregnide
-I agree!... again! haha
-"I heard Canada sings their National Anthem... which is adorable." hahaha
*Hug*
iLeaveYouWithHugs 5 months ago in playlist More videos from naveregnide
@pixle555 Ummmm no.... It was written by a man during Columbus' anniversary fir finding america... Not during the cold war.
And I def think that the pledge is just a way of sorta telling our country, thank you for being the way you are. U ARE entitled to your own opinion but, why wouldn't you be thankful that our country" one nation, under God, indivisible, with freedom and justice"? And btw it IS all this things. SOOO, u might disagree but I'll stand by my countries flag and salute it whenev
johnnyv272 6 months ago
I actually have no idea what the pledge of allegiance says but I'm pretty sure it was brought in during the cold war under the belief that it would stop communism in america because all students pledged to their country or something like that, is that true?
pixle555 6 months ago
I'm Canadian, so I don't have much of an opinion on the pledge.
And, yes, we sing our national anthem, but only in the lower grades. Once you go higher, less and less people sing, and then eventually no one sings anymore.
Fortisaurus 6 months ago
Though I'm Canadian, I attended college in FL for 2 years and during that time I learned the bits of the pledge of allegiance that I hadn't known before. There were some who didn't agree with saying the pledge, but they would just stand. Obviously the profs were ok with it, seeing as College is different from elementary and high school. My first year I didn't recite it, and my second year I did, just for the experience.
oh and it's true that in Canada we sing our anthem in school everyday :)
Diabetty115 7 months ago 2
Comment removed
Diabetty115 7 months ago
I love that. @navergnide - you're one of the smart ones.
It's brainwashing.The same kids who are fighting in Iraq/Afghanistan are raised to believe their country is superior, and coupled with the concept of manifest destiny and the prison/military-industrial complex, it's creating a generation of zealous Crusader/world policeman types who think they can do no wrong.
And then Americans wonder why brown people keep shooting at them.
Thirdoptionisthename 7 months ago
In Australia we sing the national anthem but only once a week.
BenGriffithsReviews 7 months ago
I'm in high school and I don't even know the whole pledge. I think it's pointless really, nobody even understands it. This includes me.
lolcunts 7 months ago
At my school, yes we recited the Pledge of Allegiance. But for 2 1/2 years I did not. My middle school years I started the morning in band class. We did not recite it unless we had a sub. Then this year ( My Freshman year of HS) I was in a classroom where the soundsystem wasnt hooked up to the intercom. Soo I didnt start saying it till the second semeseter....then i got sick...so technically 3 years,,
CeejaIsADinosawr 7 months ago
CONTINUED- As a child I honestly had no idea what I was saying and then as I got older I started to understand what it meant, but I really don't agree with it. Every so often I don't stand up. Sometimes the teachers or class mates give you mean glances, but I honestly my feelings are extremely mixed and mashed right now.
Yrmomwearspants 7 months ago
Okay, I live in Minnesota, at my school we don't have to say it. They say "Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance if you wish to say it" And I really respect that they give people the choice. I believe that my school does it this way because many people in my area think that saying under god, would be like saying a prayer, and many people in my school are atheist.
Yrmomwearspants 7 months ago
i refused to say the pledge because they didnt teach us what it meant.. got me three weeks of detention because it was a very heated discussion but it also got the fifth grade a new unit in which they deconstruct the pledge and understand each part of it
myhamster1212 7 months ago
People who enjoy waving a flag, don't deserve to have one
lionleobow 7 months ago
I absoluetely agree with you here...I'm happy and proud that I'm an American citizen by birth but I don't feel it's necessary to pledge my allegiance to anyone or anything every day, five days a week for at least 12 years. The main thing about the pledge that annoys me is the "under God" part...As America, we pride ourselves on our state and churches being separate, right? we shouldn't have to mention God daily if some people don't believe in him or believe in a different one referred to in the
jrocknpoppingirl 7 months ago
pledge. I personally believe in God, don't get me wrong. I just feel as though it is an un-necessary part that shoves a single belief system down the throats of many who don't know what to believe, like a young child. This may be a foolish or immature belief but it's mine and I'd like to hear what you think of it. :)
Janjan
jrocknpoppingirl 7 months ago
in Australia we said the national anthem, and i had no blooming clue what i was saying.
just saying .
bloosygirl 7 months ago
I think that reciting the pledge is nice but not necessary. Yes, I support my country and all that, but do you really need that reassurance from five year olds? I didn't understand most of it either!
CaptainessValentina 8 months ago
I go to a private Catholic school where we say the pledge every morning. I never really thought about it, much like you, but then I began to realize that I don't even agree with being forced to say it, much less what it actually says. You;re right. It is nationalistic. But probably the fact that I go to a Catholic school means that I'm expected to recite this pledge because it mentions God. It annoys me and I would stop saying it, but that would make me look stupid.
coda623 8 months ago
yes pledge allegiance to your master that forces you to obey under threat of violence...be a good american slave
longfootbuddy 8 months ago
I am Canadian, and i sang my national anthem everyday with pride. i love being Canadian and i let ppl know it.
AddHartTv 8 months ago
@AddHartTv YEAH CANADA!!!!! W00T W00T!!!!!
....
That's how I, as an American, show respect for neighboring countries. ;)
SpoonsAtMidnight 8 months ago 5
@SpoonsAtMidnight first time an American has been nice to me via Youtube, thanks. *cyber hug* lol making international peace over here! XD
AddHartTv 8 months ago
So you saw the WKUK skit too, huh?
sue01234567890 8 months ago
@sue01234567890 twas the inspiration!
naveregnide 8 months ago
im from Puerto Rico, i have never recited the pledge of allegiance or sang the national anthem or anything of that matter. we are apart of the USA but not a state. im not sure if this is the reason why we dont do it or if the headmaster thinks its unnecessary... but i do think it will be fun to get sent to the office because i didnt say it, ill be like all "DEFIANCE!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!! >:D" and stuff XD
TheMedicFromHell 8 months ago
That's an interesting topic, personally I'm not an American, but I have lived in the US for 2 years and during that time I attended an American school, so I know what you're talking about...
First of all, they don't force you to say any pledge, if you stand up and not say it, nobody will tell you anything..
Secondly I don't think the pledge of allegiance has anything in it that says "we're better than everyone else..."...what sentence of it gives you that idea?
Kostas1601 8 months ago
I have too everyday and I just quietly say watermelon XD
brainery 8 months ago
My friend questioned why we had to stand for the pledge every morning and my teacher said that they can't acctually force you to say the pledge. Maybe that's just at my school, but I get what you're saying.
ElectricBass12 8 months ago
The Crucible....*shudder*
7trisarahtops 8 months ago
Never done such a thing :)
I'm from the Netherlands, used to go to a catholic school (just because it was the nicest school near me, I'm not catholic), where officially we had to pray every morning, but we never did because none of the teachers... cared.
Yeah, we don't have discipline here. Just soft-drugs.
I love my country.
meParticularly 8 months ago
no but we sing are national antom
aqua7sea 8 months ago
I was on an American Exchange and the homeroom teacher shouted at me for not standing up and reciting it. Okay, I'm English and I was 13. I don't have to pledge. No wonder they called her mrs satan...
smileybabe159 8 months ago
Im from ireland and we dont have to do anything like that at all...
PurpleQuote 8 months ago
In Ontario, Canada we have to sing the national anthem everyday. I didn't really mind it because I never thought of it as a pledge to the country but more like a declaration of our gratefulness. That being said, there were people who disagreed with the religious connotation in the song, so with their parents permission, they were excused from singing it. For example, a Jehovah's witness. Also, if you were in french classes, you had to learn and sing the anthem in french.
TurtlesOnAFence 8 months ago
STUPID AMERICAN NATIONALISM. I swear America (I say America as a country, not to insult the people necessarily) need to refresh heir idea of liberty. Most people in England don't even know the difference between UK, Great Britain, and England, because the people that do go, 'don't call me British, I'm no sheep fucking welshmen' etc. the less you know or care about your country the better
MichelinDUD 8 months ago
I think some schools are to much into it. like mine, If a teacher sees u and your next to a flag You HAVE to stop and stand and say it or else you'll get a lecture, and i've seen some people try to get away with it and the teachers have it programmed that you have to do it even if its a flag in a picture (Yeah that was my rotc teach) (: but hey this is accully a really good subject :D people should think more about it these days (:
XxCookiexRawrxX 8 months ago
up here in canada we only sing the national anthem for special occasions. definitely not everyday! being forced to recite a pledge of allegiance to your country's government at an early age to instil nationalistic values into the next generation... can someone say communism?? the irony kills me
6BURG9 8 months ago
Now, jumping to piere presure (is that correctly spelled?) well I guess people are afraid of what is different to them and therefore they are sometimes afraid to be diffent which in my personal opinion is way too stupid. Its deeper than that but....its to longo to place it in a comment...
I like your thinking by the way.
SakuraAsaki 8 months ago
Im from a different country and yes, we used to sing the national anthem and regional anthem in each and every asamblee we had, since we were 5...and....most of us didnt even knew what we were saying, not only we didn't understand what the words meant but we will often mistake those words.
SakuraAsaki 8 months ago
I sometimes imagine myself going to the USA with an American flag but with the Union Jack in the top left angle.
McKnowledge1000 8 months ago
We only say the pledge on Fridays...thats stupid.
rainstar999 8 months ago
Ok, I'm rambling. And now I'm posting a third comment.
Ok, that's enough now.
xway2 8 months ago
Basicly, there isn't really any point in saying it if you don't mean it. And what if you hate your country, and the first thing you are gonna do when you turn 18 or whatever is MOVE? What if that is the case? If it is a free country, then you shouldn't be forced to do anything, especially not pledging an allegiance to something, because technically when that's done, it's done. You can't undo it. It kind of makes me mad that people are forced to do things in a supposedly free country.
xway2 8 months ago
Hi.
I just wanted to tell you about a country called Sweden. There, it's pretty much the other way around. As soon as you do anything that's patriotic or whatever, like wear yellow and blue (the colours of our flag), or sing the national anthem, someone will always think you're racist... That's just retarded. So there are the two extremes, and it leaves me with the question: Why can't we choose what to love or not love? Why can't we just love any country, or anything at all for that matter?
xway2 8 months ago
I actually got into a verbal disagreement with an older woman in my church not too long ago on this topic. She wanted to start singing the national anthem in church or something of that nature and complained about how, being a teacher, no one stood for the pledge anymore. I replied that they have every right not to, considering we don't live in the aforementioned Nazi Germany, and that I don't say the pledge, not because I don't love my country, but because I have a right not to.
Lovr4nowVegan4evr 8 months ago
Lol at my school the teachers say to at least stand up because no one really says it, they just stand there without even putting their hand to their chest.
isabelzoe1997 8 months ago
When I got to high school, I actually stopped reciting the pledge. It wasn't so much that I disagreed with what it said, or that I'm "unpatriotic" or anything, but I didn't like the idea of, as you said, being forced to say it. I got lectured a couple times on it, but I just felt people in a free country shouldn't have to pledge their allegance to anything unless they wanted to. Not that I think my actions will inspire any revolutions, but I felt it was a small way to voice (or not) my opinion.
ElphabasnotfromOrion 8 months ago
I don't think it's fair that we should be forced to say the pledge, which is practically the way I feel. I don't recall anyone getting in trouble for not saying it, but maybe that's because no one has ever gone against it. The pledge is words put into our mouths that no one really understands. We were taught to say it, and now know it by heart, but never learned it's meaning. When I say the pledge, I say, "...one nation, under CANADA...with liberty, and justice, for SOME." And, it's true.
parisnpaige 9 months ago
I've thought about the pledge, too. I think we have a right to say the pledge, but it's not something we should be forced to do. Yet, when I'm walking down the hall, not yet in homeroom, and the pledge comes on, every stops and finds the nearest flag in sight, or just stands there, looking at nothing and recites the pledge. And any faculty around points at you to stop and say the pledge. I've read the student handbook, and it doesn't say we need to say the pledge.
parisnpaige 9 months ago
I'm from England and we do nothing like that. Here, everyone slags off our country, even the teachers.
emmaakaty 9 months ago
wow - we in england dont even have mornin announcements
xxSmileyJessxx 9 months ago
Oh my goodness, I'm from Europe and that's just terrible.
That's plain indoctrination.
myfacewhenIpenguin 9 months ago
I LOVE this.
meaganacious 9 months ago
I the only time I ever had to sing the anthem (Canadian) was during grade 6, and that was only because I was inn French immersion and our teacher wanted us to learn it in full French. Even hearing it now I always want to sing it in French instead of English.
invisemble 9 months ago
Some social and religious groups just simply stand and do not recite the pledge of allegiance. In a civilized and humane situation, those students are simply acknowledged of their practices and that would be it.
LorenzoCubes 9 months ago
When I was in High School we never recited it. We stood but didn't recite!
Hudak0581 9 months ago
i never say the pledge of alligiance = ) the teachers gave up on yelling at me
dagaroos1513 9 months ago
Has anyone told you that you look like Shaggy from Scooby Doo?
MorrisMan95 9 months ago
I don't say the pledge of allegiance
Thestralsxxx 9 months ago
I like that you want to have a discussion video of something other than pizza and loud air conditioners. :) This is such a can of worms you have opened. I don't have enough room here to comment and sorry, can't make a video response. I see your overall point. Young kids don't understand. There are many things that they don't understand. religion is one. I guess until you are old enough to decide for yourself, you should go by your parents wishes. No one should be forced. I hate comment limits.
rdt999 9 months ago
We sing the National Anthem AND recite the pledge, every morning... And also get punished if we are caught just mouthing or not doing it at all. But this is only up to Secondary school.. After that it doesn't happen anymore.
PurpleMoonlight812 9 months ago
This is an interesting topic you brought up. I'm from Australia and in primary school we had to sing the national anthem every morning. Now I'm in high school we only have assembly's every Tuesday and they play the national anthem on the stereo and we can choose I we want to sing it or not.
reianaisawesome 9 months ago
In the UK we don't do anything. We're ridiculously un-patriotic, although to be honest I would die laughing if we all had to sing God Save The Queen every morning :')
Emigmatiic 9 months ago
@Emigmatiic Just about to say that :D In Northern Ireland if we tried to sing God Save the Queen every morning in class we'd probably be shot :P
MarcoAmane 9 months ago
yeah it is kind of stupid and i never liked saying the pledge, i am so glad that i havent had to say it since 6th grade, but the strange thing is that in 5th grade someone in the class didn't do it and a bunch of the other kids got mad at him, it was weird. i dont really get why they got mad
Bookwormx10 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I pledge allegiance... to the flag... of the United States of Alfredia...
MissHitachiin69 9 months ago
It might be something to brainwash the new generations. I remember watching something about the Nazis and when Hitler was in power, and they did similar things to the kids to teach them how to treat Hitler should they meet him. Also the kids were forced to join a sort of boys and girls camp where they learned the roles that Hitler wanted those specific genders to play. For example boys were taught to hunt and girls were taught to cook. Idk if that might be similar but yeah lols.
Utzuki 9 months ago
In Scotland we don't have to say anything like that. However, when I was in Primary School we were forced to go to church during the holidays & sing hymns in assembly every other day. That always annoyed me considering it wasn't even a religious school.
MelissaRaptor 9 months ago
You have a great point! I'm a 6th grader and I get what you mean! I don't think it's right for little kids to say something that they don't understand. My teacher makes the kids not from America stand but they don't have to say anything because it's not their native country. I agree that it is kind of saying "our country is better than yours!" Evan you make a great point. :)
LoverOfMusic120 9 months ago
I've recited the pledge every morning at school since kindergarden, but to me it's nothing more than a bunch of words. Saying it doesn't make me feel proud of my country; in fact, I plan to leave this place as soon as I can. The fact that they make us say it from such a young age turns it into a meaningless process by the time we're old enough to understand it because we've been saying it so long. No one actually thinks about what it means. (Also I don't say the 'under god' part, I'm an atheist)
TheKnightBus218 9 months ago
Love living in the Netherlands and not having to do this.
Cowpoww 9 months ago
being a complete liberal hippy in oregon we did not have to recite the pledge at all, in fact i grew up in a culture more anti american than anything else because i went to alternative school 5-8th grade and before that i was homeschooled then i HS i was in an insternational program. now whenever people say the pledge i always feel weird or when im at a flag rising ceremony. i dont think kids should have to say it because what if they dissagree with the gv't or are to young to understand?
nrgumano 9 months ago
RELIENT K!!!
TheMaxinator02 9 months ago
love your shirt!
andicn 9 months ago
We Don't Have To Say Anything In A Morning In England Unless You Go To A Catholic Or Religious School Where You Pray And Sing Hyms, But I Go To Just A Normal Non Religious School And We Have To Sing Our School Song Every Morning I Don't Know About Other Schools Though :D xx
Samiiixx 9 months ago
WHAT WOULD JACK BAUER DO
Lololololol.
And I agree, pledging to the flag every stinkin' morning is a little much. What's the point? It's just a bunch of words with one hand over our heart, and no one instills any meaning behind them.
sincerelywizard 9 months ago
hi! Im from sweden and I've never done anything like this during my time in school. (we sang the national anthem occasionally ofc) The thing that is interesting however is the fact that the american and swedish mentality is so fundamentaly different. In stead of "forcing" young people to love their country the norms of the society are telling them not to show of their love for their country. Having for example a shirt with the swedish flag on it would cause other people to think you are racist.
20thousandlightyears 9 months ago
Yes, we sing in Canada -_- At my school, we sing, and then we pray. It's a fun morning.
XLiveXXLaughXXLove 9 months ago
i've never had to do anything like that as someone in the UK :L
TheJonesy0707 9 months ago
I'm from Argentina. Here in 4th grade we have something similar to the pledge that consists basicly on a ceremony where the principal reads a speech from the national hero who inveted our national flag and we need to respond to it by saying "Yes I promess". Then in every nacional date we make a ceremony where we sing the national anthem and depending on the special ocation we sing the song that conmemorates that day... It's hard to explain in english, hope you understand.
maiulen93 9 months ago
In Christian school, there's a similar problem of worship time. It's always the same people going on stage and singing the same crap 90s worship songs that just repeat "God is forever" over and over. It's technically not required for you to join (I read my Bible or pray from my seat), but the teachers get really mad at you when you don't stand and sing mindlessly with the rest of the drones. Those songs had significance for me at one point, but they've lost their meaning through repetition.
reflectingpondvideo 9 months ago
I went to private school for my entire school career, but the pledge was still recited. Not every day, mind you, but once a month and major holidays. I stopped saying it in the sixth grade because I disagree with the air of superiority over other countries that I feel the pledge has. At first my teachers got mad, but they accepted it after a while.
reflectingpondvideo 9 months ago
while growing up the pledge stopped after 5th grade. in both so cal and nevada I WAS NOT required to stand for the pledge. we didnt even have the pledge in high school and i went to public school!!
eagleeyez128 9 months ago
I think the number of comments on this video saying how much the writers hate saying the pledge of alligiance proves that the act is having the opposite affect to brainwashing the children into loving their country. I live in England, and I have never been forced to sing our national anthem, whenever I hear it it warms my heart.
MystroTheDefender 9 months ago
Without going to the religious or patriot arguments, the pledge has pretty much become meaningless. It's learned by rote and is beyond most elementary school kids. When you're older you just say it without thinking because you've been doing it for doing it for years. Of course it won't stop because that would be unamerican.
trekkerbud 9 months ago
well i live in virginia & I HATE THE PLEDGE. At first, i skipped the 'under god' part, now i don't say it whatsoever, and next year i plan on not even standing up (we all stand, hand over heart, every morning). I do continue to be quiet the moment of silence, which is meant as a time for people to pray, in theory.
-lydia
"I pledge allegiance to my swag of the united states of me. to the republic, or which i stand. one nation, GOD IS NOT REAL,indivsable. for liberty &justice for me."
-hannah
CrowwnThief 9 months ago
I live in Sweden, where I, since first grade, been singing out national anthem on every school graduation. So I guess that's a similarity to the pledge in the USA.
IsmaProject 9 months ago
The pledge of allegiance is a lie used to brainwash children.
AlicetheShort 9 months ago
I think this is a non-issue. Americans sit around and argue about unimportant topics all the time. Just stand for 30 seconds and forget about it. There's no reason to argue about something so small.
WildMan7856 9 months ago
I stopped doing the pledge in seventh grade, but all my teachers since then have made me stand up for it, even if I don't say it, and I think it's ridiculous. I'm not going to pledge my alliengiance to a freaking FLAG. Five year olds shouldn't have to do this. They don't understand. And people who are old enough to make a logical decision not to shouldn't have to do it either. It's really just annoying.
cookiemeister4 9 months ago
in my school we have a pledge before announcements. i think thats its rather stupid. if you WERE a nationalist, you wouldn't need to recite the pledge, or if you really wanted to, you could do it on your own time. i never say the pledge and i remain sitting among my classmates, but i never feel ashamed. its my own opinion and im not going to let anyone take it away.
Sillmanya 9 months ago
i feel like america is trying to make all the children into zombies who know about nothing but america. i don't believe in the pledge. most of it is just bs.
stupid youtube with its limit of 500 characters. i had to put this answer in 2 parts...
Sillmanya 9 months ago
Im British and we dont have a pledge, however, i went to a church of england school untill i was in year 6 and everyday we were forced to pray to god and recite hyms in an assembly, despite the fact that most students either didnt believe in any god at all, or if they did it wasnt jesus, despite that fact if you didnt pray or didnt sing the hym you were forced to stand at the front of the assembly for the entire thing and had 20 minutes of your lunch hour taken away, a little harsh on children
SuppressedGeek 9 months ago
@spleen52 I don't think you had to tell me you were in 5th grade... you made that painfully obvious. I'm not going to attempt to read that.
naveregnide 9 months ago 42
@naveregnide Translation: I am a fifth grader. If you presume that my opinion is not valid due to my age, please allow me to prove you wrong. What defines the pledge? One would think that it is just a meaningless thing recited in the morning. That statement is incorrect; it is actually “simulated congressional hearing”, which teaches children about the branches of the government, checks and balances, and the American right to freedom of speech. (Your point is still not valid.) ;)
SpoonsAtMidnight 8 months ago
When I was in the seventh grade we my class diagrammed of the pledge of allegiance. I still hate sentence diagrams with a passion even though I haven't had to do one in nearly six years...
proverbialmelody 9 months ago
This is stargirl's pledge: "I pledge allegiance to United Turtles of America and to the fruit bats of Borneo, one planet in the Milky Way, incredible, with justice and black bean burritos for all."
KamilahCarter 9 months ago
Comment removed
KamilahCarter 9 months ago
apparently, at my school, saying the pledge of allegiance goes toward are homeroom participation grade...
bellazutube 9 months ago
@bellazutube that is fucking retarded. participation is used against us in so many ways.
my "daily grade" dies every time i ask the teacher why have to memorize bible quotes for english class
CrowwnThief 9 months ago
Well in one way, the pledge is technically brainwashing our youth into loving America but on the other hand it is meant to unify the country, you know nationalism Isuppose. Needless to say, I never say the pledge in school anyways, no one but the teacher does.
whipcreamonthefloor 9 months ago
i havent said the pledge of allegiance since the 6th grade lol
rumenfingers 9 months ago
I wanted to make a video response, but I don't have enough to say :P As primary school children, in the UK, you are required to sing hymns (I had to look up how to spell that) most mornings, even though I would say at least half the kids aren't religious. But it's not really enforced, so if you don't want to sing it, just don't. Personally, I didn't mind, even though I'm not religious at all.
Also, I didn't know the words to the UK anthem until I was about 14. So fail there :P
yourshowercap 9 months ago
I pledge allegiance... to the band... of Mr. Schneebly... and will not fight him... for creative control... and will defer to him on all issues related to the musical direction of the band.
^best pledge ever
evilsisterslol 9 months ago 49
Canada is adorable.
iliveonplanetspace 9 months ago
&2 test
Kesh789 9 months ago
I like singing O Canada in the morning. We have funny versions. Like the rock version. Or the hoedown version. =3
TXTMSGirlfriend 9 months ago
UGH! i hate the pledge, i mean i'm not disrespectful or anything, its just POINTLESS! and then theres another one i have to say, because i live in texas, texas is so selfish, they make the kids say a "texas" pledge, i remember when i first moved to texas, in the 2nd grade, and the texas pledge came on, & i refused to say it because i liked NJ more than selfish old texas, now i dont even bother with the american pledge or texas pledge... BUT I LOVE U.S.A.!!!(:
superbubblegumfreak 9 months ago
@superbubblegumfreak The "Texas Pledge" huh(:? Sounds like you guys are planning something down there...
whipcreamonthefloor 9 months ago
I haven't said the pledge of allegiance since 8th grade but that's mostly because in 9th grade I had band 1st period so we would be playing during it and then for the rest of high school i had yearbook and we were always busy during it and just didnt do it. I do think it's weird when people dont remember the pledge and think it's lame when their excuse is that they dont remember it. I havent said it for 4 years and I still remember it. I feel we should only say it at special appropiate times.
MadamePeppermint 9 months ago
in my high school we have television announcements daily, and before they start, we are to recite the pledge. during the pledge i usually dont stand up [mostly due to laziness] and neither does most of the class. its not that i have disrespect for my country, i just dont feel the need to recite meaningless words DAILY. my homeroom teacher gets angry and makes us stand up, which i am of course more than willing to do, i just dont say it.
basically i agree with you. [i just ran out of space]
musicjnc21 9 months ago
In my school experience, I was required to say the pledge of allegiance everyday in elementary school, but as I got older, we said it less and less. Now it really only amounts to the whole class standing up and looking at the flag while someone else recites the pledge over the intercom. We're supposed to recite it, too, but nobody does, we all just stand there feeling awkward for however long it takes.
Atayla564 9 months ago
i dont say it usually. i just sort of stand there until i figure out if i actually love this country or not. i'm just going to do something because everyone else is doing it -___- forget that >.< i'm in high school and i just dont care about the pledge [yet].
tayziiethegreat 9 months ago
At my school every monday we sing oh canada
MrYoyospencer 9 months ago
At my old primary school in scotland they wouldnt let you start your lunch until you had said the prayer. Being an antithiest from a very young age I went home for lunch.
itssPickles13 9 months ago
This is one of the most intellectually stimulating videos I've seen in a while. Thought provoking minus boring :]
ArianaOverFlowers 9 months ago
I was the same though elementary and middle school, then when high school started and i just stopped saying "under god" and now i just stand without really saying anything.
ndhockey989 9 months ago
the pledge of allegiance was instigated after the civil war as a way tom get southerners intergrated back into the union. It has lost much of its original meaning today. The line one nation "under god" was added during world war two. It used to be one nation indivisable. We are not worshiping the flag with the pledge, but rather prononcing our unity as one nation under one flag.
campfire86 9 months ago
I have never sang 'God save the Queen'.. ever.
But when I lived in Trinidad and Tobago we had to sing the national anthem, but not every day..
rubyrubyxxilovemen 9 months ago
In my school, or at least in my homeroom, the teachers required us to stand, but hardly anyone recited it. I think the only time everyone actually DID say it was the first day of school. And I personally think that's enough, although I did say it everyday.
theartofsunshine 9 months ago
We don't sing our anthem..We pray to God!!
But because we are too sleepy,half of the school is still in its bed and the other half looks like he got stoned.And the worst part is that someone is forced to scream it in the microphone,so we make freshmen do it!!:D
Ah I love Greek freshmen!! :D
I am so mean!
AlexandraKales 9 months ago
I live in a Middle Eastern country and we have to sing our 'National Anthem' every morning. I know the words, but I never sing it XDD
urmomicous 9 months ago
I'm from Scotland in the UK and I've always found the Pledge of Allegiance really strange. For a country that's so focused on the "freedom" of the individual, it seems strangely counter-intuitive to force those individual's to make a pledge even when they don't understand or agree with the values. I'm glad I have never had to experience anything like that here. We didn't sing the national anthem in my school either. I went to state school.
UnrippedSmiles 9 months ago
in my school they just play the national anthem every morning but we don't have to sing along,,, now that i think about it hardly anyone sings along -.- we don't even agree with what it says so why should we?!
curlyo14 9 months ago
(cont.) and needless to say, if I was ever forced to pledge allegiance to another country's flag I would rather be beaten or whipped like my dad and grandfather were. Anyway, nowadays it's only required in some private schools and anyone who doesn't want to stand can sit down... I only stand during the anthem out of respect for another country. We've come a long way but many went to jail or worse for it.
gobyhomar 9 months ago
Actually what happened in Nazi Germany was something completely different..Other than that I agree. In my case I live in Puerto Rico. Here, after the American invasion in 1898, Spanish was banned from schools and students had to pledge allegiance to the US flag every morning (and not to our flag because it had been outlawed), if they didn't they were whipped or beaten by the nuns. Most of this went on till the early '80s. Needless to say my parents/grandparents are not fond of the US govermnt.
gobyhomar 9 months ago
I though it was unconstitutional to REQUIRE a student to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in a public school. The portion that states "under God" has sparked controversy because it mentions a deity which goes against the separation of church and state. It also goes against polytheistic religions that believe in multiple gods. I'm pretty sure that as of today students are only required to stand for the Pledge but are not required to recite it.
electricalbananaa 9 months ago
I think it is a good thing to say in the morning. Unlike your experiences, in elementary school we had to dissect the pledge of allegiance. I was in 2nd grade I believe when we had to translate it to our age level. I agree with the fact people have the right now to say the pledge, and that it is a bit nationalistic. But patriotism and nationalism have a thin line to cross. Thanks for making this video.
MusicSoundsLoud 9 months ago
I definitely think it is a little creepy we have little children swearing to our country almost everyday, and we don't really teach them what it means, beyond saying it means that you love your country. And I also sort of agree with you on the less patriotism and more...I forgot the word you used. I feel proud to be in the country when I see us do great acts of freedom, etc. Not when I mutter something so common it's lost all meaning. LAWLZ. We never say it in High school....ever.
cocosam96 9 months ago
Where I go to school, we say the pledge every morning. But usually my teachers don't really care or not if you actually stand and say it (except one because he was a cop.) The fact that our pledge has the words "under God" in it, gives everybody the right to not recite the pledge based on their religion. I think the religion part of it is the bigger controversy than kids not knowing what the pledge means.
TheAsemo 9 months ago
I believe that students should say the pledge of allegiance but not b/c it is expected of them but b/c they understand what it means to pledge allegiance to their country and they feel like its their patriotic duty to stand by their country. If a student doesn't feel this way I still think that they should show some respect by standing quietly while other students say the pledge, I have had classmates who talk and or just sit down in their seats during the pledge, I find this very disrespectful
mumbleman123 9 months ago
@mumbleman123 b/c they show no pride, remorse, or any kind of emotion just indifference; these students are american citizens showing a lack of respect for what their country stands for and for what that flag symbolizes, they only believe that just b/c they have the right to refuse to say the pledge they can get away with not showing respect for those who died for that flag and for their right to refuse to say that pledge, I think people who refuse to say the pledge of allegiance b/c they can
mumbleman123 9 months ago
@mumbleman123 and don't show respect for the american flag, r ignorant and deserve to live in a country where they don't have a choice, a country where if they don't pay tribute to their country or nation in whatever way is required it is considered a crime, maybe then they would learn to respect and be thankful for the freedoms they r able to enjoy by living in this country. I could definitely go on about this topic but I think I've written enough, lol.
mumbleman123 9 months ago
I never had to, I go to charter schools where its not required, so we don't.
I really like the dinosaur picture on your wall. Who drew it?
invaderzimgirl14 9 months ago
I made a response video talking about the Canadian side of this kind of thing.
It is NOT adorable -.-" its annoying.
TheRealFellner 9 months ago
Most of my high school teachers didn't make us say it. Children should at least be taught what it means. Also I hate that it includes "under god". While liking our country is something most of us agree on, religion is not.
ParagonBeaumont 9 months ago
@ParagonBeaumont I am an agnostic, and have been for a while. So every morning to make myself feel more comfortable about what I am actually saying, I say, "One nation under Canada." Just because I think it sparks some humor into the rest of my day. :) Also, my friend is muslim so she had to get her mom to sign a paper stating taht reciting the pledge would be against her religion. So I totally agree with you. :)
xaraowlx1 9 months ago
@xaraowlx1 "under Canada" Thats a good one, I'm going to teach my little brother to say it that way, since he still has to. Having to get a signature to opt out seems too far for me, we were specifically told we could stay seated if we didn't want to for whatever reason.
ParagonBeaumont 9 months ago
I'm from Canada so I was a bit confused with what the pledge of allegiance was. (I know what it sounds like I just didn't get it's purpose since it kind of sounds like our anthem but speech wise) Thanks for clearing that up in such an informative way. XD
MoonWitchRuuRuu 9 months ago
Lol yeah at my high school we sing Oh Canada everyday. But it's like the rock version accompanied by various Canadian images like beavers and moose which I have never seen having lived here my whole life.
sarahjaneysgotagun 9 months ago
I'm not a big fan of the Pledge because it doesn't really have any positive effects on kids. My school is crazy tolerant, so we don't have to say it if we don't want to. And everyone seems to still be ok with their country.
LexiPexi15 9 months ago
We don't sing Oh Canada everyday in our school now, but we did in the younger grades so we would learn the words and stuff. We also sing God Save The Queen on Remembrance Day.
I know it's not really related~ but there's one line in the anthem that says "True patriot love in all thy sons command." And people are actually trying to get it officially changed because they think "sons" is sexist.
-_- some people....
OboePirate 9 months ago
I hadn't given much thought to the Pledge although I've had to recite it everyday for the past nine years. I never understood why people didn't say it, until a few weeks ago when I saw one of my friend's pictures that read "Liberty and justice for all*
*except queers, blacks, immigrants, Muslims, women, students, Asians, Native Americans, citizens..." there were a few other groups also. Now I don't say it. . . but I do still stand, my first period teacher is to scary for me to stay seated.
rayndegrassi 9 months ago
"Adorable"? We actually use that song for everything up here, and in 2 languages! I wouldn't say it makes tons of sense to me, but adorable is a bit much. :P
But yeah, at my elementary school we always sang it at assemblies and stuff, but we actually did a project in grade 4 (I think) where we learned about everything in the anthem, what it meant, and came up with stuff we would change. I think it's a good way to show your love, and also to understand what it is you're saying you love.
Katyrific 9 months ago
You Americans and your patriotism freaks us out for real x) But I guess the Chinese are worse.... Or the Turks . So yea, I am fine with it. Although it does seem kind of systematical/methodical having to repeat the same line over and over again each morning.... Hmmm, give me another minute ;P
Xargxes 9 months ago
For some reason I always thought you lived in Canada...heh.
I said it a few times in second grade...and then we stopped. I've never recited it since.
HeckYeahImShort 9 months ago
I go to a private school. I like living here and all, but why would I pledge allegiance to this country when I'm five? I mean, when I was five I went to a public school, so I had to. I'm a kid so I don't talk about politics too much, but if you ask me, I wouldn't like to pledge allegiance to this country. Or almost any government at all. At least, it wouldn't matter when I'm a kid. It's meaningless. Words are just words, people will forget them.
Ayshafr 9 months ago
we don't have to do nothing in good old england exept what the teacher ask you though the rules are kind of stupid you're not allowed to shave your head the think it makes you look like a thug someone iknow got up in soacial inclusion for it htough we nver told of this rule they seem to make it up as they go along wouldn't it make then feel crappy if some one came into school with a shaved head and they told them off and they said yeah i did it for charity had a bit of a rant about my school
cheeseisniceable 9 months ago
i used to mouth it so the teacher wouldnt get mad but now i just dont unless im around my librarian
jesswunder95 9 months ago
urm i refreshed the vid and i cant see my coment hmmm
iiRAZZERii 9 months ago
im from england and i think if we had to sing our national anthem every morning it would make it seem less inportant and people would think of it as a part of the day as to the meaning of it
iiRAZZERii 9 months ago
I had to stand when the pledge was recited but i never recited it. and in 4th-6th grades we had to sing god bless the USA every morning after the pledge of alligance.
Inokodeyuu 9 months ago
I HAVE to stand up in my school, because if you don't it's "gross disrespect" or something. But I stopped reciting it in about 6th grade. I get frowned upon, but meh. I'm not pledging something I don't agree with / don't know much about.
Doubt1337 9 months ago
We have to PRAY to GOD in our country.
UnderstandingFnarg 9 months ago
i'm not from US but I always felt like when is imposed to the kids (a pledge or in my case the national anthem) it contradicts with the pledge objective of reinforce our freedom.
NanaRaiza 9 months ago