If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.
[…]
Those who begin coercive elimination of dissent soon find themselves exterminating dissenters. Compulsory unification of opinion achieves only the unanimity of the graveyard.
While it’s true that this ritual is commonly practiced in the US, it is also true that everyone has the protected right to not participate, which has been upheld in court (Frazier v. Alexandre).
Personally, I feel that choosing to exercise your civil rights is a highly patriotic act.
I would say that patriotism in small amounts can be beneficial as it can drive you to improve your country, but patriotism in too large of amounts would drive you to ignore its flaws
Even if they knew - the hurdle is too high for a kid to go through. And even if they did - they’ll probably face retribution from the school for dragging them to court.
Yeah i didn’t partake starting when as a teenager I saw Germans on thr internet expressing concern about it. Nobody said anything it was my right as an American not to pledge my allegiance to America.
I was 8 when I moved to the US. It was bizarre. Obviously, as an outsider, I felt I had to fit in. I never questioned it. I didn’t understand it. I just said the words.
I guess at some point you understand the words (I left the US before then), but by that point it’s probably become a habit. It’s still the thing that everyone else in the class does. And you still want to fit in.
Never mind understanding the politics of the US that you have the right to not do something that is habitual and seems completely normal.
Justice Robert H. Jackson, West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette
While it’s true that this ritual is commonly practiced in the US, it is also true that everyone has the protected right to not participate, which has been upheld in court (Frazier v. Alexandre).
Personally, I feel that choosing to exercise your civil rights is a highly patriotic act.
One of my favorite truisms: One thing the flag stands for is you don’t have to stand for the flag.
A certain part of your population seems to have forgotten that.
Most people are actually pretty stupid when you think about it. Myself included.
Well stop thinking about it.
This is a great line, very succinct.
I’d say you guys value patriotism too much. Typical of an empire too.
Btw, it’s what gave rise to the Nazis (among other factors).
Try Nationalism/Jingoism; Patriots actually stand up to their own country’s BS
Too much patriotism is because too little of everything else
I would say that patriotism in small amounts can be beneficial as it can drive you to improve your country, but patriotism in too large of amounts would drive you to ignore its flaws
Patriotism is borderline discrimination.
Right except most kids and teachers don’t know about that so the kid still gets forced to do it
Even if they knew - the hurdle is too high for a kid to go through. And even if they did - they’ll probably face retribution from the school for dragging them to court.
Yeah i didn’t partake starting when as a teenager I saw Germans on thr internet expressing concern about it. Nobody said anything it was my right as an American not to pledge my allegiance to America.
I was 8 when I moved to the US. It was bizarre. Obviously, as an outsider, I felt I had to fit in. I never questioned it. I didn’t understand it. I just said the words.
I guess at some point you understand the words (I left the US before then), but by that point it’s probably become a habit. It’s still the thing that everyone else in the class does. And you still want to fit in.
Never mind understanding the politics of the US that you have the right to not do something that is habitual and seems completely normal.