One of the problems with the required recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance is that those who refrain, no matter what the reason, are treated like second-class citizens. Jehovah’s Witnesses learned that and won the right for everyone to refuse to take part, but even today some children still experience discrimination over it matter.
That’s what a Muslim family in Indiana is finding out:
Yusef Ali El, a Moorish-American Moslem, said the Pledge and anthem are contrary to his children’s religion. “The heart of my complaint is harassment of my children for not reciting the Pledge and national anthem,” El said Monday. “They were put out of band class.”
El said his daughter, Quenna, 18, was removed from an Oct. 3, 2003, senior assembly by Petyo because she did not stand and recite the Pledge. She was sent to the principal’s office, according to El. El said he was told by Principal Charles Hall that his children would be removed from any school activity for refusing to stand and say the Pledge. On the same day, El said, Quenna, a 2004 graduate, was reprimanded by Trimmel for not playing the “Star Spangled Banner” in band class.
It really doesn’t matter whether his reasons are good or bad, selfish or altruistic — children shouldn’t be treated badly because they refuse to participate in activities like this. Rights in American don’t mean anything if they can’t allow for dissent and disagreement like this. Unfortunately, some people are so insecure in their beliefs that they cannot tolerate the mere presence of dissent in their midst.
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