How schools are dealing with students taking a knee

[brassmonkey]

All eyes have been on the NFL this past week, as players and teams are taking a knee in protest during the national anthem. In a method of demonstration initiated by former San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick just last year, kneeling during the country's anthem has become a symbol for players taking a stance against police brutality and racism. President Trump spoke out against the act during a rally in Alabama, as well as through a series of tweets, expressing his belief that all players protesting should be fired from the league - setting an example for school administrations dealing with similar political expressions.

The controversy surrounding taking a knee has spread to schools across the country, where student athletes have been seen following in the footsteps of professional players on their high school fields. But it wasn't until a 6-year-old boy went down on one knee in his classroom during the pledge of allegiance that parents began to realize that the political issue may need their attention.

In a first-grade classroom in Pasco County, Fla., on Monday, a young boy was reprimanded by his teacher for kneeling during the Pledge of Allegiance. Without being offered an opportunity to discuss his reasoning behind the action, the boy was told to stand up and stop his protest.

"I just wanted to let you know that this morning when it was time to do the Pledge of Allegiance, [your son] went down on one knee," the student's teacher told his mother through a text message. "I knew where he had seen it but I did tell him that in the classroom we are learning what it means to be a good citizen we're learning about respecting the United States of America and our country symbols and showing loyalty and patriotism and that we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I know its a sensitive issue but I wanted to make you aware. Thanks"

The boy's mother immediately took her case to the school's principal, requesting that her son be placed in a different class. And although the school complied, it continued to support the teacher's actions, which led the mother to share her upset with the local news station. She told the ABC affiliate that she encourages her son to "have an open mind and make decisions" and felt that was discouraged in this situation - a sentiment that child and family psychologist Barbara Greenberg agrees with.

"I am never a believer in public shame; there is nothing worse," Greenberg tells Yahoo Lifestyle. "This child is probably a curious child if he's watching what's going on in his culture. Talk to the kid quietly about his thoughts and his views - that's what should have happened."

Pasco County School District spokesperson Linda Cobbe previously explained that the school was simply following state law. However, the district's assistant superintendent, Kevin Shibley, has since issued a letter to educators about how best to handle a similar situation in the future, with a focus on avoiding public confrontations.

The idea of public shame is something that's intertwined with the topic, as the president has spoken openly about firing professional players who take a knee during the anthem. Following suit, a school in Louisiana issued a statement on Thursday telling students that they would be removed from their sports teams if they chose to kneel.

article...

[pimpmaster9000]

Freedoms shrinking...

[mikeet]

My knee hurts just reading this

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by crucifissio

Freedoms shrinking...

yep! she didn't explain why blacks that are unarmed are being killed. the pigshit cops are walking on murder!

[Rochard]

My kid's school all held hands as the sang the pledge around the school's main flag outside...

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by Rochard

My kid's school all held hands as the sang the pledge around the school's main flag outside...

smoking that cali weed? that was charlie brown you were watching!!!

[TheDynasty]

I thought they got rid of the pledge a while ago

[Gerco]

After divisive court battles, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an eloquent ruling in 1943, which is the prevailing law today, assuring students they do not have to recite or participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge under dispute in the case was accompanied by a "stiff-arm" salute. Students who did not salute were found guilty of "insubordination" and could be expelled. The Court ruled such abuses unconstitutional.
"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.
"We think the actions
of the local authorities in compelling the flag salute and pledge transcends constitutional limitations on their power and invades the sphere of intellect and spirit which it is the purpose of the First Amendment to our Constitution to reserve from all official control."
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette,ha319 U.S. 624 (1943)
Many school districts and states, post-9/11, began requiring daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. This has created divisiveness. The Freedom From Religion Foundation encourages school districts which are required to make students recite the Pledge of Allegiance to emulate the wisdom of the Madison, Wis. Metropolitan School District. Following student protests when a daily pledge was required by a new law, the school district adopted a disclaimer which is read over the PA system in every school prior to the recitation of the pledge, pointing out that America is a free country, and that students do not have to stand or participate.

[Matt 26z]

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

yep! she didn't explain why blacks that are unarmed are being killed.

Exactly 100% of those incidents begin with a black man who has no respect for authority.

Do you agree with that?

[baddog]

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

yep! she didn't explain why blacks that are unarmed are being killed. the pigshit cops are walking on murder!

You mean how black men are getting shot while resisting arrest?

[baddog]

Originally Posted by Rochard

My kid's school all held hands as the sang the pledge around the school's main flag outside...

They sing the Pledge of Allegiance? To the tune of what?

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by baddog

You mean how black men are getting shot while resisting arrest?

you wait till cops are shot and killed on traffic stops on a regular basis. they can't be trusted!

Originally Posted by Matt 26z

Exactly 100% of those incidents begin with a black man who has no respect for authority.

Do you agree with that?

killed every time! no!

[baddog]

Originally Posted by brassmonkey

you wait till cops are shot and killed on traffic stops on a regular basis. they can't be trusted!

It already happens too much; you think increasing it is going to help your people? You realize how many cops are black? Have I mentioned what a racist pig you are lately?

[Paul Markham]

He lives in a country where he has the freedom to protest.

[pornguy]

Originally Posted by Gerco

After divisive court battles, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an eloquent ruling in 1943, which is the prevailing law today, assuring students they do not have to recite or participate in the Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge under dispute in the case was accompanied by a "stiff-arm" salute. Students who did not salute were found guilty of "insubordination" and could be expelled. The Court ruled such abuses unconstitutional.
"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.
"We think the actions
of the local authorities in compelling the flag salute and pledge transcends constitutional limitations on their power and invades the sphere of intellect and spirit which it is the purpose of the First Amendment to our Constitution to reserve from all official control."
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette,ha319 U.S. 624 (1943)
Many school districts and states, post-9/11, began requiring daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. This has created divisiveness. The Freedom From Religion Foundation encourages school districts which are required to make students recite the Pledge of Allegiance to emulate the wisdom of the Madison, Wis. Metropolitan School District. Following student protests when a daily pledge was required by a new law, the school district adopted a disclaimer which is read over the PA system in every school prior to the recitation of the pledge, pointing out that America is a free country, and that students do not have to stand or participate.

right. But the part I bolded does not give them the right to do something that can also and is also being construed as disruptive to the class.

This is going to get nasty in the long run.

[brassmonkey]

Originally Posted by baddog

It already happens too much; you think increasing it is going to help your people? You realize how many cops are black? Have I mentioned what a racist pig you are lately?

did you see the one white kid killed at 7-11 by a cop?? they also killed a white homeless man. there are tons of stories out there. not just black people. you work undercover or something? you look like a biker gangster and luv pigshits

[AndyA]

let the kids do whatever they need to do