Several controversial topics recently gained national attention such as politics, citizen rights and race. There is one topic that is important to discuss that has not yet been addressed, and that is the standing for the Pledge Of Allegiance at the beginning of the day. At the start of every school day, we are told to stand for the Pledge Of Allegiance and have been doing so since Kindergarten. One issue that has come to my attention this school year is whether or not someone stands for it. In my education, I have never seen anyone not stand for the flag. When this year came and students were not standing for the Pledge, I was pretty disappointed.
I was disappointed that they think that this was acceptable to disrespect the American flag and what it stands for. I understand that if someone has a difference in opinion and wants to stand up for what they believe in, but I do not believe in disrespecting the men and women who fought and served for the United States to give you the right to voice your opinion. Every year our military fights to keep our flag and freedom standing, so the least we could do is stand to honor them for giving us our rights. I have had many family members serve overseas and when I see people disrespecting the flag, they are disrespecting my family as well. Due to current events, people think that it is acceptable because they see that the United States is not united as a whole. I would agree, except for the fact that people have decided to divide into many political groups; Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and many more. I can admit to this as well. Although many Americans, including myself, have chosen a political party to side with, I think that it is important to have the ability to overlook your political position to respect the main thing our country is about, freedom which is symbolized with the American flag.
What we should be doing instead of blaming one another is coming together to decide what will benefit our country instead of tearing it down and burning it down. Both sides have done things that are not acceptable, such as the BLM protests turning into riots, along with the protests outside the Capitol that led to the invasion. I know this is a controversial topic given that people think it is an acceptable thing to kneel for the flag since they see it on TV when the National Anthem is played at professional sporting events, but I think before anyone decides to kneel or sit before the flag, they should know the true meaning and loss behind what the flag represents. It does not only represent our Veterans, but it represents our country and who we are.