The Pledge: Do We Have to Stand?

Every Blacksburg High School student has a different morning. Some carefully plan out their breakfast, outfit, and drive to school. Others roll out of bed and hope to make it in the building. These differences make it into the classroom, too. The morning announcements blare, and when the words “please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance” come from the static-ridden intercom, not everybody stands. Why? In protest? For religious reasons? Is that even legal? Well, yes, it is legal in Virginia to not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. And as for why, everybody has a different reason for their choice whether or not to stand for the Pledge. 

Some people don’t stand for the Pledge to make a comment on their protest against the current American government, policy, etc. “I’m not happy with the state of America right now, so I don’t see a reason to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.” said Will Byers (10). The choice to not stand is symbolic to some, and they take great pride in their reasoning. However, not everybody’s choice is so well thought out… “Sometimes I don’t stand because I’m tired. It’s not that deep.” said Natalie Edwards (12). Seems everybody has different reasonings and mornings. We can’t all be politically woke at the same time.

Though politics is a large motivator in the choice not to stand, so is religion. The line in the Pledge “One nation, under God” is written to follow the Christian religion, which not everybody is comfortable quoting. Students of all different religious backgrounds attend BHS, and may not want to stand for a Pledge rooted in a separate religion. 

As covered, there are many reasons a student would choose to sit for the Pledge of Allegiance. But, they are allowed to make this choice because of Virginia’s law permitting students to sit during the Pledge if they so desire. In January 2005, the Virginia School Board voted to allow students to make their own decision regarding sitting or standing. However, the Pledge of Allegiance is required to be read in Virginia public schools under Virginia law. While students may sit for whatever reason, every classroom must hear the Pledge. 

It is important to note that not every student chooses to sit for the Pledge. In fact, the majority of students at BHS stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Some do it out of love for their country, like Josh Givens (9), “I love America, so I stand for the Pledge.” Others do it out of a sort of “pack mentality.” Like, if their friend is standing and everybody else is also standing, why shouldn’t they stand? Either way, the choice to be able to stand is equally (and often more so) exercised compared to its opposite. 

From patriotism to religion to laziness, there’s no wrong reasoning when deciding to stand or sit, as they are all legal under Virginia law. So, the next time you find yourself late to class and the Pledge has already started, you know you can walk into your first block and find people standing and sitting for multiple different reasons.

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Written by Molly Nelson

Photography by Elayna Weatherspoon