Bullied into supporting the pledge bill, legislators put kids at risk of bullying at school

By Naseem Rakha of Silverton, Oregon. Naseem is a journalist who has appeared many times on National Public Radio and the author of the acclaimed novel, The Crying Tree. Learn more at NaseemRakha.com.

I am 100% AGAINST the Oregon Legislature's attempt to force kids to recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day at school. Yesterday HB 2896 HB 3014 passed the House - unanimously by a 42-16 vote, and it is on it's way to the Senate. Let's be clear - this is a cowardly vote. The bill is nothing more than a litmus test. A jingoist's barometer. And every lawmaker that votes for it knows this. And if they don't, they're stupid.

If simply reciting a pledge creates allegiance, then why don't the 60 42 House members who voted for this bill go home and have their kids recite a pledge to them? It could happen before dinner. Everyone line up, hand on heart, and off you go -- I pledge allegiance to my parents...

We don't do this because pledges don't work. Read a little history. Maybe start with Communist China. Mao. The Little Red Book.

Lawmakers are quick to point out that no one would be forced to say the pledge; that students could sit it out.

And to this I say, with all due respect -- are you fricking kidding me?

We are talking about the most peer-plagued, bully-ridden portion of a kid's life. Lawmakers, please, dip into the memory bank. Think middle school. How many state sanctioned activities did you opt out from? Especially with the baggage that the Pledge of Allegiance carries.

If reciting the pledge means you are a patriot, then in some people's minds, opting out would mean you are not. Think I'm wrong? How many of the lawmakers voted for the 'Pledge to Pledge' bill because of that reason alone? They didn't want to be bullied by their flag-waving, tea-toting colleagues in the capitol, but the hell with our kids and what they'd face if they show the strength of character our politicians did not.

This bill is wrong.

It is cowardly. And it sacrifices opportunities to create true allegiance to the wonderful diversity of opinions this country is supposed to honor.

Tell your Senators to vote NO on HB 2896 HB 3014.

Editor's note: This post has been updated with the correct bill number and vote count. Hat tip to former Speaker Dave Hunt.

April 24, 2013