Disclaimer: The views in this article do not reflect the views of Fossil Ridge High School or the Poudre School District. This is my opinion, and I mean no harm to anyone with another opinion, this is not meant to be an attack on the personal views of anyone else. The beliefs reflected in this article are completely my own, and I simply wanted to share my thoughts.
Now that Donald Trump is president, I refuse to say the pledge of allegiance. I don’t typically say the pledge anyway, in part because I never liked pointlessly reciting something that didn’t truly mean anything to me, but I will normally stand with the class because I don’t like being the only person seated. It’s a personal protest, in the same sort of way that a high school football player refused to stand during the Star Spangled Banner because he would not stand for a country that killed innocent black children with no justice. In the past, I would not succumb to saying the pledge because I dislike the notion that our country is in unity, when it most certainly is not. Now, I will not stand for a country that elects a man like Donald Trump for president.
I do not think Donald Trump is a good man. My personal definition of a good person is someone who accepts others and doesn’t attack them for who they are or what they believe in. Donald Trump has found no way around that. Yes, he’s a successful businessman, and in his campaign he’s targeted a group of people who feel like they need a voice. Some people agree more with his ideas on taxes, foreign policy, and health insurance. That’s okay. But you cannot deny the fact that he has made blatantly racist comments against Hispanics, and Muslims, and just about every other minority in the United States. Not to mention the way he talks about women, the way he treats women, and the way he plans on controlling women in his presidency. Excusing Donald Trump for saying that he forced himself upon a woman, whether it is true or not, as “locker room talk” excuses misogyny, and rape, and sends the message that joking about sexual assault is okay. It is not. I am fearful for my future because Donald Trump and Mike Pence think they can control me, and my body, and I’m not sure what I’m going to do with that. I will not stand for a country that elects a man who is the embodiment of everything America should not stand for.
America was moving towards a brighter future before Donald Trump got the idea in his head that he wanted to be president. Just over a year ago the Supreme Court passed the decision that bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional. President Obama was initiating an acceptance of trans and nonbinary people into legal documents, and laws were starting to be passed to allow trans men and women into the bathroom of their chosen gender, not the one assigned to them at birth. We were a nation headed toward more equality. Look at this election, and how close it was. Hillary Clinton did win the popular vote, after all. We were so very close to having the first-ever woman president. Do you know how much of an impact that would have had on gender equality in the rest of the world? Seeing a woman as Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful country in the world would have been a major proponent of girls’ rights in developing countries. But no. Instead, America chose Donald Trump, and I would rather not be associated with a country that chooses Donald Trump.
Not only is Donald Trump bad for America, he is bad for the world. Already, before all election votes were in, world stocks dropped. The New York Times reported that stocks in Japan plunged, Dow futures were down 800 points, and the NASDAQ halted futures trading around midnight on November 9. While the market typically crashes during elections, these immediate and drastic results are similar to those after Brexit, when the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union – another close election people thought would go another way. The rest of the world fears the instability that Donald Trump’s presidency will bring – except Vladimir Putin, of course. I will not stand for a country whose reckless decisions have caused major conflicts in other parts of the world.
I see no unity in America, therefore I will not stand for the pledge of allegiance. Its purpose is to show patriotism, a major group of people bound together under a united front of freedom. I do not feel united. In seventh grade, I read a book about Cambodian immigrants called Children of the River by Linda Crew. I distinctly remember a section of the book where this girl was at a football game, and she was criticizing the way these teenage boys were making fun of the national anthem. For her family, the national anthem was a great symbol of America, so much so that it brought her father to tears. The United States gave them solitude from a country in a civil war, where they would have been subjected to genocide or displacement. Our country gave these people a chance, and for that they loved it. I am ashamed to be a part of a country that now makes immigrants fear for their lives because others will not think twice about attacking them for their religion, or trying to force them out of a place that is their home too.
I, a young woman, will not stand for the pledge of allegiance because half the population of this country does not stand for me. Under Donald Trump, I will not stand for the pledge of allegiance because Donald Trump should not stand for America.
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Amy Haass • Dec 19, 2016 at 7:21 am
This comment was submitted by Amy Haass on Friday, December 19:
First off, I would like to say that I respect everyone’s personal opinions and their right to express them however they please. I am simply commenting on this article because I would like to see representation of my own opinion. While I understand the controversy surrounding President Trump’s winning of the election, I am appalled that someone would say that they “Refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance under President Trump”. I take personal pride in the country we live in, I do not see how one could not. The United States of America has forever lead the World in science and technology, culture and business. The achievements of this country are remarkable, and the rights offered to citizens make America one of the most desired places to live on Earth. Anyone has the right to not stand for the pledge, I am in no way saying that it should be mandatory because that would violate the very rights that make America so great, but I believe there is importance in it, it is not “Meaningless” as the article has described it. The pledge of allegiance is a sign of respect, respect for our founding fathers, respect for the countless people who have died in the fight to preserve this country and its rights, respect for the diversity of people who live and strive in this country, and especially respect for our leader, which after this election happens to be Trump. Donald Trump is massacred in the media, he is portrayed to be an evil, racist and misogynistic man, which none of these are true. The commercials used against Trump do not show the full story of who he is. Of course he has had bad moments where he possibly made inappropriate comments or claims, but if someone followed you around constantly filming everything that you said, I’m sure they would be able to edit together a video making you seem as villainous as he is portrayed. If you take the time to seek out clips of his positive moments, then you would see he’s actually a level headed and charismatic leader.
I personally believe that Donald Trump is an outstanding example of a patriot and exactly what our country needs. In the past he has made comments about women which I will agree could be perceived badly, but I would hardly call him a sexist. Trump believes in rewarding opportunity and respect to those worthy of it, and gender does not play into that. I can not comprehend how a person can call Trump misogynistic yet so quickly forget about the scandal surrounding Bill Clinton’s presidency and sexual harassment issues. When Bill Clinton was accused of sexual harassment Hillary Clinton had no problem publicly slandering the women making these claims. Where was the respect for women’s rights and their bodies then? I would additionally argue that calling Trump a racist is quite a far stretch. He has made many claims about strengthening border control, and wants to control immigration in a positive way, he does not hate immigrants or want to deport them just to be vicious. The fact of the matter is, our country is trillions of dollars in debt, we do not have the financial ability to support millions of people who enter the United States illegally and do not pay any taxes yet still reap the benefits of American government. Trump simply wants all immigrants to enter the United States in an organized, legal way, which is more than reasonable. Trump does not think illegal immigrants are necessarily bad people, but they absolutely are criminals. Never has it been legally acceptable to bypass border control. Regardless of whether or not you agree with the opinions of Trump or myself, he is owed basic respect. Trump ran an honest campaign, he had no hidden agendas, the people of America saw what he stood for, and they wanted to elect him. It is insignificant that he did not win the popular vote, presidency is based off electoral vote as it always has been since the constitution was written.
Donald Trump has wanted this presidency for a significant period of time. Though his official campaign was run in 2016, he has been preparing for this position all of his adult life. He is a respected business figure with a wealth of knowledge about economics and he has the potential to turn around the unemployment and financial struggle in America. I ask you to place trust in the people of America and their decision to elect Trump, detest him if you want, but do not protest this country, the one that has given you very right and opportunity you’ve ever had.
Annonymous • Dec 8, 2016 at 6:58 pm
SLAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY SERENAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA YOU GO GIRL
Annonymous • Dec 8, 2016 at 6:58 pm
I agree
Ella Fogarty • Nov 22, 2016 at 10:13 am
I agree with this so much, the comments on this are ridiculous. I haven’t stood for the pledge since Ferguson happened, but I feel like I’m sitting down extra angrily now. This is so great I love this editorial
Collin E. Campbell • Nov 21, 2016 at 1:21 pm
I respect your opinion to a point. When it becomes false and degrading. I don’t stand for the pledge because of the way this country treats its veterans.
One of your major points was the drop in stock markets, which went straight back up shortly after the results. The only reason it went down was because investors were scared of the election and weren’t sure about the results and how it would affect them.
He is not an inherently racist man, his statements were blown out of proportion. “Some of the Mexicans who come here illegally are criminals.” -Donald Trump. This was said in a debate, but the media spun it out of proportion and labeled him racist. Another comment “We should temporarily stop Muslim immigration from the middle-east until we figure out how to screen out terrorists.” The media retaliated, calling him racist.
I will be honest, he has been very sexist in the past. His statements and actions are inexcusable, but are we going to ignore the actions of Bill Clinton? Or how Hillary Clinton let him do what he did? Not to mention that Hillary has lied and changed her opinion to whatever will get her the popular vote. Such an example is the TPP, supporting and then pretending she never did.
I will admit again, I do not like the man. But an honest businessman who has great ideas on economy and foreign policy is what we need. I don’t agree with mass deportation, but further illegal immigration must stop. Trickle-down economics are exactly what we need to rekindle a dying and crippled country.
If you want further discussion then please contact me at [email protected].
Michel Thibault • Nov 15, 2016 at 3:53 pm
I don’t want you to stop practicing politics because it’s something you develop over time. So keep up the good work although currently you are on the wrong side of the fence!
You spoke above about Donald being anti gay. You failed to mention that just a few years ago Hillary and Obama both stood for marriage between one man, one woman. So the only difference between the people you admire and the people I respect is your candidate lies to you to gain your vote.
You speak about President Trump hating Mexicans because of his immigration rhetoric yet in 1995 then President Clinton gave an almost identical speech in which he spoke of the need to deport to get our jobs back, etc. Hillary Clinton referred to blacks as super predators, but Donald has the problem? Obama attended a radical racist church led by Reverend Wright for twenty five years, how do you feel about that? Youtube his name and TRY to listen to him speak for five minutes. This man has more hate in his heart then most men alive. He married Obama…. Baptized his kids.
Look man, you are dead wrong about Trump. Electing someone from the outside just had to be done. Our government is completely corrupt and the American people stepped forward and voted against it because they knew the dark road Hillary Clinton was about to take us down. Under Hillary we have healthcare cost disasters, an ancient infrastructure, and bad energy and tax policies. She will do nothing to help the common man. Trump has promised to drain the swamp and get all the thieves and bad policies out to make this country great again.
Anonymous • Nov 12, 2016 at 12:13 pm
I agree actually 100% and respect you so much for posting this. It may be a small act of protest, but it still says something about how the women of this country wont deal with Donald Trump. I’ve noticed a lot of girls in our school stop wearing bras and shaving in their own personal protest. I respect it a lot.
Anonymous • Nov 12, 2016 at 1:36 am
I also respectfully disagree. From what I see, Donald Trump has taken some pretty bold positions in the past 40+ years and hasn’t backed down on the majority of them. What we never see in the media is past interviews or recordings from either candidate and what we see in those are two very different people than we see today. I think it was in an interview in 1979 where a reporter asked Trump about a possible campaign for presidency and he replied no simply because to be a successful politician, you have to be willing to get dirty and that is exactly what he did. But right up until that point in which he announced candadicy, he really was a much more formal and professional man. And that is the same behavior he promised to express if he actually won. Just like any other smart business man, he put on a mask to use as leverage against his opponent and that worked. But besides that,what really shocks me are all of these reactions people are having. Riots, wounded civilians, and broken property. What will that solve? In the past few days, people who have found out that I voted for Donald Trump have accused me as being sexist, racist, and even a supporter of rape. I have been denied gas and basic services from restaurants. How can a political party centered around equality and having love for everyone possibly justify this? If anything, aren’t these people behaving just like the “white Hicks” at Trump rallies were accused of doing just weeks ago? What’s done is done and people need to accept that. Gay people are terrified for their rights when there are multiple accounts of Trump hoping to ensure the same benefits provided by the government to any marriage, shouldn’t we hold that to him? Other issues which people bring up in a lot of cases really just are not true. Believe me, I am no happier than the next guy that Donald Trump is the next president of the united States but I was willing to give him a chance because when you look back at the person he was more than thirty years ago vs the person Hillary was at the same time, some of the facts are just baffling. The issue now is young voters believe everything they hear on the news and thats only been focused on Trump “mean words” or other remarks and it just is not fair to judge a man based in what you hear on TV. But look back at the confident man he was before this campaign began and I think it will change your perspective on what he wants to do. And all that has ever been is safety for our families jobs to provide to those families, and a once again strong nation built of unified people. And that is why we say the pledge every day. Because if we are not willing to be unified even if it’s just through those few words, how can we be expected to be the example so many impoverished people around the world look to for hope in their lives. We can’t let the election of one man ruin a reputation 238 years in the making.
Anonymous • Nov 12, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Mike Pence believes in conversion therapy and is very against trans people using the bathrooms they want. How is that okay for the LGBT community?
Anonymous • Nov 12, 2016 at 3:46 pm
That has nothing to do with this editorial. But as for your remark, those of the LGBT community will not be affected negatively. They have already gained rights. Donald Trump has stated publically that he doesn’t care how they want to live their lives, and will leave it up to the states. “Conversion therapy” won’t be pushed upon people and their restroom rights won’t be taken away. What he cares about keeping borders safe and having a strong militia. Mike Pence may not fully agree with their lifestyles due to his background, but the LGBT rights will not change.
Collin E. Campbell • Nov 21, 2016 at 1:24 pm
That is entirely false, he supports conversion therapy for those who WANT to go through with it. He has never said he would ever force it upon other people. Trans people should use the bathrooms they like, within reason. If they are masculine in appearance and all signs point to being male, they should not enter a female restroom. This only presents opportunity for rape and sexual assault without rules and moderation.
If you would like further discussion then contact me at [email protected].
Anonymous • Nov 11, 2016 at 10:31 pm
I respectfully disagree. I think that you have the wrong idea. You see, we are Americans no matter who the President is. WE the PEOPLE make America what it is and what it stands for today, not just one singular man. Like it or not, he is the president. You don’t have to love him, but if you are an American citizen, then respect the pledge for what we actually stand for. When you stand for the pledge, you’re not standing under Donald Trump– you are standing for those who fought for our safety and freedoms. It disgusts me when I see people who don’t stand for the pledge because they are disrespecting all the soldiers who were men, women, fathers, mothers, children, who gave their lives for you and me. I will always stand true to this country and stand courageously and gratefully during the pledge because I know and am beyond grateful for those who made it mean something. You can blame him all you want, but when it comes to rising for the pledge, Donald Trump has nothing to do with that.