Trump's NFL bullying is filtering down to America's schools - Washington Post Editorial Board
By Editorial Board October 9 at 7:25 PM
FOR 200 days, India Landry remained seated in protest during the Pledge of Allegiance at her Texas high school. Then, last week, the schools principal informed her that she would have to stand for the pledge or be forced to leave school. She chose the latter.
Ms. Landry, who says she was protesting police violence against black Americans, is now back in class after the school reversed its position following a storm of media attention. But she has filed suit against her principal and the school district, arguing that being forced to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance infringes on her free expression under the First Amendment. Shes right. The Supreme Court addressed almost exactly this question in a 1943 decision, holding that students who were Jehovahs Witnesses could not be compelled to salute the flag.
Freedom to disagree is not limited to things that do not matter much, Justice Robert Jackson wrote then, affirming the American principle that real patriotism requires not enforced conformity but embrace of difference. Unfortunately, Ms. Landrys school is not the only one that would do well to read his opinion if not as a legal document, then as a moral one. Several Louisiana public schools have announced in recent weeks that student athletes will be required to stand for the national anthem at games. And while private schools arent constrained by the Supreme Courts ruling, at least two have pulled football players from the field or off the team for anthem-related protests.
Students have always fought for the right to express themselves in schools. Whats different now, of course, is that the president has embarked on a multi-week effort to shore up political support from his base by attacking the political expression of NFL players protesting police violence. This weekend, Vice President Pence sought to revitalize the controversy by walking out of a football game after players kneeled during the anthem an apparent stunt that cost more than $200,000 in taxpayer money to shuttle Mr. Pence to the game and back. Mr. Trump tweeted that he had asked the vice president to leave if players disrespect[ed] our country.
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-nfl-bullying-is-filtering-down-to-americas-schools/2017/10/09/94c521e6-ad34-11e7-be94-fabb0f1e9ffb_story.html
ffr
(22,670 posts)You know that as soon as a democratic president is elected, they're going to lock step take knees in protest of an un-American president, for no other reason than that he/she is a democrat and not their president.
Nothing to do with freedom of speech and everything to do with vindictiveness towards fellow Americans.
DetlefK
(16,423 posts)coolsandy
(479 posts)It is sickening that Trump is winning this battle by totally re-framing the reasons for taking a knee. Fascism is right around the corner if we allow him to prevail. Write to, FAX, call, and Tweet to Goodell.
benld74
(9,904 posts)Call those out and specifically state what the real reason is, why, and tRump is doing this for divisiveness within the country.
Nobody thought about the issue before he said something
Hell, I cant even talk to the wife about it.
Shes NOT for tRump in any manner, but believes standing with hand over heart IS how to do it.
Im the opposite.
Lucky Luciano
(11,257 posts)If these people were born in Russia, they would be singing the eternal hymn to Mother Russia. By A matter of happenstance, they were born here, so the Star Spangled Banner is the most bestest bigly awesome song ever.
If your fellow citizens are happy and peaceful, that should make you as proud as you can be about your country. Game Set Match.