Going to
public school has been an interesting experience.
It has been invigorating, challenging and shocking.
Recently, I was confronted with a situation that I
never could have imagined. It should deeply
concern all of us.
I walked into class on Tuesday, and I sat down.
The kid behind me tapped me on the shoulder. Out
of his mouth came words I thought I would never hear.
"Tomorrow, don't stand up for the Pledge of
Allegiance."
I looked at him and a very loud, "What!?!" was the
reply. He said, "Today, some kid in my class
didn't stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance, and the
teacher made him, so I'm doing it to make a point and
stand up for his rights."
Well, this was bad enough. Tuscola High is one
of the few schools in the country that starts every
day with the Pledge of Allegiance. Students are not
forced to say it if they so choose, but they must
stand to show respect. I thought this was
universally understood at our school. It's
school policy. It is something that should be
done in every school.
I pointed out to my friend that it is important for us
to show respect and devotion to our country and kindly
asked where his patriotism was. I was informed
that standing up for someone else's rights is
patriotism. To my dismay, I wasn't able to
respond because another member of the class spoke up.
This supremely intelligent being informed the class
that she never stood up for the Pledge because "Bush
is an idiot." I asked her what that had to do
with being an American. She said that she had
the right to not stand for the pledge because of Bush.
Without much restraint I informed her that whether or
not you agree with the President had nothing to do
with patriotism. She added greatly to this
intellectual discussion by again yelling out that
"Bush is an idiot."
I said number one, it was unfortunate that she felt
that way, because over 60 million other people
disagreed with her. At this point, I asked her
if she thought Bush was stupid. It was an
appropriate question. Liberals love to accuse
the President of being the dumb guy in the room.
Predictably, she said, "Yes," she did think he was
stupid. I then asked her if she thought Bush
lied to the American people to mislead us into war
with Iraq. She again answered, "Yes." I asked
her how, if Bush is so stupid, did he fool the entire
world into thinking that Saddam had weapons of mass
destruction? She didn't have an answer.
Needless to say, the whole rest of the week was spent
on the idea of patriotism. We wrote essays on
it.
Why do I relate this story? To illustrate a
point. American kids have no concept of the
amazing privilege they have. We live in the
greatest country in the world, yet we have people that
cannot grasp that concept. The basic idea of
patriotism is rooted in a love for your fellow man.
Because you love your fellow man, you love the country
in which you live. This is the country that gave
you your birth. This is the country that gave you your
freedom. This country, through the Declaration
of Independence and the Constitution, gives you both
protection and freedom, both with no strings attached.
In return, we should give our nation our love,
devotion, and deep respect.
This is patriotism. This is an essential quality
that America's youth is missing. Kids my age
have no concept whatsoever of other countries in the
world that have no freedom, no liberty and are not
truly great. America is truly great. Not because
of our monetary wealth, but because we consider the
wealth of the individual human being. The
citizen, the individual is the true wealth of a
nation. That is why we can be patriotic because
through its people, America is truly wealthy.
It is time for us to wake up and educate our young
people as to the concepts and practices of patriotism
before it is too late. In the 60's when prayer
was taken out of schools, we Christian Conservatives
sat on our blessed ass-urance and did nothing.
When the Supreme Court illegally legalized abortion,
Christian Conservatives did the same thing. It
is time for us to do something. It is time for
us to take back our public schools. It is time
for us to actually start teaching history, not liberal
dogma. It is time for the values of patriotism
to become the norm once again.
My dad and I recently stopped at Arlington National
Cemetery on our way back from Vermont. Walking
among the rows and rows of white crosses in that
wonderful, horrible, hallowed place was the most
amazing experience I have ever had. Whether
these men in life were rich or poor, black or white,
Democrat or Republican, they were all Americans.
They all sacrificed their lives for their country, the
ultimate act of patriotism. We must not allow
ourselves to forget. Rather let us take upon ourselves
the spirit of Nathan Hale, who being hanged by the
British for being a Patriot spy said his one regret
was, "That I have but one life to give for my
country."
by Brian Sears
bcsears@praize.com
Brian Sears is a sophomore at Tuscola High School. He
is the founder of the Haywood County Teenage
Republican Club and the Executive Director for Draft
Mike Pence for President in the 11th District. He
lives in Waynesville with his parents and siblings.
