It is getting to the point where we may ban the American flag because it offends non-citizens who happen to be in the country. Such is the craziness that infects even the University of Wyoming, where the student government will not recite the Pledge of Allegiance because two of its members are foreign students.
http://www.campusreform.org/?ID=5691
Here is the way I see it. Should foreign students who are on the student government be forced to recite the pledge? No.
However, every country has its customs pertaining to their flag, national anthem, or other national signs of respect. Let's examine a few examples.
At international sporting competitions, when various national anthems are played, each contestant is expected to stand in respect. That is all. Accordingly, if you are a foreign visitor to the US and our national anthem is played, you are expected (not required by law) to stand. You don't have to place your hand over your heart or sing the lyrics-just stand with the others in respect.
When I was living in Thailand, every time we went to the movies, the event opened with the Royal Anthem (to the King and Royal family). We stood along with the Thais in respect. Had we not stood, we might not have gotten out of that theatre in one piece-as other ignorant foreigners learned the hard way. Any time I have been in another country, I have stood for their national anthem. It was a simple sign of respect for the country I was in-not a sign of allegiance and none was expected.
As for the case at the University of Wyoming, nobody should expect non-American students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, but it is a part of our custom in many venues. A procedure could have been worked out before-hand whereby the concerned students could enter the room after the pledge. If they are in the room, I think it would be appropriate for them to simply stand in silence with their hands at their side. An appropriate announcement could be made to the audience beforehand in order to avoid misunderstandings.
But we should not do away with our national customs for the benefit of non-citizens.
The foreign students could do what Jehovah's Witnesses do (and for that matter, what I do): stand, remain respectfully silent, and then sit down when its over.
ReplyDeleteTo me, the pledge is a violation of the Second Commandment. Its also a second rate verse from a children's magazine opportunistically tacked on to our national rituals rather late in our history, and mutilated at least twice in the process.