Monte

This story really makes my blood boil. I remember when I returned to high school the semester after 9/11, and the morning announcements came on during second period. That’s when they announced to us that we would all stand, say the pledge, and have a “moment of silence.” At first I thought, “Well, this may actually be a nice way to start the school year off—a moment of silence to remember those who died during 9/11. Sure, I’ll participate.”

And then the next day we had another pledge and another moment of silence, and I thought, “Okay, maybe they’re doing it for the first week of school.” And then the next week rolled around, and to my surprise, another pledge followed by yet another moment of silence.

I began to really resent this after awhile, and I realized that the “moment of silence” had nothing to do with 9/11. It was really prayer time relabeled under the new, P.C. term: “moment of silence.” The school, however, would argue that it wasn’t just for prayer, you could meditate as well.

Sure thing.

Eventually, I stopped participating in the moment of silence. I still did the pledge (I didn’t want to be killed by my classmates for my lack of patriotism), but I did start sitting down during the moment of silence—everyone else stood with their heads down. The first time I did this, everyone in class stared at me, and the teacher commented that I must have had enough of the moment of silence. I think she somewhat respected my decision.

I wish I could go back to high school for just one day. They’d get no permission slip from me. I’d sit my ass down and not say a word—both for the moment of silence and the pledge.

Edit: Regardless of what the passage says or what religion a person is, our government is not a dictatorship and can not force anybody to say anything against their will. I use the word “force” because I know few children would be willing not to participate for fear of being ridiculed and harassed by their classmates and teachers.