A 10 year-old Arkansas student is challenging the time-honored tradition of saying the pledge of allegiance because he feels the values stated aren't currently holding true, due to the current lack of equal rights for gays and lesbians.
After taking a good hard look at the pledge and deciding he didn't think the ideals were currently being upheld by our country today, Will refused to stand for the pledge on Monday, October 5 while a substitute teacher was in the classroom. After angering his teacher and administrators (and of course, being punished), Will has exercised his right to freedom of speech (or unspeech) and has chosen to repeat his boycott each day since.
Will, who wants to be a lawyer, says he always tries to analyze things for what they are. In the case of the Pledge of Allegiance, he says "I really don't feel that there's currently liberty and justice for all."
- "I've grown up with a lot of people and I'm good friends with a lot of people who are gay and I think they should have the rights all people should, and I'm not going to swear that they do," the ten-year-old Phillips said.
His quiet boycott has met criticism from both school staff, administrators and students, some of whom have taken to calling him inappropriate and hateful names like "gaywad." Will says he doesn't see his protest ending anytime soon.
Jay Phillips responded to questions about whether his son is using this as a ploy to gain media attention, saying it is a cause very near to his heart. "He felt that just because he's ten years old doesn't mean he doesn't have opinions, doesn't mean he doesn't have rights, and doesn't mean he can't make a difference."
Will and his father appeared on CNN Monday morning to explain his choice in boycotting the pledge of allegiance:
Read the original story in the Arkansas Times here.
What do you think about Will's quiet boycott against the Pledge of Allegiance? Can you see where he's coming from (and do you think you'll join him) or is it uncalled for?
via HuffingtonPost
