Letter: Disrespect a major problem

I am responding to the article about the student at Battery Creek High School who wouldn’t stand for the pledge of allegiance. I don’t agree with the teacher telling the student to go back to Africa but the fact that half the class did not stand for the pledge of allegiance is a sign of a deeper issue that needs to be addressed: disrespect.

How many of those students receive services connected with being an American citizen, i.e. military, public education, etc.? Do those students realize that before 1850, an education was a privilege that many families could not afford and therefore they could not read and write?

I realize the teacher in the article was a science teacher, but believe he missed a teachable moment when he didn’t ask students why they refuse to stand for the pledge and start a discussion. Definitely worth a class period.

It might be worth those students’ time to read the pledge, especially the last line that states “with liberty and justice for all.” Would they have those same rights and protections in a different country? Perhaps they should do research and find out. If they still don’t want to show respect for our flag and country, then they should look at where they would feel differently and go there.

Where is the disrespect coming from? Don’t all of us bear responsibility for the way our culture is trending? It doesn’t have to continue this way.

This story was originally published May 12, 2016 at 5:57 PM with the headline "Letter: Disrespect a major problem."