Were You Ever Suspended From School? [I Love to Learn]

In high school, I was suspended twice for "bullying". But I never thought of myself as that way but school had zero tolerance. I had to pull it together to graduate. Surprised I did actually.

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bijouxbroussard · F

No, but I was threatened with it for refusing to say the pledge of allegiance. The “compromise” was that I had to stand but could remain silent.

Frank52 · 70-79, M

@bijouxbroussard I often wondered if anyone refused to say those words. I just couldn't believe that all the free thinking teenagers of the USA agreed that that ritual was something they could join in with a good conscience, just as I found the words of the UK National Anthem problematic. I'm glad wisdom prevailed and a compromise was agreed. I wonder if it's even more of a challenge in schools these days? Fortunately, we never had to do more than ceremonially stand now and again.

bijouxbroussard · F

@Frank52 According to Politifact:

[quote] Students can’t be forced to say the Pledge of Allegiance under a 1943 Supreme Court decision that found it violated their First Amendment rights.

But, as CNN reported in 2019, it’s still "recited in schools across the US every day by students standing stiffly with their hands over their hearts."

That year, an 11-year-old was arrested in Florida when he told a substitute teacher he would not stand for the pledge because he thought the American flag symbolized discrimination against Black people, according to CNN, though police said he was detained because he caused a disturbance at school, not because he wouldn’t say the pledge.

[/quote]

Frank52 · 70-79, M

@bijouxbroussard That's outrageous. Who on earth thinks arresting an 11yo will change minds about their place in a country. Madness. Germany did in the 30s and N Korea still do. 😡