Teacher Argues With Student In Viral Video For Not Standing For The Pledge
The Florida teacher seen arguing with a student and calling out his heritage for not standing during the Pledge of Allegiance has been removed from the school.
@scobbydooo1 #viral #fyp ♬ original sound – <3.
The Pledge of Allegiance has become a controversial topic in modern times. What was once seen as a unifying experience is now overly politicized and even opposed by individuals who have been taught that America is “systematically racist.” Unfortunately, a Florida teacher has recently been removed from his position due to his response (that went viral) after a student refused to stand for the pledge.
The video went viral on TikTok and displays the educator scolding the student. He points out, “You are going to sit there on your butt?” The student just sits there.
He seemingly offers no defense or explanation for his actions. The video was taken from across the room so it is unclear whether the teen says something under his breath or not. This seems to only further anger the Florida teacher.
The educator tells the student to stop shaking his leg and then says, “If you want to do something, just get up and do it.” Then the Florida teacher goes further to state, “I will defend my country to the very end.” This statement escalates the situation.
It’s uncertain if the teen responded under his breath or what prompts the Florida teacher’s next argument. But he continued to display his frustration by saying, “Then go back to your… where you’re from. Mexico or Guatemala.” This is the main point of contention.
Those who support American values are allowed to do so respectfully, but once a student’s heritage and/or race is brought into question the argument is no longer about respecting the country. Many believe that the Florida teacher in question had every right to ask students to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Depending on school policy the student who refused may even be reprimanded for not doing so, but freedom of speech also protects freedom of expression and students’ right to sit during a display of patriotism has become a serious first amendment topic for some time now.
Just this past March, a student won a $90,000 settlement after a teacher punished her for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. The student had been attending Klein Oak High School in Houston, Texas. It was there that she refused to stand for the pledge and was punished by her teacher.
She was made to write the Pledge of Allegiance. Whether the teacher who ordered this punishment made any comments like the Florida teacher is uncertain. But what is known is that the lawsuit ruled in the student’s favor due to her nonreligious beliefs that were argued in court by the organization American Atheists.
While it is unclear why the student in Florida refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, concerns over anti-American lessons being pushed into public schools have become an increasing issue. This may have driven the Florida teacher’s sentiments. Unfortunately by bringing heritage and country of origin into the conversation this educator also displayed bias against one of the children he was educating, which is also a growing concern for parents — especially minority families.
The viral video has over three-hundred and seventy-one-thousand likes and has been shared over twelve-thousand times. The comments are littered with posts from students who support sitting through the Pledge of Allegiance. Despite this, the video itself is rather tame, and the situation has been resolved with the removal of the Florida teacher.
