From my current perspective, I can see a purpose of a first-thing-in-the-morning ritual at schools.

When I was in first grade, we also had a vestige of prayer that was just quiet time at your desk, which also seems like a good idea.

The teacher made a half-hearted effort to stop them, then told me that I should just stand up so that they wouldn't bother me.

Ugh for both you and the teacher. Great lesson in tolerance.

When it comes to singing my national anthem, I only move the lips these days, but I stopped singing it years ago. It says stuff I can mostly agree with (as long as I ignore the Jews-only theme, which I understand why is there, but don't think it should be relevant any longer), but most people tend to interpret "To be a free people in our land" as a justification to deny the rights of others. Which is something that I just can't sing along to.

I love the national anthem because it's so bloodthirsty. I don't sing it, though, because I am a crap singer with a vocal range of less than an octave and I am not even kidding.

At our fundraising dinner last Friday, someone started a collection to get one of our board members to get up and sing. She said she'd sing the national anthem if they got at least $200. We raised $300 and everyone there sang with her. It was awesome.

I will note that at my high school, whenever we sang the National Anthem, we sang the Black National Anthem as well. Neither song is easy to sing!

We had the pledge followed by a moment of silence (which was meant to appease the people who were mad that we didn't pray) every morning, kindergarten through high school - public schools. Possibly singing in Elementary, I don't remember. As I recall, it was part of the morning announcements: pep rally on Friday, meatloaf for lunch, pledge, silence.

It's kind of weirdly mixed with reciting the times tables in my memory - similar rote learning as a group, I guess.

My mom always complained that that "under God" that got inserted always sounded wrong to her.

My kids' school does the pledge over the loudspeaker every morning. It's great motivation for the parents to get out the building before the morning bell rings, I tell you what!

In my 3rd grade class a Native American boy used to go out in the hall during the pledge. I thought that was awesome.

As soon as I realized I had a choice in the matter, I sat and did not pledge.

I would have vehemently protested being made to stand. Standing implies a level of respect for a process that disgusts me that I do not have.

oh my god, I love Lift Every Voice and Sing - LOVE IT!

In completely unrelated news, something in this office smells like maple syrup and now I want pancakes. t /preggo likes FOOD

Man, I have a temporary roommate today, to take the place of my usual roommate, who is traveling. No fair!