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!

Is it New Jersey?

God, do I love Lift Every Voice.

I know most teachers don't have a problem with kids who abstain

This may be [mostly] the case now but it certainly wasn't when I was in elementary/middle school. In fact, I think there was an entire Judy Bloom book about it.

At camp we sang God Save the Queen and my brother and I would sing My Country instead. We were just doing it to be pills though.

So would I, but there is definitely a part of our society who believes health insurance and health care is something you work for and don't just get. That segment tends to get really angry about having to fund other people's "free stuff." These are also, generally, privileged people who have been very lucky and have had jobs, money, and health insurance.

These folks also tend to get very indignant when you say they've been "lucky"; they see themselves as having worked hard for everything they've gotten. They don't seem to see that even though they may have worked hard, the element of luck has been on their side, and many people work very very hard and never get good jobs/money/healthcare.

It's just realistically, most people can't afford insurance without an employer helping out.

Especially since, the sicker you are, the more money you must spend on your healthcare, and the more your private insurance costs.

what do you all think of saying the Pledge of Allegiance?

We said it every morning in elementary school. I seem to recall that a couple kids would stand but not say it, and no one gave them any shit over it. We used to sing after, too. I said it, but I stayed silent for the God part.