How did loving America become so uncool?
I recall my first days as a head teacher in the early 2000s at a very prestigious NYC school. Amidst teachers oozing with wisdom and talent, I was the youngest head teacher by a decade, eager to earn my stripes and a seat at the coveted faculty lunch table. Yes, even as an adult, popularity still revolves around the school cafeteria.
One day at that coveted table, two teachers made a remark about how "cute" it was when they walked by my first-grade classroom seeing my students standing, hand over heart, pledging allegiance to the American flag. In normal circles, this would be a compliment, but I knew better. In academia, being called "cute" is never a compliment. It was a dig for sure. I just wasn't sure why and definitely didn’t know how to respond. I was puzzled, unsure whether to laugh or thank them. Before I could decide, a veteran kindergarten teacher interjected, "Oh sweetie, that’s not required here. We don’t have those rules."
"I know it's not required," I responded, "but I think it’s an important morning ritual. Plus, the kids love it—it’s the most coveted classroom job to lead it. Students cheer when they get to lead it"
The table was silent. I believe I saw some eyes roll and even a few mouths chuckle. Huh? Did I say something funny? But luckily, the conversation went elsewhere.
I left that lunch more confused than bothered. But it definitely left a mark, as I started a new ritual, closing the classroom door before my students rose for the pledge. Nothing “cute” to see here!
Fast forward a year, and the faculty table was buzzing after our faculty breakout sessions over our required reading. The book we overviewed was about the unconscious, preprogrammed biases we all carry that influence every one of our actions and words. And because of these biases, our lives have filters from our own identities/life experiences that change our experience of the world.
The conversation from the breakout groups naturally spilled over to lunch. And unusually so, I was asked my opinion of the book by one of the senior faculty members. “What did you think of the book, Abby?” I was excited to be invited to participate in their conversation and I’m not one to not have an opinion. I went on (and on) about how much I enjoyed the book and found it transformational. The book was a real tool to help me support my students of color more from being more aware of my own biases. They nodded along enthusiastically. I was a hit! I felt like I belonged.
But, then came the zinger: “Has it made you rethink the pledge of allegiance?”
I was so confused. I didn’t understand how one had to do with the other.
The teacher continued, “You were saying how the book made you think about how your students of color must feel in the classroom. Have you ever thought about how they feel when they have to rise and say that pledge?”
Before I could even respond, another teacher listening in added, “You don’t need to be of color to not want to pledge to that flag. Look at what America stands for!” And with that, a cacophony of faculty chimed in around the table, all trying to outdo each other with their impressive knowledge of historical events of America's misgivings.
I never answered that question as I was literally saved by the bell, the lunchroom bell.
However, for the next week, that question was all I could think about. Was I insensitive to my students? Am I doing them harm? Am I racist for making my kids say the pledge? That entire week I volunteered for lunch duty avoiding that faculty table at all costs. And every morning when my students rose, a sense of dread filled me, so scared that someone would open my door and the “cute” sounds of my students would overtake the halls.
I considered cutting the pledge from the morning meeting, but never did, not because of my strong moral compass, but sadly, because I had no idea how I would explain that to first graders. What would be my reasoning when the children ask why? Which they would! If you have ever worked with first graders, then you know they notice EVERYTHING. New shoes, parting my hair on a different side, and they tend to have strong opinions, lol. They would very much notice this change, and I had no idea how to explain it. Was I going to tell them that saying the pledge was racist?! But luckily, I was taken out of my misery the following week.
It was parent-teacher conferences, and my morning started with one of my students of color's mom. She came in with teary eyes as her dad had just passed. And as she told me a bit about her father, we learned that her father and my grandfather fought in the same unit in World War II. A crazy coincidence that made both of our days. It turned out her father had just passed and was buried in his uniform. “How proud he was to be American and to serve this country.”
That was my answer.
I not only kept the pledge but taught it in American Sign Language too. However, my door remained closed, not from shame, but from a cautious acknowledgment that in this academic world, patriotism was no longer welcomed.
This story tells you all you need to know. THIS is why our students hate America.
As we march from glorifying to vilifying everything American, it’s no wonder our students seem more prepared to dismantle than to dialogue. We've morphed from educators into inadvertent revolution trainers, handing out metaphorical pitchforks instead of pencils. Despite being a scholar of our nation’s checkered past, I remain hopeful. Our union is far from perfect, but unlike most nations we have the opportunity to change that. Let's start teaching that being critical doesn’t have to mean being cynical. Maybe then, our classrooms will graduate builders, not just breakers.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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