Here's an act of defiance on the part of a ten-year-old that deserves some applause, rather than a sit-down in a corner. It all began when Will Phillips refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance in a West Fork, Arkansas elementary school.Why did he do so? Not because it has the phrase "Under God" in it, which some have protested against. No, he did so because of the phrase "Liberty and Jutice for All" in it.
Speaking to CNN's John Roberts on CNN's American Morning on Monday, Will said he remained seated four straight days while his classmates repeated the words, "with liberty and justice for all."
Will, who wants to be a lawyer, said he was analyzing the meanings of the Pledge of Allegiance, the weekend before his protest. When asked what he found in the Pledge that caused him refusal, Will said:
"Well, I looked at the end and it said 'with liberty and justice for all.' And there isn't really liberty and justice for all. There's ... Gays and lesbians can't marry. There's still a lot of racism and sexism in the world. Um, yeah."When asked what he told his substitute teacher when he was given grief over the issue, Will said:
Roberts: "So you think then that the country isn't living up to the ideals of the Pledge, and you took it upon yourself to sit down, not recite the Pledge Allegiance until the country comes in line to embody the ideals that are embodied in the Pledge.
Will: "Yes."
"I eventually, very solemnly -- with a little bit of malice in my voice -- said, 'Mam, with all due respect, you can go jump off a bridge.'"While his father initially reacted as most parents might, which is with anger, once he spoke to Will and realized the reason for his stance, his tune changed, and he became supportive. Once again, when asked why he took the position he did, Will said:
"Because I have many -- I've grown up with a lot of people and good friends with a lot of people that are gay and I really -- I think they should have the rights all people should. And I'm not going to swear that they do."This video is from CNN's American Morning, broadcast Nov. 16, 2009, via Raw Replay.
18 comments:
Very sad that a 10 year old has to take a stand for beliefs that are a abomanation.
That kid is brilliant and well beyond his years in maturity and is highly insightful.
Maybe if more people thought about the words they were reciting, we could have a more intelligent debate... rather than things like "KEEP YOUR GOVERNMENT OUT OF MY MEDICARE"
Very sad that some people are still bigots in the world and feel the need to comment on a blog saying that gay people are abominations.
The perception and maturity of this kid is admirable. He's got guts. What's very sad is the fact that certain people leave vague, anonymous comments that attempt to look intelligent and make a point but are spelled wrong.
remember people:
the bible says a loving relationship is bad if it involves two people of the same sex.
BUT...
it's perfectly ok to take young girls as sex slaves, dismember infants in front of their parents and rape wives in front of their husbands, hold entire towns responsible for the crimes of the few, it's ok to own slaves - and beat them to death so long as they dont die immediatly from their injuries...
i could go on but whats the point?
An abomination is what you have when people put blind, unthinking faith in the words of prejudiced old men.
Imagine: a ten-year-old who has 1. thought about the Pledge, 2. thought about what it means to be free, and 3. is willing to take a stand for actual freedom and liberty. The repukes could take a lesson from him.
OMG... this is a 10 year boy! How many gay and lesbian people does he know? And has he read the new hate crimes bill...??? They now have more rights than most of us. Get real and deal with life folks - marriage is one man and one woman.
If you think that being with a person of the same sex is any worse than you judging the people who do it, you are sadly mistaken! What a Christian of you to be understanding and not judge!! HA! I will pray for you!
Sodom & Gommorah had fire come down from the sky to burn up their perversion. Here we have an example of what is coming for sodomites. Enjoy
to anonymous,
you believe that marriage is between one man and one woman . . .
my perception of marriage may be twisted and wrong to you, but to me marriage is based on love, and love can be between anyone, man and woman, woman and woman or man and man.
this 10 year old shows immense maturity about an issue that many adults still dismiss as an 'abomination'. maybe you can learn a little respect from this 10 year old.
F**K the religious bull this is all based on how one feels about another and the way they SHOULD be able to express that society has no say in that. This boy is right their is no liberty and justice for all. Love is the same for all weather it be of your brother-en or your lover it should all equal not dismissed because you don't approve. What is wrong with you people of today have you no heart? Think of it this way for those of you who have a co-sex marriage would you feel differently if you were not able to marry your wife or husband? Would that not rip you to shreds? Learn people learn!
I dont care what no one says I believe that no matter who you are or who you are in love with you should be able to marry regardless of what sex you like.
I LOVE YOU WILL
KEEP STANDING FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN
I am leaning towards the view that the kid had some influence on this matter, maybe through the father or possibly from someone else.
This marriage is based on love, and love can be between anyone..Thanks
Well I would also agree with the statement liberty and justice for all..That kid is brilliant and shows the maturity..
Nice post..The perception and maturity of this kid is admirable. He got guts.If you think that being with a person of the same sex is any worse than you judging the people who do it, you are sadly mistaken!
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