Don't miss
Home   >   Blogs   >   I Pledge Allegiance to La Bandera?

I Pledge Allegiance to La Bandera?

An elementary school in Wrightstown, WI is under fire for allowing children to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish.

A parent of a kindergartner recently attended an event at Wrightstown Elementary School where the principal invited boys and girls to recite the pledge in either English or Spanish. That prompted the concerned mom to contact FOX News Radio affiliate WTAQ in Green Bay.

The mother, who asked not to be identified, shared a copy of a letter she wrote to the principal explaining her opposition to the issue.

“Not only does reciting this in Spanish insult our family as American citizens, it is disrespectful to the veterans who have defended our country,” she wrote. “English is the primary language in this country. The Pledge of Allegiance was written in English and should be recited in English. No similar accommodations were made for other immigrant patterns in history nor should they be as long as the American flag is flying.”

The principal of the school defended the Spanish recitation explaining that he wants Spanish-speaking students to understand the importance of the pledge.

“It is my responsibility as a principal in a public school to give every student the opportunity to learn and grow as a student, no matter what their race or religion,” wrote Lee Mierow in a letter that was published online.

He praised the parent’s patriotism but reminded them that “the Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights and civil liberties of every person in this country.”

“The pledge is read and recited in Spanish by those students whose primary language is Spanish and is not recited by our English-speaking students who are not fluent in Spanish,” he wrote.

The story caught the attention of U.S. English, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group that wants to make English the official language of the nation.

“Administrators in Wrightstown owe it to their students, especially those whom English is not their first language, to instill in them the value of speaking and understanding our common language,” wrote CEO Mauro Mujica in a letter to the local newspaper. “That includes reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in English.”

The concerned parent added, “The purpose of the Pledge of Allegiance is to inspire patriotism and unify American.” And to recite it in Spanish, she said, is offensive.”

Todd Starnes is a FOX News Radio reporter and best-selling author. For more information about his book, click here.




Related posts:

  1. MA Student, 5, Warned Over Lego Gun
  2. Sandy Hook Students Start At New School
  3. The Most Annoying Words
  4. [VIDEO]: @themoneycouple Scott & Bethany Palmer Tell @kilmeade How to Save for College!
  5. School Bus Overturns in Illinois

6 Comments

  1. eleanore silva

    June 9, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    I already left a request………….what f.m. radio station can I find Fox News so I do NOT have to sit in front of the TV or computer…………….just want to listen as I go about ‘my thing’………Please at least show me how to find a station or tell me it is not so…….thanks.

  2. American

    July 7, 2010 at 11:35 am

    Hey Terry Grinnalds, mexico would love you back… I'd tell you in spanish but this is AMERICA, WE SPEAK ENGLISH.

    • atl

      November 10, 2010 at 5:03 pm

      i am an american , and I dont know if you know this or not but hispanics are the majority in this country not the minority. i agree that they should learn it in english, but knowing it in spanish helps them understand the meaning of it. afterall what is the point in receiting something just cause you are told if yo don;t know the meaning of it. and by the way mexico would love you backis "mexico te quiere de regreso". stop the recism and educate yourself you willl get further in life that way.

  3. ray

    July 8, 2010 at 9:35 am

    I don't think we need to call someone a bigot right off the bat. I'm sure she's just about fed up with illegal non-English speaking Hispanics getting so much free will and rights to do what-ever they want. How did the Hispanics make it to Wisconsin anyway?? I mean, California is West, not North for crying out loud, they'll accept illegals anyway. Let's not let them poison the rest of our country please.. Some of us actually fought for this country, and we only did it for the hard-working AMERICANS!!! And the PATRIOTIC obviously…

  4. harold willett

    September 6, 2010 at 1:05 pm

    Im trying to find out how to contact the show of Allens to tell him im the brother of one of his quest i disagree with.Any ideas how i can do this thanks.

  5. Beatrice Popper

    September 26, 2010 at 9:28 am

    I liked the comment about let them recite it in Spanish until they learn English. Teach them English and they will teach their parents.
    When I was in high school taking Spanish as a required class, a foreign language to get into a good college, we said the salute in Spanish. I saw or felt no disrespect to the United States.
    I have a daughter that teaches English to all foreign students. I am going to ask her if she includes the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. I am 83 this year of 2010.