Pledge of Allegiance Debate
By Kathryn Harrell

All schools will be required to make time for the Pledge of Allegiance if pending legislation passes. However, the legislation would not require that individuals recite the pledge if they do not feel comfortable for political or religious reasons.

Greg Ford, the Assistant Principal for Durant Road Elementary School in Raleigh says that although some students might choose not to participate, the pledge is part of the history curriculum taught in schools.

“The pledge, which of course is an outgrowth of patriotism and nationalism that goes back hundreds of years, it’s part of the curriculum to teach kids what the roots and values are so by the upper grades they have the curriculum to make that choice,” said Ford.

North Carolina does not outlaw the pledge and leaves the decision to each school district. Passing the bill would require all school districts to participate.