By: Daniel Nardini
It seems an unlikely case on the issues of free speech and prejudice. A 15 year-old high school student named Enidris Siurano Rodriguez refuses on principle to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States. For refusing to do so, she had been sent to the principal’s office and ridiculed by teachers in front of other classmates. Rodriguez believes that she should not say the Pledge of Allegiance on the viewpoint that Puerto Rico is an unfree and undemocratically ruled island by a government she considers far away. As I stated before, I do not believe that anyone should be compelled to say the Pledge of Allegiance—such a pledge should come from the heart.
But back to the case. Rodriguez, a second year student at Damascus High School in Montgomery County in Maryland, has refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance since she was 14 years old. She just sat silently during the pledge. Now whether this young lady is for Puerto Rican independence, or just simply does not accept Puerto Rico being a part of the United States, is her opinion. This opinion, allowed to exist under the U.S. Constitution, should be respected. Rodriguez is not the only person who has refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance for one reason or another at some time or another. I am not sure I can accept her reason, but her reason and freedom of speech is a valid one under the U.S. Constitution.
What is not valid is how she has been treated. In one case, for saying out loud and clearly that she was saying the Pledge of Allegiance under duress, one teacher had her go to the principal’s office to “have a discussion.” According to Rodriguez, the personnel at the principal’s office belittled Puerto Rico and her Puerto Rican heritage. In my view this is prejudice and racism, and no one has a right to do this. Another time when she refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance, a different teacher cursed out Rodriguez’s actions as “an insult to the U.S. military and military families.” There is no question in my view that there is considerable prejudice against this little lady for sticking to her conscience. There also seems to be prejudice against her for being Puerto Rican.
Trapped in this vicious situation, she contacted the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU took up her case, and sent an official letter to the principal of the high school stating that forcing her to say the Pledge of Allegiance and taking out retaliatory actions against Rodriguez is illegal and unacceptable. The principal of Damascus High School apologized to Rodriguez and her family for what this young lady endured. An apology is something, but considering the poisoned atmosphere she is living in, I doubt this will be the end of it. Many people in Puerto Rico have heard of this little lady’s case, and are coming out in support of her freedom of speech. This includes such famous celebrities as Ricky Martin and Calle 13 (the Puerto Rican reggaeton group). For me, the Pledge of Allegiance is something that must be a solemn oath of love and loyalty to the country I was born and raised in. Not everybody has the same feeling about the Pledge of Allegiance, or other oaths we may take. Again in my viewpoint it must be a matter of freedom of speech—saying things that we truly believe in.
The Strange Case of Enidris Siurano Rodriguez
By: Daniel Nardini
But back to the case. Rodriguez, a second year student at Damascus High School in Montgomery County in Maryland, has refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance since she was 14 years old. She just sat silently during the pledge. Now whether this young lady is for Puerto Rican independence, or just simply does not accept Puerto Rico being a part of the United States, is her opinion. This opinion, allowed to exist under the U.S. Constitution, should be respected. Rodriguez is not the only person who has refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance for one reason or another at some time or another. I am not sure I can accept her reason, but her reason and freedom of speech is a valid one under the U.S. Constitution.
What is not valid is how she has been treated. In one case, for saying out loud and clearly that she was saying the Pledge of Allegiance under duress, one teacher had her go to the principal’s office to “have a discussion.” According to Rodriguez, the personnel at the principal’s office belittled Puerto Rico and her Puerto Rican heritage. In my view this is prejudice and racism, and no one has a right to do this. Another time when she refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance, a different teacher cursed out Rodriguez’s actions as “an insult to the U.S. military and military families.” There is no question in my view that there is considerable prejudice against this little lady for sticking to her conscience. There also seems to be prejudice against her for being Puerto Rican.
Trapped in this vicious situation, she contacted the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The ACLU took up her case, and sent an official letter to the principal of the high school stating that forcing her to say the Pledge of Allegiance and taking out retaliatory actions against Rodriguez is illegal and unacceptable. The principal of Damascus High School apologized to Rodriguez and her family for what this young lady endured. An apology is something, but considering the poisoned atmosphere she is living in, I doubt this will be the end of it. Many people in Puerto Rico have heard of this little lady’s case, and are coming out in support of her freedom of speech. This includes such famous celebrities as Ricky Martin and Calle 13 (the Puerto Rican reggaeton group). For me, the Pledge of Allegiance is something that must be a solemn oath of love and loyalty to the country I was born and raised in. Not everybody has the same feeling about the Pledge of Allegiance, or other oaths we may take. Again in my viewpoint it must be a matter of freedom of speech—saying things that we truly believe in.