Not Standing For The Pledge Of Allegiance

When I came to America in 1977 and entered sixth grade, I tried to get away with not standing for the pledge of allegiance. I said that I was an Australian, not an American, and I should not have to stand.

The teacher insisted that I stand but said I did not have to say the pledge.

(I became an American citizen in 1991.)

If I were covering a president of the United States or anyone in the world, I would not stand. To stand up when someone comes into a room puts you in a sort of obeisance to that person and as a reporter, I would not want to do that. I don’t think I’d bow to the emperor of Japan either.