Student refuses to stand for Pledge of Allegiance to show support for gay marriage

As a young fifth grader, Will Phillips is showing Americans that you don’t have to be an adult to stand up for what you believe in. Actually, his idea of spreading a political message doesn’t even require him to stand up. Phillips, and 10-year-old from West Fork Elementary in Arkansas, refuses to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to demonstrate his dismay regarding discrimination against gays and lesbians. According to Phillips, the U.S. has failed to provide equality and civil rights for homosexuals, and that goes against what the Pledge of Allegiance represents.

The politically charged boy told CNN that he is aspiring to be a lawyer, and merely wants to do what is right.

“I’ve grown up with a lot of people and I’m good friends with a lot of people who are gay and I think they should have the rights all people should,” said Phillips.

On Monday, Oct. 5, when the other kids in his class stood up to recite the pledge of allegiance, Phillips remained sitting down. The class had a substitute teacher that week who tried to make him stand up. The student respectfully refused. He did it again the next day, and the next day. His parents have shown support for Phillips’ protest.

However, his actions did not come without criticism from his peers. Phillips was taunted and called a “gaywad” by his classmates. But that didn’t convince him to stop showing support for gay marriage. He continues to sit down for the Pledge.

One of the most difficult actions a child can take is to express a message that is not widely accepted among his peers. Kids generally strive to blend in with the crowd and not do anything that can possibly bring forth criticism. Phillips is not afraid of losing friends, or being punished for his actions. At an extremely young age, he was able to identify a massive injustice in a country that is supposed to be “the land of the free.” He is not afraid to speak out against something he disagrees with, and that alone takes a great deal of courage.

Injustices are never corrected unless people are vocal about them. Kids like Phillips actually grow up to change the world and create a brighter future. His actions have nothing to do with a lack of patriotism, or disrespect for the country. Peaceful protest and political participation is what the founders of the Constitution encouraged.