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Education

‘Unpatriotic’? Arabic Pledge of Allegiance Recitation at Colo. High School Sparks Controversy

Jan. 30, 2013 8:49am Billy Hallowell

Rocky Mountain High School Under Fire for Allowing Pledge in Arabic & Other Languages

Credit: AP

Controversy is brewing in Fort Collins, Colo., after a Rocky Mountain High School decided to allow a multicultural student group to recite the Pledge of Allegiance over the loudspeaker in Arabic, among other languages. The situation landed Principal Tom Lopez in hot water, with a slew of angry statements and threats being phoned into the school.

Lopez, citing an extremely diverse school body, explained that he was approached by the student-led Cultural Arms Club and asked whether pupils could recite the Pledge in languages other than English. French, Spanish and Arabic were some of the options that were chosen, with the school agreeing to allow students to read the Pledge in these tongues during morning announcements.

Recent frustration over the decision is making headlines, but this isn’t the first time that patriotism and intent have been questioned surrounding the school’s controversial Pledge allowances. The Coloradoan reports that angst over the club’s actions first began back in November:

Members in November recited the Pledge in Spanish, sparking intense debate about whether saying the words of the Pledge in any language other than English was unpatriotic.

Despite “rude” comments from classmates who disagreed with the November recital and anticipated “resistance” this week, Cultural Arms Club members decided to go forward with translating the Pledge into Arabic. They have plans for translating it into American Sign Language, Korean and possibly Chinese.

“We have a tremendous amount of diversity in our school,” the principal explained.

He defended Rocky Mountain’s decision, claiming that the Pledge is still an allegiance and devotion to the U.S., regardless of what tongue it is uttered through.

“When they pledge allegiance to United States, that’s exactly what they’re saying,” Lopez added. “They’re just using another language as their vehicle.”

What started as an attempt to recognize this diversity has ended up being a headache for Lopez, who is fielding calls from angry community members who are outraged that the Pledge is being recited in Arabic — or in any language other than English.

“I guess I’m getting worn down a little by how intense their sense of hate has been represented in some of the things they’ve written and said,” he told KSLA of the ongoing response.

In addition to the furor, Lopez said that the school has also received positive comments about the inclusive nature of the club’s approach to the Pledge.

What do you think? Should the Pledge be recited in any language other than English? Do you feel the club’s actions are beneficial to the school community — or divisive? Let us know in the comments section.

(H/T: KSLA)

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Comments (310)

a_d_deuce
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 11:13am
As a patriotic American, I can understand a little of the apprehension about having school children recite the pledge of allegence in a foreign language. That being said, as a professional linguist in the U. S. Army, having studied both Spanish and Arabic for my job I see no real problem with the students doing it. As a matter of fact, I’m overjoyed that school children of this age are being exposed to different languages. In my travels around this earth, I have noticed that Americans are viewed as takng a “higher than thou” sort of mentality by not even attempting to speak another countries language. As conservatives, don’t we rant and rave about people coming to the U. S. and not being able to speak English? My opinion is to let these kids learn another language and culture. It will only help them in the long run.

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- jeffile
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 11:27am
  Good points. However, name one country which bends over so much to accommodate other cultures and languages.
  
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- NHwinter
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 12:09pm
  a_d_deuce – Aren’t there many other ways to have students learn other languages? Why does the pledge have to be involved? Let’s not buy the progressive propaganda please.
  
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- checkingbothsides
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 2:05pm
  DEUCE – Thank you for saying this. I can’t believe a learning exercise is being advertised as treason on this site. I feel like these same people would eliminate all foreign language classes from schools if they could, cause “We speak American here!” How will our kids ever be prepared for an increasingly multipolar world if all they speak is English?
  
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- Jadedfate
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 3:57pm
  I would say most do…most other countries speak many languages and teach them along side with their native tongues..at least in Europe. I typically had no issue finding someone that spoke English while I was overseas in the Navy. If that’s not more accommodating to other cultures, not sure what is.
  
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- a_d_deuce
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 4:18pm
  I concure that there are not a lot of countries that bend over backwards to accomidate other languages / cultures. I would like to point out however that at least the students are saying the Pledge of Allegience in the first place. The fact that they can now translate it into other languages tells me that they understand the nuances of the language in order to put it into another and make it make sense. I recall that it wasn’t that long ago we were raising cain about students not being allowed to say the pledge at all. I’ll take what I can get in that regard, despite the language. Kudos to the kids for being able to do it!
  
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blankster
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 11:13am
Assimilate…assimilate…it is the law of the land…all must assimilate…say it with me…E Pluribus Unum…

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spfoam1
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 11:11am
This is poison with a sweet taste, and they know it. The sweet taste is the Pledge of Allegiance, the poison is the arabic language, or any other foreign language.

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DarthMims
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 11:07am
It is important to remember here that in other countries, it is common practice for school children to learn several different languages in order to prepare them to compete on the world stage (for jobs, business deals,etc.). If we are to lead the world, we must move away from the fear of language. The pledge said in any language is still a pledge of allegiance to the United States of America.

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txannie
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 11:01am
This is the perfect example of what is wrong in America today, starting with our children in school. When we promote multi-culturism in school instead of becoming American In a united America we encourage the atmosphere of division we have today. It is fine to remember your “roots”, but we are no longer teaching that being American is unique in the world and something to be proud of. Leave the roots teaching to the family, outside our schools, just as they demand with religion. We need to leave the old behind before we can become a new complete. Unfortunately, liberal progressives are teaching that promoting divisiveness is better than becoming a “melting pot” of everything good and none of the bad from the worlds’ cultures, a better way to lining your pockets with campaign money. Divide and conquer is the perfect democratic party m.o. and the infiltration of that agenda begins as soon as they can get their hands on our children.

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VanZorge
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:58am
in the blind belief that they are “beating the republicans”, the lefties applaud the erosion of their liberties and the undermining of their country…….. like a bunch of mindless clapping seals

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VanZorge
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:55am
multiculturalism (refusal to assimilate) is just soooooooo passé – perhaps the principal of that school missed the memo?

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- txannie
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 11:04am
  He didn’t “miss the memo”. Chances are, by reading his name in the article, he has had indoctrination from La Raza.
  
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Augustina
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:49am
@TOILETCLOGGA… The Catholic Traditional Latin Mass was and continues to be said in its centuries old Latin..Anyone, wherever they lived, any country all came together and understood in One language this Beautiful and Reverent Mass. That’s why the Benedict XVI wants All Churches to offer it and too, because he wants the youth to become familiar with it. Anyone in their right mind can see the modern vernacular ‘mass’ has been a disaster! http://www.latinmasstimes.com

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crystalsky
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:48am
when tax payers are paying for this and this is what you want No GOD when they herd you up and take you to the slaughter they will also be laughing because we have paid taxes for them to do this. Deuteronomy 28 Blessing and curses read the curses cause it is coming right in front of our eyes. and we pay for it. and they spend taxpayers dollars for it and pocket there paychecks and get richer. Deuteronomy 28:49The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue(language) thou shall not understand. 50 A Nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard (Pay respect) to the person of old, nor show favor to the young. There is blessing and cursing in Deuteronomy 28 There is more about the curses open it up and read this is for our wickedness. You can say I am a nut job while you let ahmadinjad and others in this country. who we don’t know who are here illegal with illegal guns.The politicians have this on there hands just as guilty and we have also allowed it. Deuteronomy 47 Because thou servest not the LORD Thy GOD with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things. Read the rest. Jesus is not a baby, a white or black man picture He is the Word Of GOD he does not lie. Learn the bible be cause it is coming to life in front of our eyes like never before. Accept or reject he gives you the choice

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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:43am
Who’s stopping any ‘diverse’ group from taking the pledge in the first place? It’s like a scam to create an alinsky finger to point and say “THEY wouldn’t let us take the pledge” as an excuse for never saying it.

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hgaut
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:36am
WTF! I’m Puerto Rican and am bi-lingual but this is the USA and the Pledge should be done in English. The only exception I would allow is sign language. If you don’t like it get the Heck ottah my country!

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The Big Mick
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:35am
The Thoughtful Thread Comrade is invited to read Walter Williams’ April 7, 2010 Column “Parting Company” and reflect on Williams’ “logical outcome of presuppositions” (to borrow from Theologian Francis Schaeffer). Consideration should be given, in this light, to the Pledge’s use of the term “Indivisible’.
Show of hands, is there anyone out there that remains in your Clinical Grade DENIAL that these Multicultural Collectivist Statist Redistributionists can be “reasoned” “with” or that there is “common ground” with them, or that you can “come together with” or even “civilly coexist” with them? They are Flesh Eating Zombies to your God Endowed Unalienable Individual Rights and your Created Equal Sovereignty! You can BURN em, Blow em AWAY or BE EATEN BY THEM, but those are the ONLY 3 choices THEY leave you!

So, Fellow Dumbcit, what is YOUR plan for dealing with the continued abrogation of your Sacred Liberties? Surely you’re no longer in Denial about NEVER being able to OUTVOTE them?
If you are not ACTIVELY ORGANIZING American Revolution v3.0 you are enabling the fitting of your CHAINS!

Washington, upon receiving at Mt.Vernon the news of Lexington and Concord, wrote to a friend: “the once happy and peaceful plains of America are now to be either drenched in blood or inhabited by slaves, sad alternative, but can the virtuous man hesitate in his choice?”
Can you?
Or are we simply OUT of “Virtuous Men”?

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Canyouhearus
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:29am
STOP the division of America.When you come here, you are AMERICAN.
IF you are not, then it’s time to go back where you came from.
We speak English here! Speak your foreign languages in the home…NOT in our -alled institutes of higher learning!

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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:28am
“Diversity” is just another misleading term for “community organizing” It is celebrating divisions, not differences.

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- VanZorge
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:56am
  diversity is also just another word for “refusal to assimilate”, or “tower of babel”
  
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hauschild
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:15am
Useful idiots are digging their own graves.

At first, I didn’t think they realized it, but I’m almost certainly convinced they know full well what they’re doing and don’t care.

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SweetDoug
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:15am
‘
‘
‘
‘
America is for Americans. Not for Hispanic-Americans, Arabic-Americans, Black-Americans, Russian-Americans, Greek-Americans, et cetera, ad nauseum.

You leave your culture, your language, your everything at the exit of your country.

This is why America is having the problems she is: Nobody wants to be just an American.

The threads holding her together are unravelling.

It needs to stop and a singular indentity be re-established.

Or it won’t end well with these competing interests.

•∆•
V-V

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BlasberryStrat
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:10am
Unpatriotic? YOU DAMM RIGHT! Does NOT matter who you are or what your “heritage” is, you LIVE in AMERICA. And when you are on the dole of the American tax payers, you pledge allegiance to AMERICA AND THE AMERICAN FLAG! This is NOT “Rainbow Utopia” YET!

We TRUE born Americans did not loose our grandfathers, fathers, and brothers who went to war so that we could continue to be free, just so the Towel Heads can demand that OUR children are to pledge their allegiance to THEM!

For God sakes America – WAKE UP! We as the United States of America have the right and freedom to speak and pledge our freedom without fear of being “racist” or “not tolerant”. But THAT is exactly what our tax paid schools are teaching the children – to “be ashamed of America”. WHAT THE HELL ARE PEOPLE THINKING!?

It does not even come in to play that the school is sooo diverse! IT’S AMERICA. I don’t care if you’re Arabic, Mexican, or Martian, you’re supposedly “happy” to be in the greatest country in the world, so you PLEDGE your allegance to the country that allows your freedom and feeds you! If you don’t like it, go back to Egypt, Mexico, China, Iran, etc., where you will be beaten and raped if you so much as “look” wrong!!!

STUPID DAMM MORONS! Stand up for your country EVEN THOUGH it’s AGAINST what the MTV generation DEMANDS you believe!! BE A PROUD AMERICAN FOR SAKE OF YOUR FATHERS AND GRANDFATHERS!!!!

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rockymtngal
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:08am
If Obama had his way, he’d have all of us pledging allegiance to him. Muslims wouldn’t participate in something like this.

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Jaracing2
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:06am
WHy? Why? Why? People need to quit being a bunch of bending libertards and trying to make everyone happy by giving them anthing they want at a whem. No we only say the pledge in English because this is what are language is not anything else!!!!!!!!!!!

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zman61
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:05am
although I agree that the people are still pledging allegiance to this country i do not believe that the ultimate goal of this professor is just to translate the pledge into other languages for the sake of doing so. It is just another way of indoctrinating children, and that is what these students are, into the global one world type of thinking. Until we stop this from happening this country will continue to fall further down.

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The Big Mick
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:02am
While I have to agree with Justangry about thinking through on the current State of The Republic and whether or not it remains a Fit Subject for the Loyalty of Free Men Created Equal in Sovereignty with God Endowed Unalienable Individual Rights*, there IS an Issue here that can neither be Reduced, Mitigated or Denied.
It is a Pledge to The Flag of the UNITED STATES of America and The Republic said Flag stands for.
That means Pledging True Faith and Allegiance to 1. The Constitutional Republic of UNITED States. 2. A Flag with 50 stars and 13 stripes which represent the principle “E pluribus unum”
The PRINCIPLE of ALLEGIANCE to the PRINCIPLE SHARED CULTURE is FUNDAMENTAL to ANY concept of Allegiance to The Flag and The Republic.
Which means the PRINCIPLE of ENCULTURATION is FUNDAMENTAL to The Republic.
ENGLISH is the Language of that Culture and MUST BE the SOLE Language of our SHARED Pledge of ALLEGIANCE to our SHARED REPUBLIC.
How can you make a Pledge of JOINT, MUTUAL, SHARED, COMMON ALLEGIANCE in A LANGUAGE YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS CANNOT UNDERSTAND?!

Making a Pledge in a Language UNINTELLIGIBLE to your Neighbor is NO VALID OATH, and DISLOYAL by that very fact!

Lopez “claiming that the Pledge is still an allegiance and devotion to the U.S., regardless of what tongue it is uttered through” is MORONIC .
continued

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- The Big Mick
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:13am
  Now if they want to say it FIRST in English and THEN say “this is how it sounds in my Birth Tongue”, THAT’s an attempt at ENRICHING the Shared Cultural Experience.
  But THOSE are TWO DIFFERENT THINGS! One hopes, this last was what actually occurred.
  
  HEY LOPEZ you La Raza BrownDwarf Orc POS! You gonna say it in GAELIC the Month of MARCH you….[insert preferred “Diverse” and “Multicultural” disapprobations here].
  
  *It should be noted I have refused to say the word “indivisible” in The Pledge for Decades now.
  The Republic is coterminous neither with “The Union” nor with “The Nation”. And most assuredly NOT “The Government”. It can be argued it is coterminous with The Constitution which ESTABLISHES it, but NEITHER is coterminous with the GOD ENDOWED UNALIENABLE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS and LIBERTIES both were created SOLELY to SECURE for Individuals Created Equally Sovereign!
  
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- The Big Mick
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:16am
  that should read “The PRINCIPLE of ALLEGIANCE to the PrinciPAL SHARED CULTURE is FUNDAMENTAL.”
  
  English First, English Always, English ALONE!
  
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BlackCrow
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 9:58am
“multiculturalism” is a fast track to tribal war.

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another pucker
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 9:47am
What the hell was Ellis Island about. What is not really about conformity? To some level? You came here to get away from where you were. You got rid of the old and start a new by choosing a more American name. It was probably like a baptizing, washing away the old that you had escaped from and
taking on the new that you fled to. You learned the language and the history. I have recently had an eyeopening thought after having been called a racist by the MSM. People in all white neighborhoods would be called racist by libs because of no diversity. These white’s have no rules against minorities living in their neighborhood. There are no minorities, or few, because THEY don’t want to live in diverse neighborhoods. A majority of blacks do not want to live with whites or hispanics, hispanics don’t want to live with asians or blacks etc. They segregate themselves but yet the white guilt of all libs and some non-libs allow and even push the lie that Whitey segregates minorities. This has been allowed to happen because we don’t insist on learning our language and our history. You left your history when you left your birth country. I can not segregate some one who willingly and by choice segregates themselves! Why does no one ever discuss when talking about gun crime and murders in other countries never discuss the diversity or lack of in these other countries. I am no racist and I am damn tired of being called one by people who behave this way. They are the racist!

XOXOXO

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Locked
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 9:46am
Sure, why not? We don’t have a legally mandated national language. I’d just be leery about them changing some of the phrasing. Otherwise, I don’t see the harm.

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FoxRules
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 9:45am
Diversity is a life thing always changing and always will, Education is a classroom thing you Agenda Whore SoB. Stop ruining our future with your Obama Soros Agenda BS. It’s time for another CO Teacher Firing!

Muslim plan from the 80s includes ‘Attack the minds and change the seeds from inside the heartland and let it spread out like weeds…’ ENOUGH BS, AMERICA TAKE BACK YOUR COMMUNITY AND DEMAND THEIR JOBS! (Pay attention OK and MI)

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