Student said teacher punished her with petty pop quiz for refusing to recite pledge of allegiance
A high school student feels like she is being punished by her teacher because she refused to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
—Violent Video: Texas officer caught on camera choking Black girl at high school—
Sukayla Jones, who attends Edwardsville High School in Illinois, says that when her class started reciting the pledge, she respectfully put her head down and refrained, something she had always done since she was 12.
“During the moment of silence, I don’t say anything. And when they say the pledge, I face my phone down and I’m quiet, and I don’t stand and I don’t say it,” Jones told Fox 2.
However, the teacher flipped the script, and on Monday, Jones said her English teacher gave an impromptu quiz that she believes was designed as payback for refusing to recite the pledge.
She said the test was titled, “When a substitute is present…it’s always best to….” The third answer she said read: “Refuse to stand for the Pledge and then abruptly walk out of the classroom, rather than take responsibility for your actions and simply discuss your choice in a mature manner.”
“I was, like, ‘I know this is about me because no one else has done this before in his class.’ I felt really disrespected and wrong for what I did.”
The Edwardsville School District released the following statement regarding its pledge policy:
“Edwardsville High School’s practice does not require students to stand when the pledge of allegiance is said as long as the student is not disrupting the class.”
Susan Nicholson, the girl’s mother said she believes the teacher should apologize for her pettiness.
Perhaps the Nicolson family should call Jay-Z.
Florida sixth grader Jabari Talbot, who was arrested and disciplined for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance last month because he felt the flag was offensive, got some help from Jay-Z and his Team ROC organization.
Attorney Alex Spiro stepped in on behalf of Talbot, pro bono, Complex reports.
“Jabari is a courageous and intelligent young man who deserves all the credit for standing up for his beliefs,” Spiro said in a statement. “He should’ve never been arrested or entangled in this situation—his freedom of speech rights were clearly protected under the First Amendment.”
Talbot, who attends Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in Lakeland, Florida, refused a substitute teacher’s order to stand during the Pledge of Alliance, something the school has admitted he didn’t actually have to do.
The student reportedly told the teacher that the flag was racist against Black people.
Police charged the 11-year-old student with disrupting a school function and resisting arrest without violence after he was kicked out of class, Bay 9 News reports.
Jabari’s story erupted in a wave of support online from entertainers and athletes.
Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow said it was an “injustice.” And Jacksonville Jaguars’ running back Leonard Fournette called Jabari strong for standing up for what he believed in.
“When I heard about Jabari’s arrest, I immediately had my team reach out so I could offer my support for this unjust moment,” Fournette said. “Jabari is a bright young student and I applaud him for the strength he has shown during this difficult situation. I know he’s a huge football fan and I’m looking forward to having him come to a Jaguars game this season.”
Talbot’s mother, Dhakira Talbot, thanked Roc Nation for taking up her son’s case.
“My son and I are grateful for all the athletes, entertainers, Roc Nation and community of supporters that have raised awareness about this injustice and showed their support—both publicly and privately […]” she said. “Although Jabari’s case has been dismissed, I do want people to know this isn’t just about my son—this prejudice happens to African-American kids all across the country.”
