Freedom of speech. The freedom to disagree. That’s what I think pretty much being an American represents.

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Will Phillips, an Arkansas 10-year old who refuses to recite the pledge of allegiance until gay people can marry, on what it means to be an American. Will has so far endured a substitute teacher, his school principle and plenty of taunting from his classmates for his simple protest.

There are plenty of reasons why students, or really anyone, for that matter, shouldn’t be reciting the pledge of allegiance, Will’s is as good as any.