BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–To stand or not to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? It’s a pretty simple question that has continued to divide the nation following ex-NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s controversial decision to kneel rather than stand for the American flag.
According to a recent poll by Remington Research Group, almost two-thirds of Americans, 64%, state that NFL players should stand and be respectful during the national anthem while 24% of Americans do not believe players should stand and be respectful during the national anthem.
The divide now hits even closer to home following a Cane Bay Middle School student’s recent move to follow in Kaepernick’s footsteps by kneeling during the Pledge of Allegiance. A Berkeley County deputy who observed the student asked the child to stand. One of the child’s parents has since filed a complaint against the deputy. On Wednesday, Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis addressed the incident.
“It appears to me that this was not a police action. The child was not disciplined. He was not taken out of the office. Nothing happened to him other than a conversation that lasted a few seconds. That’s really what it amounts to,” stated Lewis.
The deputy’s brief encounter with the student has managed to generate reaction from Berkeley County residents–many who appear to overall support the deputy’s actions.
“All this wasted time and money over an officer just asking a child to stand for the pledge is absolutely mind-numbing,” stated Lonnie Ard. “Waste of the Sheriff Department’s time and resources. This shouldn’t have even went beyond the office.”
“Let that kid and his family go to another country. They don’t seem to respect this one. Why are they still here?” stated Karen Brack.
“There was nothing done wrong. He didn’t compel the student, didn’t make a scene, and conducted himself in a professional manner,” stated Jared Thompson.
Others are defending the student’s right to kneel, citing a South Carolina law which states that “a person who does not wish to participate may leave the classroom, may remain in his seat, or may express his nonparticipation in any form which does not materially infringe upon the rights of other persons or disrupt school activities.”
“It’s hilarious how many people think that you can ‘force’ others to have ‘respect’ as if it’s a physical material object that you can shove down their throat,” stated Cierra Rouse.
“Respect is a choice, and why the hell in the United States of America would you even want to force someone to do anything? That is not being an American. So what if he didn’t want to stand? That’s his choice, not yours, no matter how angry it makes you. We are not a dictatorship.”
“Standing is definitely not mandatory! Stop making something out of nothing,” stated India Nicole.
According to the sheriff, the encounter that the deputy had with the student lasted no longer than 15 seconds. Video of the incident that the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office released on Wednesday confirms the short interaction.
“He (the student) wasn’t ordered to kneel. He wasn’t made to. We didn’t put our hands on him. He was just asked to stand for the pledge of allegiance. It’s that simple,” stated Lewis. “Personally, I can tell you there’s nothing wrong with that. We are in these settings and we are in these professions to try to help kids and lead them in the right direction.”
Lewis confirmed that the sheriff’s office is currently investigating the incident, however, he doesn’t believe the deputy did anything wrong.
“Did the deputy do anything wrong? I don’t think he did. It was a harmless conversation that he had with the student,” stated Lewis. “A lot of people have died for our freedom and the freedom of that flag. I don’t think it’s too much to ask that the people stand up and recognize it. That’s my personal opinion.”
Berkeley County School District spokeswoman Katie Orvin says the student was not disciplined because it wouldn’t be in line with district policy and the policy reflects state law.
Hours after Lewis’ press conference to address the incident, the family of the student issued a statement.
In it, they claimed that it was actually the school that filed the original complaint against the officer:
My Son was involved in a very unfortunate incident on November 3, 2017, in the front office of Cane Bay Middle School. It was the School who filed the original complaint against the Officer for his inappropriate actions, not us. It was filed by the principal on behalf of the school employees who witnessed it. Several days later as we became aware of the facts, we filed a complaint in support of the School’s complaint.
To read the full statement, click here.
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