Will Phillips
10-year-old Will Phillips won’t say the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance.
A sharp child (he skipped the 4th grade altogether), Will decided that he could not pledge fealty to any country that chooses to discriminate against gay people. He has remained firmly seated and silent when his classmates say their daily Pledge.
His parents agree with his right to do so. His school agrees with his right as well, although the usual collection of waterheads and future “you-want-fries-with-that?” classmates taunt him and call him “gaywad”.
When he was asked what he thought being an American meant, his quick response was
“Freedom of speech. The freedom to disagree. That’s what I think pretty much being an American represents.”
