Every day, our students are asked to stand for the pledge. They instinctively rise from their seats, turn to the flag with their hand in an area somewhat over their heart, and proudly recite those famous 31 words. In the past, it was so routine that it felt meaningless, but today I see a meaning. The meaning I see is a false, forced reality for many of our children. Currently, they are routinely pledging allegiance to a flag that is showing no allegiance to 90% of our children.

The pledge has so many contradictions in today’s world. The line, “indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” feels laughable every time it is uttered. In a time where we could not be more divided, seeming as if one side will take an opposing stance regardless of how logical or rational the stance of the other side may be, simply out of pride of never admitting the other is right. Where liberty means to be free within society from restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views. Yet the children of Ohio cannot freely express themselves to those they feel safest, without the fear of their secrets being outed to those they do not trust to understand their way of life, as imposed by our state government.

Then there is justice, and there is no “justice for all” in proposing the dismantling of the Department of Education. Where is the justice in Ohio losing roughly $1.2 billion in funding for Special Education programs and Title I funding for low-income schools? Many low-income and rural districts will be forced to close or the burden of funding will fall on the citizens through significant increases in state and local taxes. Governor DeWine has already proposed a $100 million cut to public schools.

I am asking you to truly be indivisible on this matter. Stand together with your neighbors and educators for the liberty and justice of our children. You may not agree on how schools are being run, but you have to agree that they should still exist and be free for everyone. Call and write Congress. Share your story of how you or your community will be impacted. You are their boss, not the other way around. Make this a country that shows its allegiance to our students just as often as our students pledge their allegiance to it. Which is every single day.