In the 1950s, Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-Wisconsin) was the face of a witch-hunt in America that was thoroughly committed to rooting out Communist sympathies and preventing the United States from succumbing to Communist subversion. In the modern day, Hastings Public Schools, in Nebraska, is still committed to stopping Communism from becoming part of the United States.
Administrators for Hastings Public Schools have asked the district’s staff to pledge their loyalty and devotion to the United States by signing a loyalty-pledge to the nation. The reasoning lies in a 1951 state law that is still on the books in Nebraska.
Hastings Public Schools superintendent said to the Associated Press:
“‘We’re not trying to violate anyone’s constitutional rights. As a public school, we can’t selectively decide what laws we abide by and which ones we don’t. I just hope we don’t get dragged into something that’s above our level.'”
Even though administrators for Hastings Public Schools claim they are not trying to violate anyone’s constitutional rights, they actually are. Amy Miller, legal director for the ACLU of Nebraska, states that the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that employees cannot be required to sign pledges or oaths.
Miller further stated in a letter:
“The employees we’ve spoken to love their jobs. But they have deeply held beliefs that do not permit them to sign an outdated McCarthy era pledge. I am sure that your office wants to support valuable employees and not force them to choose between their jobs and their principles.
Hastings Public Schools could face a lawsuit from disgruntled employees if they continue to press the issue by forcing Hastings Public Schools staff to sign the following pledge:
I, ………………, do believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; an indissoluble nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I acknowledge it to be my duty to inculcate in the hearts and minds of all pupils in my care, so far as it is in my power to do, (1) an understanding of the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Nebraska, (2) a knowledge of the history of the nation and of the sacrifices that have been made in order that it might achieve its present greatness, (3) a love and devotion to the policies and institutions that have made America the finest country in the world in which to live, and (4) opposition to all organizations and activities that would destroy our present form of government.
Wow, that’s intense.
Featured image via WikiMedia
