Tennessee lawmaker should resign

Last Friday, WorldNetDaily published a story first reported by WATE-TV, an ABC affiliate in Knoxville, Tenn., about a black Tennessee state lawmaker who refuses to recite the “Pledge of Allegiance.”

The television station said lawmaker recital of the pledge – as well as a prayer – are the customary ways in which the House and Senate open each session. Been that way for years.

But now, however, one lawmaker, Rep. Henri Brooks, a Democrat from Memphis, has said in a recent interview that she doesn’t recite the pledge and hasn’t since the third grade because – now get this – the American flag “represents a nation of former slave owners …”

No, not the Confederate flag, the American flag. The stars and stripes. Uncle Sam’s outfit design. Old Glory. I guess nobody told her she ran for and won office in a state that used to sanction slavery. No irony there.

Anyway, details of her action (or, rather, non-action in this case) emerged after the Speaker of the House, Rep. Jimmy Naifeh, asked her to leave the House chambers during the opening of each session because, apparently, her refusal to stand and recite the pledge was in violation of standard House rules.

Also, truth be known, Brooks’ behavior probably served as an immense embarrassment to the entire House and to the people of Tennessee. Naifeh himself said he had been asked by a group of children on a House tour why Brooks remained in her seat while all other House members rose to recite the pledge

Miffed by Naifeh’s actions, Brooks complained (nay, whined) to the American Civil Liberties Union that the Speaker’s request somehow has violated her “constitutional rights.” In response, the ACLU has, dutifully, since written a letter to Naifeh imploring him to “reconsider” his decision or, I suppose, face a lawsuit.

Under different circumstances, I would probably defend Ms. Brooks’ right to be insulting and ungrateful to America in particular and her home state of Tennessee in general. As a private citizen, she shouldn’t be compelled to make a pledge she so obviously disagrees with.

However, she isn’t a private citizen – she is an elected official representing Americans in a state that belongs to this union. And as such, it is not unreasonable for her constituents to expect her to be loyal not only to them but to the notions, ideals, and principles of her state and the country to which it is part of.

Probably the worst thing in all of this is that she is upset about an issue (slavery) that no longer exists, hasn’t existed in years, and which she possesses no personal experience or knowledge. It is a travesty to see such a person elected under a system, an ideal, that she says she does not agree with. Amazing.

We should pity people like her – as well as other black leaders who share her view – because it’s possible they may end up wasting the better part of their lives anguishing over this ridiculous non-issue. I hate to see people exchange hope for bitterness and ignore the real, tangible progress our country has made on race issues because it is such a waste of talent, energy and enthusiasm.

In the end, Tennessee will remain an integral part of the United States and therefore, part of the same country she seems to loathe. That’s too much of a conflict of interest to me, so if she can’t even publicly affirm her belief in her own country, she should do the honorable, principled thing and step down from her office.