A high school in Colorado has decided to allow its students to say the pledge of allegiance in Arabic. Students received some heat from their contemporaries, but mingled in among the harsh words, were words of praise. Its takes a special kind of bravery to be able to speak what is arguably one of the most powerful statements in a language that is seen by many in the United States as inferior.

“No matter what language it’s said in, pledging your allegiance to the United States is the same in every language,” said sophomore club member Skyler Bowden. School recites pledge in Arabic

When I was a child, I once got in trouble for saying the pledge in Spanish. About ten years later, prominent members of the Hispanic community released a version of the star spangled Banner fully in Spanish to combat the rising racism and border controversies against undocumented workers specifically, and Hispanics in general. To this day, I prefer the Spanish version, “Neustro Himno”, to our Star Spangled banner.

I also congratulate the high school students for taking a step towards true cultural competence. These students are our country’s future, and they make me proud.