Texas student's refusal to say Mexican pledge. Texas - Every day students in Texas public schools pledge allegiance to the flags of the United States and Texas.
But when a teacher in a Rio Grande Valley high school assigned students to stand and pledge allegiance to the Mexican flag and sing Mexico's national anthem, one student refused.
The resulting controversy has one East Texas lawmaker wanting changes in the state's curriculum on how culture and patriotism are taught in schools.
15-year-old Brenda Brinsdon entered her sophomore year at McAllen ISD's Achieve Early College High School just wanting to do well in her classes.
But in mid-September she got an unexpected lesson on personal conviction and taking on the system.
"I feel that I did what's right," Brinsdon said. "And I know what I did what's right [...] I'm going to stand my ground."
Brinsdon said she stood her ground by staying seated when first-year Spanish 3 teacher Reyna Santos assigned her class to stand and recite Mexico's pledge of allegiance.
Students stood with right arms straight out and palms down, which is how the school district says Mexicans say their pledge.
