I pledge allegiance… to no flag
Throughout our entire educational lives, we’ve been forced to stand up, place our right hand over our hearts, and recite the United States Pledge of Allegiance. But why? It’s weird, unnecessary, and offensive to some people’s personal beliefs. With the exception of a few countries, America is the only one to strongly recommend its students to say the pledge.
The original Pledge of Allegiance:
I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice.
In 1892, Christian minister Francis Bellamy wrote the original draft of the Pledge that is shown above. Bellamy hoped for the pledge to be used in any country, by any citizen; thus he made it universal. However, the line “the flag of the United States,” was added in 1923. Then again in 1954, the pledge was revised to rebuke communist threats–President Dwight D. Eisenhower strongly encouraged the U.S. Congress to add the phrase “under God.” Thus the final draft that we say each day was created.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nations under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Before World War II when the pledge was said, people would extend their arm in a military salute, but it looked too much like the Nazi salute, so it was changed to putting your right hand over your heart.
In the Supreme Court case Minersville School District vs. Gobitis, it was decided in 1940 that all students, regardless of religion, should say the pledge. Further, in 2012, former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed a law that began in the 2013 school year, requiring classrooms to have an American flag and give students time to recite the pledge each day.
The Pledge of Allegiance is not normal. What country encourages their students to gaze at striped fabric, place their hand over their heart, and recite the cult-like phrase? From a young age, we’ve been taught that we should love our country and everything that comes along with it. But, what if the country doesn’t support you or your beliefs?
As I mentioned before, Congress added the words “under God,” to the pledge, but they didn’t consider how offensive some people may find them. Seeing as the United States doesn’t have an official religion, many people aren’t comfortable saying “under God” because they don’t believe in him or practice a religion that doesn’t follow God.
Along with that, what’s the actual purpose? To show loyalty to a country? Before we go further, I want to preface by saying––I’m not anti-American nor do I hate the country. But, I am saying it’s hard to respect a country that once considered you 3/5ths a person. Why would I stand for a statement that says liberty and justice for all, yet justice is almost never served to deserving minorities? I want change.
Sarah Ventimiglia, 12, says she no longer stands for the pledge after witnessing multiple racial encounters––one of which involved me––that the school did nothing about. “In science class, during eighth grade, [a student] drew a confederate flag and waved it in your face,” Sarah said. Upset with the teacher handling, or lack thereof, she continued, “I remember going to [the principal] and asking what they were going to do with the confederate flag or if they would punish him. They basically told him to get rid of the flag...I took his flag and ripped it up.”
Ventimiglia also contributes her sitting during the pledge to Colin Kaepernick, “I agree with him and his message. I think it’s brave that he sacrificed his whole NFL career to stand up against racism,” she said.
While I understand some people may find reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to show respect to veterans who fought to keep our country free––there are other ways we can show our gratitude towards veterans.
Until the words of the Pledge of Allegiance accurately reflect the country and all get liberty and justice––I will never stand for the pledge again.
The Wind Up gladly receives feedback, and encourages students to respond to articles in the comments section. However, as a school publication, we must remove comments that use profanity, derogatory terms, or personal attacks. We appreciate the use of real names, as our staffers must publish their names along with their articles.