The Pledge of Allegiance Essay - 1845 Words

At the beginning of each day in many public and private schools around the country, students stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. In fact, 35 states have passed laws mandating that the Pledge be recited on a daily basis. This issue has been a source of controversy for years. On one side of the argument exists families and educators who believe in the citizenship and patriotism that reciting the Pledge brings (Chiodo, 2011). On the opposing side, families and educators argue the possible threat to an individual’s First Amendment freedoms. Before analyzing the above described controversy, we must first examine the history of the Pledge itself. Written by Francis Bellamy, it was originally titled the â€Å"Pledge to the Flag† and was†¦show more content†¦Author Laurie Bennett explains that, â€Å"In the aftermath [†¦] people were hungry for social rituals and eager to communicate a deeper sense of national belonging. They looked for symbols and rituals that could unite them and forge bonds of community anew† (Bennett, 2004). One such ritual was the Pledge of Allegiance, which President George Bush led the entire nation in just days after 9/11. Many state legislatures also looked for ways to access strength and unity by integrating themes of patriotism into the public schools. This increased emphasis on patriotic exercise, although stemming somewhat from the 9/11 crisis, also came from other sources as well. â€Å"Many authors and policymakers have expressed concern about the decline in civil engagement or attention to public life in the U.S. population generally, and among young people in particular. A Subcommittee on Civic Education of the federal judiciary has noted that ‘a high level of civic disengagement, especially among the young, demands a re-commitment to education for active and effective citizenship’† (Bennett, 2004). Therefore, many state governments have embraced the mandating of the Pledge in order to accomplish such a recommitment. Supporters of daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in classrooms claim that the rote and compulsory aspects of the Pledge are in fact beneficial. They see the rote recitation of the PledgeShow MoreRelatedIs The Pledge Of Allegiance? Essay2119 Words   |  9 Pages â€Å" I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.† This, quite clearly, is the Pledge of Allegiance. Although composed in 1892, congress adopted this as the pledge in 1942, ironically leading the people of America to say this for around 74 years now. Looking back at history and currently in 2016, it is obvious that there is not liberty and justice for all. ThroughoutRead MoreLearning The Pledge Of Allegiance985 Words   |  4 PagesBefore I learned to count, I was taught to put my right hand over my heart and pledge my allegiance; to promise to stand by a nation that has â€Å"liberty and justice for all†. Learning the pledge of allegiance in kindergarten was my first real exposure to hypocrisy. The US claims to provide a level field for everyone, but dispels any real movement towards it. If there truly was liberty and justice for all there wouldn’t be discrimination, racism, or intolerance. Instead though, everywhere you turnRead MoreThe Pledge Of Allegiance Of The United States1152 Words   |  5 PagesThe Pledge of Allegiance of the United States can be analyzed from two general perspectives: that of the speaker and that of the author. The first perspective is more familiar, especially to those who went through the American public education system. This is the perspective of the physical speaker, who delivers the pledge to the United States Flag, which is the audience. Typically, this speaker is a child in a school but it could also be a government official in a government meeting, among otherRead MoreGraduation Speech : The Pledge Of Allegiance1715 Words   |  7 PagesChildren have been reciting The Pledge of Allegiance for over sixty years. It was common practice to recite The Pledge of Allegiance every morning in the classroom while standing and raising your right hand to your heart. Now, Americans are questioning the reasoning and purpose behind reciting The Pledge, especially since students are being asked to mention God each time they recite it. This paper will focus on school-ag ed children. Because of the lack of patriotism in Atheists and the infringementRead More Terrorism, Patriotism and the Farce of the Pledge of Allegiance1179 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Farce of the Pledge of Allegiance nbsp; It is unfortunate that the terrorists did not attack and destroy the Pledge of Allegiance instead of the World Trade Center.nbsp; But politicians and zealots have perverted patriotism to include a blind veneration of the United States based on an oversimplified conception that disregards current laws and social customs, a perversion evident in the idolatry performed regularly by most American citizens during the Pledge of Allegiance. nbsp; WhenRead MoreThe Pledge of Allegiance in the Public School System1800 Words   |  8 PagesThe Pledge of Allegiance in the Public School System The Pledge of Allegiance has become a major issue for students, teachers, parents and lawmakers. The original intention of the pledge was not to stir up trouble, but for a celebration of Christopher Columbus discovery of the new world. The pledge is no longer thought of as a celebration, but an infringement on childrens religious beliefs. Do you believe that childrens rights are being infringed on? Some people believe that the pledge is a greatRead MoreThe Debate Over God in the Pledge of Allegiance1874 Words   |  8 PagesI pledge allegiance, to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation, under Congress, the Supreme Court, the Declaration of Independence, our founding fathers, and the President, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892 (Baer). He did this in the memory of the 400th anniversary of Columbus discovering America (The Pledge). In 1954, Congress added the words, under God to the pledge;Read MoreEssay on The Pledge of Allegiance and the American Constitution614 Words   |  3 PagesThe Pledge of Allegiance and the American Constitution If you think about it, you have probably been saying the Pledge of Allegiance everyday since first grade. When you initially learnt it, you didn’t even know what it meant and by the time you did understand it, you said it by pure rote. No one questioned it, but why should they? It doesn’t take much energy to stand up and recite a short verse everyday. However do you say these significant words with any sincerity? But stop and think forRead MoreThe Reflection Of Francis Bellamys Pledge Of Allegiance1092 Words   |  5 PagesIn the early year of 1893, Francis Bellamy beautifully crafted a pledge that will be twisted over years of alteration, creating a constrained symbol of national bond submersed in religious controversy. The original text of Francis Bellamy’s Pledge of Allegiance was recited with a salute as, â€Å"I pledge allegiance to my flag and the Republic for which it stands-one nation, indivisible-with liberty and justice for all.† Reading this t ext, one may notice a lack of a well known excerpt; â€Å"under God.† PeopleRead More God Should Remain in the Pledge of Allegiance Essay1145 Words   |  5 PagesGod Should Remain in the Pledge of Allegiance One of the most controversial issues, if â€Å"Under God† should remain in the pledge, and if children should be required to say it, went to court a few weeks ago. The argument was brought to court by Michael Newdow, the father to the girl on whose behalf the lawsuit was brought forward. Newdow argued in court and on many different public speaking occasions that knowing his child is being led to say â€Å"One nation under God† on a daily basis makes him feel