“Good morning, Issaquah. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.”
A phrase heard 180 times a year, consistently spoken over the intercom. Every school day of one’s academic career, students hear this phrase, echoing the millions of voices before them since the Pledge’s founding in 1892. To some, the Pledge is simply a routine set of 31 words, but to others, it symbolizes sacrifice and respect for a country that has given them so much. In this sense, the significance of the Pledge varies from person to person as does its meaning. This disparity in the definition of the Pledge of Allegiance is only exacerbated by its past.
It is important to note that the Pledge may be a significant symbol in one’s life. Whether it be a military or personal connection, the Pledge is a remembrance and assurance of love as well as respect for the United States of America. It has brought peace and structure into people’s lives and given them a chance for freedom and opportunity. Thus, because of its significance, according to US History, “Section 4 of the Flag Code states: The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag […] should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.” By honoring and respecting the Pledge, senior Kayla Yang states that we show “our support to our country. Our loyalty.”
Despite its reverence, the Pledge of Allegiance has become less popular, and feelings about its daily recital turn towards more indifference than patriotism. Sophomore Abigail Ahn says, “I find it a bit repetitive. We do it every day, and it feels like a tradition more than something that deeply connects us.” This repetition has made many become bored of the Pledge and altogether stop standing for it. Freshman Thomas Ryan says, “Yeah, some don’t [stand]. Maybe they just don’t feel like it or have different beliefs.” Peer pressure is also a cause for not standing for the Pledge. In many classes, most students do not stand for the Pledge, causing those who choose to stand to feel isolated and, ultimately, no longer participate.
There has been major controversy regarding the requirement to stand and recite the Pledge. Not all states have the same law. For example, according to The Hill, in Massachusetts, “Failure for a period of two consecutive weeks by a teacher to salute the flag and recite said pledge as aforesaid, or to cause the pupils under his charge so to do, shall be punished for every such period by a fine of not more than five dollars.” Contrastingly, other states make it mandatory to recite the Pledge with the possibility of exemptions like the state of Washington: according to The Hill, “In the state of Washington, ‘students not reciting the pledge shall maintain a respectful silence,’ according to state law.” Smithsonian Magazine says, “Yet the pledge continues to have its critics, with some pointing out the irony of requiring citizens to swear fealty to a nation that prizes freedom of thought and speech.”
Another controversial aspect of the Pledge of Allegiance is its word choice, specifically the phrase “under God.” This two-word phrase has brought about many debates over its appropriateness, especially considering a nation built on one of its founding principles, the freedom of religion. The history of the “under God” portion of the Pledge is actually quite recent. According to History, “On June 14, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill to insert the phrase ‘under God’ into the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance that children recited every morning in school. Previously, the pledge—originally written in 1892—had contained no reference to religion.” With its origin coming from the Cold War, the “under God” phrase was meant to be used to fight against the atheist communists that “threatened” America’s democracy. Now in modern times, critics argue that the phrase is unjustly ignoring the religious beliefs of the culturally diverse people living in America. History also states that “the addition of ‘under God’ to the pledge led to new lawsuits about whether it violated the rights of students and teachers. In the 1950s and ‘60s, the prominent atheist Joseph L. Lewis filed lawsuits against the state of New York over the pledge. Over the next several decades, similar cases were filed in different states, with the most prominent cases reaching federal courts and even the U.S. Supreme Court in the 21st century.” Junior Benjamin Rao says that the phrase “under God” “reflects our national values, but others argue it should be more neutral.”
The Pledge of Allegiance is a reaffirmation of our loyalty to the American flag as American citizens, but its controversies question its role in a free speech society. As Yang states, “You don’t need to verbally pledge your allegiance to your country. It comes from your actions.” Whatever the future may perceive of the Pledge, it is important to understand its history and true meaning as a further reminder of America’s greatest and darkest moments: the sacrifice of millions for the flag as well as the millions sacrificed because of the flag. This knowledge promotes healing and fosters growth, defining America’s goal throughout history that unites all Americans: progress.
