by Niveda A., Milpitas
When I was in sixth grade, I was an incredibly nationalistic young person. I used to think that the United States was a flawless nation, including a perfect legal system, government, and society. Also when I was in sixth grade, every student was required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day. However, one day, I decided that I wouldn’t. All of my classmates were shocked, thinking that I would be happy to recite the pledge since I was a nationalist. When they asked me why I wasn’t saying anything, I responded something along the lines of “I’m using my American right to free speech.” Although some of my thought processes were interesting, to put it mildly, I still stand by that small statement that I made over two years ago. There are few things that are less American than requiring students to give up their right to free speech.
First of all, requiring students to say the pledge is against some of the foundational ideas of American existence. Ironically, forcing people to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to show their solidarity with the United States opposes the country’s ideals because the practice violates the First Amendment, which protects freedom of expression among other rights. This is especially because of one specific phrase in the pledge, which goes, “to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God.” Requiring anybody to say these words in particular also contradicts freedom of religion because it discriminates against people who aren’t monotheistic. Freedom of religion is another right protected by the First Amendment, rendering the practice unconstitutional. Also, the phrase “under God” was specifically added in the 1950s during the Red Scare to combat the perceived threat of communism by providing a clear and direct opposition to the Soviet Union’s perceived “ungodliness.” Linking any political belief to religion is, at best, an act that opposes the secular nature of the American government. At worst, this paranoia could cause ultranationalist and fascist ideologies to spread, leading to a new generation of young people supporting the oppression of ideas that combat their own.
Requiring students to recite the pledge is not a good idea because many individuals and groups have questioned its legality. This practice was ruled to be constitutional in 1940, before the decision was reversed in 1943. After all of these controversies, the courts have decided to allow schools to lead the pledge, though they can’t impose it on students. This means that students have the choice to show their allegiance to their country in any way that they choose, be it with or without the pledge. As a result, students being allowed to opt out of the pledge shouldn’t be an issue for anybody since it doesn’t affect students who do wish to recite it.
Some people who argue that schools should require students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance are aware that this policy has been legally challenged, but they believe that it should be fully legalized. This is because they believe that this practice will promote patriotism in young minds, which could help advance the country. However, the children that are reciting the same words every day for twelve years are very impressionable, especially when they first enter the education system. Consequently, repeating the pledge that many times from such a young age could form an imprint on their minds, leading them to believe every word of the pledge and to be hostile to others who don’t share the same belief. For example, a generation of people who firmly believe in the phrase “under God” to the point at which they think that America is an inherently monotheistic nation and are intolerant to others who don’t share that belief would be a disaster for the unity of the American people. An example of this occurrence in history is the Crusades, during which Christians and Muslims engaged in violent warfare over holy lands, including Jerusalem. Many Jewish people also died as a result of being caught in the crossfire of these two factions. These wars were fought mainly because each group thought that their beliefs were superior and that they were the ones who deserved to lay claim over the holy lands. Because of each party’s sense of religious superiority, violence was used instead of negotiation. On a national scale, this close-minded thinking will hamper the country’s progress, not boost it. Instead of putting aside their differences and working with others to better the country and world, people will become more focused on rivalries over belief systems.
Although the issue of the Pledge of Allegiance may seem miniscule compared to other problems in American society, it’s more than just a few words. The action of forcing a group of people to recite a patriotic pledge that they don’t believe in signifies an un-American system in which submission takes precedence over freedom. Not only is this action anti-American, it can also be harmful to the development of a student’s critical thinking skills and individuality. Being forced to conform despite their own qualms could also lead to a lower self-esteem or empathy because students may feel like the emotions and feelings of themselves or others are secondary to what authority dictates. Critically analyzing issues in our society is crucial to ensure that we leave a better country for the next generation.