Who Do You Pledge Yourself To?
By March Twisdale
As long as I can remember, I’ve seen all Americans as my “fellows,” and we are not the same. We root for different sports teams, worship differently, speak different languages, and hold endlessly diverse viewpoints. However, as Americans we all have one shared trait. Our nationality.
Our cup, as citizens of the same nation, is filled to the brim with all that has occurred in the history of our United States. The good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly, the adventuresome, the shocking, the electrifying, the horrifying, the easy, the challenging, the struggles, pains, successes, and epic inventions!
From the moment our lineage enters into the country, whatever comes to pass next becomes our shared inheritance. In a very real way, we become family. By blood, by marriage, or by national kinship, we Americans are inextricably interconnected. How do I know this? The Pledge of Allegiance tells me so!
“I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America … “
If you are younger than 40, you may have no memory of this. Let me paint you a picture. Imagine arriving at school, by bike, on foot, or pouring out of a bus. Kids mill about, the landscape is dotted by adults here and there, until the school bell rings, everyone lines up in front of their classroom, and then the doors open and the day officially begins. The classroom is loud and a bit chaotic as kids hang up coats, toss lunches into cubbies, and jostle about, getting to their seats.
Then, the hubbub quiets down, in your classroom, the hallways, and adjoining classrooms. A signal goes out; a buzzer, maybe? Or, simply the clock ticking to a particular predetermined time, and everyone quiets. All adults, teachers, administrators, janitors, and even the principal, rise together, turning to American Flags prominently displayed in every corner of the sprawling campus. Students follow in kind, rising from their seats, standing respectfully at attention, as hundreds of hands are raised to hearts, eyes are lifted, and voices rise in a pledge of commitment to our nation’s central themes and promises.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America … “
“And to the Republic for which it stands … “
Thanks to this perfectly worded vow of national identity, our hearts beat as one, for those few moments each day, creating a great sense of community and togetherness. For those of us born awhile ago, or raised today in private schools that still do this, this morning ritual serves as a renewal of a vow we are privileged, blessed, and rightfully obligated to honor, as American citizens.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America … “
“And to the Republic for which it stands … “
“One nation, under God … “
The “under God” part was added in 1954 by Congress and with President Eisenhower’s approval, in order to specifically identify America’s belief in God, in opposition to the Soviet Union’s atheistic/materialistic ideology.
God is perceived differently, especially in a melting-pot nation like ours. Therefore, this line is clearly intended as a “social glue” holding us together. It is invitational to American children, including all family faith backgrounds.
“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 … “
Just imagine, as a child, reciting a promise, a vow, and a poem, in the form of a national pledge. No matter how many other differences we may discover, this “first thing we do together every morning” ritual affirms our commitment to work together, toward compromise, solutions, and toward a more perfect union … because, should we splinter and turn upon one another, all will be lost.
“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.”
Children grow up, learning the language of their people. For many decades, all American children learned to recite this pledge before they knew big words. It was through this pledge that most American children were introduced to the words: pledge, allegiance, republic, indivisible, liberty, and justice.
The meaning of these words came to life in our minds and hearts, within the context of our national identity. Our American citizen-status. Our country of birth or the country that willingly extended an invitation and embraced us through legal immigration.
It was the spirit that united us.
