New Thoughts on the Pledge of Allegiance

Francis Bellamy penned this short pledge while working for Youth?s Companion which was a periodical for young readers. The Companion was promoting a big Columbus Day celebration to piggy back onto the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. After two long hours in his office, he emerged with this draft of twenty-two words. ?I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.?

The Pledge of Allegiance, is probably the best known ritual in the English language. It is recited in meetings of service clubs, PTA schools, and governmental sessions at all levels. We vividly remember its words spoken solemnly on the National Capitol steps by the members of Congress right after the 9/11 attacks. Our newest citizens recite the words ?I pledge allegiance? in halting English, but with utmost pride.

The beloved words of The Pledge have occasionally roiled in controversy. In 1954, Congress voted to add the words ?under God.? This added a prayer-like quality to the ritual which, in turn, created a chasm between the religious and secular of our society and has caused the constitutionality of The Pledge to have been questioned three times by the Supreme Court as recently as 2004.

Events prior to Bellamy?s writing of The Pledge eerily resemble a cycle in our recent past. The Civil War was still an open wound. Industrialization created a chasm between the richest and the poorest. An increasing number of immigrants flooded here from Europe. Many fears abounded that regardless what group was allowed in that they would change ?us? to be like ?them? rather than ?them? becoming like ?us.?

Does this ring a familiar bell? Remember back to the wars in Vietnam, Iraq, not to mention the current conflict in Afghanistan. Consider the controversies about the rich giving their fair share and, of course, our illegal aliens and immigration.

Another compelling force emerging in the 1890?s paralleling with today was the emergence of patriotic organizations and individual public displays of patriotism. DAR and SAR emerged during this period. Today we have the Tea Party, Americans for Prosperity, and Freedom Works that have mobilized a grassroots patriotic movement.

Whether one agrees or disagrees with the course The Pledge has had on our history and nation; one has to marvel at the phenomenon it has produced. The Pledge has survived because it was clear, concise and seemingly simple which showcased Bellamy?s writing skill.

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Source: http://toddsblogs.com/referenceandeducation/2012/07/14/new-thoughts-on-the-pledge-of-allegiance/

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