God • Family • Country
The Pledge is to the United States, but, furthermore, it is “to the Republic for which it stands.”
Every day at my high school, the morning announcements come over the intercom. The announcer asks everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, yet most students remain seated, looking at their devices or talking to one another. I always stand, hand over my heart, and recite its words. Ever since I was a preschooler, I’ve recited the Pledge each morning. But how have fifteen seconds of patriotism become so easy to ignore?
The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by a Baptist minister named Francis Bellamy to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. In 1942, Congress officially recognized it as the national pledge. Yet it wasn’t until 1954 that the words “under God” were included in the official Pledge, following efforts by religious groups and with the support of President Eisenhower, who wanted to distinguish the United States from “godless communism” during the Cold War.
If you asked the average student, they’d probably tell you they have never stopped to consider the words of the Pledge of Allegiance. Even patriotic students tend to recite it automatically. The Pledge is to the United States, but, furthermore, it is “to the Republic for which it stands.” The word “Republic” represents our founding principles and the right of the people to elect their representatives, a radical idea when our country was founded.
The Pledge describes America as “one nation under God, indivisible.” This reflects our Judeo-Christian heritage and the influence of John Locke’s argument for natural rights: that all human beings are inherently entitled to rights such as “life, liberty, and property.” His ideas were echoed by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The word “indivisible” reminds us that despite our religious and political differences, we remain united.
Finally, the Pledge concludes: “with liberty and justice for all.” America was founded on the principles of freedom and equality under the law. Today, we remain among the freest countries in the world. Our generation has a responsibility to ensure these freedoms endure.
Today, many people view patriotism as unimportant. There is a growing sentiment of hostility toward America among young people. Even some politicians have advocated for removing the Pledge from schools. Participation in the Pledge is never required; the very word “liberty” protects the right of individuals to refrain from participating. But to revive pride in our history and founding principles, we must also revive an understanding of the Pledge’s significance. In the midst of another divisive election season, we must remember that regardless of the results, we remain “one nation under God, indivisible.” The Pledge unites us through our shared American identity, transcending partisan politics.
When I return to school, some students will remain seated—and that is their right—but I’ll continue standing proudly. I will happily take fifteen seconds out of my day to recite the 31 words that remind me of what unites us as Americans.