by Barbara Griffin

Created on: May 20, 2009   Last Updated: May 25, 2009

The year is 1969, a young teen experiencing the fallout of racial indifference, learning about slavery, witnessing injustice against the likeness of her skin and pretty much showing little interest in the history of a country where patriotism grants you no equality. I found pledging my allegiance, the only thing that was in my power to a piece of cloth, no matter how important the significance of it's meaning, wasn't going to happen as I would have stated it in those days.

This perspective came from a young mind in need of learning the specifics of why I should feel loyalty to a cause that clearly wasn't intended for all the people, The Pledge of Allegiance was and I suppose still remains a requirement not a choice. To phrase it in other words we were to go with the flow, not make waves just do as you're told, don't make trouble. How could our right to comprehend the necessity of participating in a mock acceptance speech while lacking full knowledge of what we were stating.

I remember the look on some of my friends faces and those close around me when I stood there with angry eyes piercing at a red, white and blue colored rectangle with stars separated in a square. I knew when the flag was made to honor this country, it wasn't representative of those who remained shackled and chained through bondage. Those less acceptable were later given a minimum graph into the celebrated freedom enjoyed by the greater number.

Throughout my life I have fought with the pros and cons of the Pledge of Allegiance, for those who the flag's waving colors of freedom and democracy were intended, it's a nice gesture and should be honored only if truly felt in their hearts not due to the fear of retribution or being labeled a traitor. Even for those whom the flag was made controversy arose, because their freedom of expression became suspect if it didn't cater to this new invention meant to unify the country. Should a pledge define our loyalty?

What was true then is still true today accept for one defining cause, being politically correct. Now every voice can bellow to the world what it thinks and how it feels. These voices are heard and taken into consideration even to the point of interferingly down playing the highest honor we can ever give allegiance to...God. This aspect further gives rise to my confusion as to why I was told to verbally admit with hand over my heart a pledge to a representative piece of cloth made my man, and in present times it's encouraged to some degree

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>