The Pledge of Allegiance
By: Jennifer Caggiano
College Now Course - BSS 1
In San Francisco, a federal judge ruled that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in
public schools is unconstitutional. It was ruled unconstitutional because of the phrase
"under God". I disagree with the judge's ruling on this case. To me the Pledge of
Allegiance is constitutional and should be recited in public schools.
A pledge is simply a promise to something. The Pledge of Allegiance is simply a promise
to this nation. The phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is being taken
too literally. People are considering that we are only pledging to one God, but in
the United States of America we are promised freedom of religion. Therefore, when
the Pledge of Allegiance is recited, the words "under God" should have more than just
one meaning. Not to just one God in particular but to any God that a person believes
in. Whether it is Jesus Christ or any other God believed in all around the world.
When people come to this nation yes, they are promised freedoms and opportunities,
but just like every other nation this nation should be shown some respect. This country
gives people so much. The least we could do is say the Pledge of Allegiance in honor
of all the great resources that this country gives to us. In so many other countries
people do not have these opportunities, so they come here for a new start. They use
all that America can give them, but when it comes to saying a simple pledge in school
it's not okay.
These people along with there children come here from other countries to start a new
life. Then their children sit in our classrooms and disagree with saying The Pledge
of Allegiance, and we rule it unconstitutional. When it was people who originally
came from other countries that wrote the Pledge of Allegiance. In my opinion, people
come here and use this country and don't appreciate it. If they have a problem reciting
the Pledge of Allegiance, they should just simply not recite it while they are in
class.
People have to realize that the Pledge of Allegiance is a pledge to this country,
and that they live here so they should, at least, have enough respect for this country
and recite it. We may be a country of freedom but we are also a country that has morals.
People do come here from all around the world, and in some ways they should get accustomed
to living as an American citizen. WE should not have to change everything that someone
doesn't like because then we will forget what it means to be an American. This is
why the Pledge of Allegiance should be recited in public schools.
