One morning this January, Yulia Wardani stepped into a small office in downtown Newark to change her identity. She had recently immigrated to the United States, leaving her homeland behind to start a new life in a country she believed held endless opportunities. As part of her journey towards citizenship, Yulia was required to take an oath of allegiance to the United States, a solemn promise to support and defend the values and principles of her adopted nation.
For most of us, it's just rote — saying the Pledge of Allegiance at a meeting, gathering, or other event. Like Asheville City Council members at the beginning of their sessions, we stand, place our hand over our heart, and recite the familiar words: "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."
But what do we truly show loyalty to when we utter these words? Is it the flag, a symbol of our country's unity and history? Is it the government, representing the democratic principles upon which our nation was founded? Or is it something deeper, a commitment to the values and ideals that define us as Americans?
Most democracies don't require constant performance of a loyalty pledge to a national flag. In many countries, such displays of patriotism are reserved for special occasions or ceremonies, not a daily ritual. However, in the United States, the Pledge of Allegiance has become a ubiquitous part of our culture, ingrained in our schools, government meetings, and public events.
Di withdrawal come as Nigerians for social media bin para about di bill wey di speaker bin say di intention na to address subversive... the proposed law to require all students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance has received backing from Arizona Republican state lawmakers. The debate over mandatory recitation of the pledge in schools has sparked controversy, with some arguing that it infringes on students' freedom of speech and others claiming it is a necessary expression of patriotism.
Each week, The Spokesman-Review examines one question from the Naturalization Test immigrants must pass to become United States citizens. This week's question is: "What is the Pledge of Allegiance?" For Yulia and millions of others seeking to become citizens, understanding the meaning and significance of the pledge is essential to embracing their new identity as Americans.
In August and early September, millions of U.S. children return to school. For most, their mornings begin with them standing, hand over heart, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The ritual is a reminder of the values and principles that bind us together as a nation, a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to liberty and justice for all.
"I believe that the Pledge of Allegiance should be mandatory in schools. The Pledge of Allegiance stands for the freedom that our country has..." Pledge your alliance or else: (A response to a column titled “To Pledge or Not to Pledge?”) “Patriotism is not a contest or a meter." The debate over the pledge reflects deeper questions about the nature of loyalty, patriotism, and citizenship in a diverse and complex society.
In the end, the Pledge of Allegiance is more than just words. It is a symbol of our shared identity as Americans, a reminder of the values and principles that unite us as a nation. Whether we recite it out of habit or with heartfelt conviction, the pledge serves as a powerful expression of our commitment to the ideals upon which our country was founded. As we stand together, hand over heart, let us remember the true meaning of those familiar words: liberty and justice for all.
