One nation under Canada, above
Mexico
By Kristen Hoverman
The Collegian
The Pledge of Allegiance celebrates
national unity, wholeness and freedom.
It is recited daily in remembrance of the events that unified and strengthened
our nation.
Today this historical declaration of appreciation for our nation is the
target of debate and offense.
From the moment children enter school they are taught the pledge and recite
it daily until the time they graduate from high school.
When I was a little girl reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in class, I
never really paid much attention to the words “under God.”
They seemed naturally ingrained in the pledge as a reminder of our nation’s
history stated in the Declaration of Independence and President Abraham
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
In school I learned “under God” was added to the pledge in
1954 to distinguish the United States from the communist Soviet Union,
and to remove the appearance of flag and nation worship.
I always felt it was just a symbol of appreciation for the many opportunities
available to U.S. citizens.
Either way, these words have
remained in the pledge for over 50 years and are controversial for many
Americans.
Americans have freedoms and abilities that are far greater than what many
other countries in the world have. For a nation that has so much, it is
difficult to think that U.S. citizens take their freedoms and abilities
for granted.
On September 14, 2005, a federal judge in Sacramento ruled it was unconstitutional
to require public school children to recite the words “under God”
in the pledge.
“What’s the point of changing it?” said Jamie Darling,
a liberal studies major. “Our country was founded upon Christianity.
“Why do people get so offended? It’s a part of history. I
don’t think it should be changed.”
Today “under God” is optional in the pledge.
“I think that it’s offensive to some people,” said Beth
Barrow, a liberal studies major. “We should make it fair and equal
to everyone.
“But if we take that one thing out we’re going to have to
take “in God we trust” off of our pennies, nickels, dimes
and quarters.”
The pledge is an expression of national identity and patriotism. However,
maybe Robin Williams was right when he said, “One nation under God”
should be changed to “One nation under Canada, above Mexico.”
In this modern age where people of all ages, race, sex and religion live
in one country that gives so many freedoms unavailable in other parts
of the world, whether or not “under God” is removed from the
pledge, U.S. citizens are blessed.
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