It was a typical Tuesday morning. I dashed into my math class as the first hour bell rang, nearly late as per usual. I grabbed a warm-up sheet and sat at my seat, where on cue the Pledge of Allegiance began on the loudspeakers. Our class maintained a semi-quiet atmosphere with a bit of chatter, none of us taking the Pledge as seriously as we did when we were young. My body tensed as I listened to the words, and I felt an immediate reaction of defiance. I shook off the feeling as I did my work, focusing on the half-finished problem instead of the looming phrases. Eventually, my math teacher looked across the room with the intention of starting class, but instead of beginning our work, asked, “Does anyone know why we do the Pledge of Allegiance?”

I looked up from my work, but had nothing to say. Our class pondered the idea, some suspecting that perhaps it was some sort of state requirement, or a sign of respect for veterans. I had never thought to question this routine, which had been instilled in us since our earliest elementary school days. Obviously, the Pledge was created with the intention of unifying our nation. However, I had never felt that sense of belonging, and recently I’ve begun to notice the discomfort that the divisive language in The Pledge of Allegiance makes me feel.

I truthfully don’t mind most of the Pledge, and consider a majority of the verses to be harmless. For example, the idea of an indivisible country provides some hope during a time of the worst political polarization our nation has ever experienced. 

On the other hand, the idea that we are pledging ourselves to “One Nation Under God” has always felt wrong to me. This line, clearly created with Christian influence, disregards other religious beliefs and has always felt like a jab towards my identity. As a Hindu, I not only feel like I don’t belong to the America this verse is painting, but also that my personal beliefs are valued less than others. Even though Christianity is the majority religion in the US, we’ve come a long way in regards to the importance of inclusion. Keeping that in mind, I feel like this verse does so much more harm than good. Sure, it represents a portion of America, but what about the portion it doesn’t represent? Why does their God get to be represented, but mine doesn’t? Why should I have to pledge myself to that God? Each person has the right to feel represented by the Pledge, and it’s frustrating that that hasn’t been the case for over half a century. 

I find it ironic that this part of the pledge was added during the Red Scare to promote nationalism and American superiority over the communist ideals the government was trying to eradicate at the time; meaning it was created to divide us. Implemented under Eisenhower in the 1950s, the administration made this addition to make a clear difference between who is and isn’t a “real” American. This leaves out millions of Americans who don’t believe in the same God, implying that they do not fit into the American role that this Pledge is creating.

I also feel the Pledge of Allegiance is an inaccurate representation of the America we have today. The last line, stating that we are a nation with “Liberty and Justice for All” fails to represent the reality many people face. When the Pledge was originally written by Francis Bellamy, it was created with the purpose of serving as a reminder that each and every person has the right to belong on our nation’s soil. 

However, the way our government is currently functioning does not embody these ideals. This includes the Trump Administration’s efforts to end birthright citizenship, which would block millions of American citizens from being able to exert their rights. This is their way of deciding who they deem to be a “real” American (just like Eisenhower did) based on their own fabricated standards that keep the administration in power. This whole idea of allowing them to determine who is worthy of this title completely goes against everything the Pledge stands for, which describes the role of being an American as someone who offers respect and appreciation to the country it represents. Nothing in the Pledge describes that one’s familial origins should impact that role. 

In addition, this section of the Pledge misrepresents how we are currently treating the hardworking members of our society. Current policies and agencies have had a detrimental impact on our country, especially on the immigrant community. Immigrants and people of color are being targeted and profiled. They are dehumanized in the media, forced to fear for their futures and lives, and taken and searched by men in masks who refuse to adhere to basic rights and protocols. Earlier this month, a day care teacher from Chicago was unlawfully detained by ICE in front of all her students. She has applied for asylum status; she has a work permit, yet they still forced her out of her classroom. She shouldn’t have had to experience that, and she didn’t deserve this inhumane treatment; it went against her rights. Where is the justice that our pledge so clearly describes? Where is the liberty against this governmental oppression? When do we realize they continue to turn us against each other to divide this “indivisible” nation? Considering this, I think it’s quite clear that our Pledge does not represent the current path our nation is taking. 

The Pledge of Allegiance is meant to make people feel seen, valued, and give them a sense of belonging to a movement bigger than themselves; unity within our country. Instead, the Pledge makes people feel dissonance and fear. Personally, I don’t feel represented by the Pledge, and wish it were more inclusive to represent me and the masses of people that are left out of this customary practice. A few of these phrases should be changed to better embody the diverse nation we live in and what we want it to become. 

We shouldn’t have to feel like an exception to the standard the Pledge implies. However, I do think parts of the Pledge carry an important message that our government is currently disregarding. Our country was built to protect all those who inhabit it. We are not meant to invalidate others because of our differences, but instead respect one another for our different perspectives. It is not a privilege to belong here; it’s a basic right.