Though it is taught at a very young age with the premise of inspiring patriotic feeling and held in high esteem due to it’s historical significance, the Pledge of Allegiance is surrounded by controversy. The Pledge of Allegiance should not be enforced in schools due to it being a clear violation of the First and Fourth Amendments, its conflict with other people’s beliefs, and it’s blatantly false promise of equality.

We live in a world where expression and freedom of thought is, thankfully, somewhat allowed and even encouraged. Why then should we, as a free country, be forced to say a Pledge that most haven’t even bothered to analyze? Can we truly believe that the children currently attending elementary school understand what they say when they repeat after their teacher? Is their level of comprehension high enough to be able to feel and understand what loyalty to one’s country is? Certainly not, and it doesn’t stop there. While it is understandable why our country enforces the Pledge early on, it is not understandable why it is continued into high school and even into college. If a child attending high school makes the conscious decision not to stand up for the Pledge, then he should be allowed to do so and exercise his rights. We live in a world where a teacher reprimanded her student for being “un-American” and “un-patriotic” because he did not recite the Pledge of Allegiance. (Jacksonville News, Sports and Entertainment) A Judge ruled the case unconstitutional and stated that it was a violation of his first and fourth amendment rights. Americans must stop narrowing their brains to the point where they perceive the pledge as the only means of which one can express their patriotism. It is ridiculous to judge one’s loyalty solely on what he says or doesn’t say. It is what you do that counts.

A much more pressing issue about the Pledge of Allegiance is it’s wording which turns out to be mostly false. While the Pledge of Allegiance speaks of “liberty” and “justice for all”, there are thousands of African American people, Hispanic people, and other minorities that are getting harassed every single day of their lives. (Rose Russell) Where is their liberty? Did the Pledge of Allegiance apply to Trayvon Martin or did it only apply to George Zimmerman? It would be blatant disrespect to the people of America that are so often excluded and denied their basic rights to recite the Pledge as if its words deem true. Those words are not true, they are not inclusive, and until they are, schools should not be forced to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

While there is more evidence in the favor of going against the Pledge of Allegiance, there are also some things one must consider before making their final opinion. (Dave Bohon) Firstly, the roots. The beginnings of the Pledge of Allegiance were genuinely created to inspire patriotism and pride within all Americans. However, during the 1950’s, former President Eisenhower added “under god” to it’s wording. It was not intentional for the Pledge to be religious. Rather, it was created to inspire patriotism. What many do is simply ignore the “God” part and repeat the rest of the pledge. In this why, you would be following your personally held beliefs while still showing loyalty for your country. Also, to ban the pledge from schools isn’t fair to those who do repeat the Pledge, and to cite the reasoning as being oppressive to your beliefs is ridiculous. It is understandable to not want to say the pledge, but to ban it altogether is unfair and has absolutely no grounds. Same applies vice versa. The pledge does not require for anyone to go against their beliefs. At the end of the day, the pledge is a means of bringing us together, not as a means of dividing us into groups of “For Pledge” and “Against Pledge.” (Teach-nology)

All in all, the Pledge of Allegiance has no place in schools. While it was originally created to inspire patriotism, it is not the best way to go about it. While it does hold historical value, it in no way represents today’s society, or even our beginning society. There are still thousands of people underrepresented that are supposedly just as equal as any American under the Pledge. Not only that, but our youth are being forced to repeat something they don’t even understand. Patriotism can be taught in other ways that do not require lying on both the part of the government and the pupil. It is ridiculous to assume that repeating a pledge will instill values and morals because it won’t, it only helps us to memorize it. Until the Pledge of Allegiance becomes truthful in it’s meaning and symbolism, it should be kept out of schools and kept out of our daily routine.