Analyzing Words

Analyzing the Pledge of Allegiance

CyberEnglish 9

Hogue/2002

In Speak, Melinda chooses not to speak because she has something terrible that she cannot say. The issue of free speech is brought out in Mr. Neck’s class when he refuses to listen to points of view that conflict with his own, even though he opened a debate, which is intended to be a discussion of varying ideas supported with evidence.

In 2001, the Wisconsin state legislature decided that it was desirable to have all Wisconsin public school students say the pledge of allegiance each day in school. And yet, according to the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the government cannot abridge (shorten or put limits on) a citizen’s right to speak freely. So while our school offers us the opportunity each day to say the pledge, each student has the right to decide if he or she will say it.

Speaking freely means to say what we believe and does not, as some have interpreted it to mean, give us the right to say whatever we want whenever we want. Some types of speech are not protected under the constitution. For example, hate speech and speech that incites violence or riots are not protected.

Also, it is important that we don’t take this freedom lightly. In many countries around the world, citizens are beaten, jailed, or even killed for speaking against the government or for saying something the government doesn’t agree with.

Making a choice is something we should do consciously. We should know why we say or don’t say the pledge of allegiance. But first we should understand exactly what we are saying.

To begin, let’s read a FOX news story about the history of how the pledge came to us in its present form.

2. Why did he leave out the word “equality” in his version even though he had wanted to include it?

4. Why did “my flag” change to “the Flag of the United States of America” in 1924?

Next, let’s look at the words in the Pledge of Allegiance and see what they mean: Define each underlined word. We will do this together.

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.

Now, as the FOX article mentioned, many groups use the format of the pledge but change it to represent their own particular views.

Here is one example that some environmentalist groups use (thanks to Jeri Pollock):

I pledge allegiance to the Earth and all the life which it supports, one planet in our care, irreplaceable, with sustenance and respect for all.

Think of Melinda and her fear of saying what she knows is true. What pledges might she make? What things might she promise to be true to?

1. Promise to be true to _______________________________________________; why _____________________________________________________________________

2. Promise to be true to _______________________________________________; why _____________________________________________________________________

3. Promise to be true to _______________________________________________; why _____________________________________________________________________

Choose one other character from the novel. What pledges might he/she make? Who is your character? ________________________

1. Promise to be true to _______________________________________________; why _____________________________________________________________________

2. Promise to be true to _______________________________________________; why _____________________________________________________________________

3. Promise to be true to _______________________________________________; why _____________________________________________________________________

As we think about what it means to pledge allegiance to something that we believe in, write your own pledge to something that is important to you. Following the example of an alternative pledge shown above and of course the regular pledge, write one of your own that is your promise to be true to something you believe in. Follow the same format, just change the words to fit the new pledge you are writing. As you choose your words, think of what they mean and how they affect the interpretation of your entire new pledge.

If you’re having trouble getting started, here is a list of things that you could use if you want. Otherwise, have fun with your own idea.

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Next, write a paragraph that reflects on this activity. Choose one of the ideas below or develop one of your own ideas.

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· Think of other books, movies, songs, or other media that you remember having to do with free speech. What was the idea presented? How was it important? How has your perception of that book (etc.) changed now that you’ve reflected on free speech more specifically?

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