Pledge Of Allegiance Analysis

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Echoes of Inequality: Liberty and Justice in American History I do not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. This is a right, shown by the West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette decision that students have the right to refuse to stand and say the Pledge of Allegiance ("West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette"). This 1943 case remains relevant to students today, who do not stand for one reason: they will not pledge themselves to a flag and a country that claims liberty and justice for all but fails to come through. It is clear that America has not achieved and does not achieve its promises of freedom for all, as demonstrated by numerous historical continuities. Due to the countless laws and role changes throughout America's …show more content…

For instance, women were not afforded the right to vote until 1920 with the 19th Amendment – over 150 years since the creation of the United States ("19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution"). The women’s rights movement began with the country’s inception, but suppressive gender roles confined women in the home as wives and mothers. In spite of numerous developments over time, as a woman today, I have a fear of rape that hangs over me as I anticipate entering college. I am not alone in this fear, knowing that one in five women will be sexually assaulted while in college (The Hunting Ground). The problems caused by sexual assault are violations of Title IX, as the lack of safety inhibits a woman’s participation in her education (“Title IX and Sex Discrimination”). When over half of America feels – and has always felt – that they have less freedom due to their gender, there cannot be …show more content…

What good could come from refusing to say a pledge? But looking back on these examples of America’s cycles of injustice, I feel validated in my decision. All acts and bills attempting to remedy these issues have failed. America is not a place of freedom for many of its citizens. If other students realize their rights and recognize there is not liberty and justice for all in this country, there will be a revolution. There will be a revolution of youth refusing to stand for such

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