Article 10

“Pledge Should Foster Global Unity”

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Letters to the Editor — April 13, 1989

Pledge Should Foster Global Unity

During the 1988 Presidential campaign, there was a lot of political rhetoric on the subject of requiring our school children to daily recite the United States “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. The intentions of its sponsors were to instill in our children a patriotism and a pride in our nation that we, as adults, have lost in recent years.

These goals, though good in intention, are not in the best interest of the American people, and in the long run, could produce a catastrophic global effect. Before this issue comes to national attention again, we need to reinvestigate the consequences of this action and consider a practical solution.

Patriotic acts come from the hearts and souls of individuals. As we have seen throughout the world, patriotism cannot be suggested, lead, or forced by governments. In a country that prides itself on its preservation of the rights and freedoms of individuals, this truly would be a giant step backwards.

In the early years of a growing and divided nation, our colonial forefathers needed such a pledge to invoke a unity they did not have. Today, in the shadow of Chernobyl, acid rain, and the destruction of our rain forests and ozone layer, we clearly see that we need to take a more global approach in everything we do.

Keeping this antiquated pledge would be an act of isolationism. It’s the equivalent of the biggest, strongest, and brightest kid on the block going around, singing, “I’m the biggest, strongest, and best.” It may be true, and for a short time it may boost his ego, but it won’t win him any personality contests. Let’s not tell the world how great we are, let’s show them in our actions.

Like our forefathers, we live, once again, in a very divided world. Once again, we need some unifying force. If we, the great nation that we are, want to take the leadership that we have always shown in the past, let’s offer the world a practical solution. Let’s offer the world a new pledge of allegiance — a pledge that we can be proud of, and that the whole world can share.

I pledge allegiance to the planet Earth,
to make it a better,
healthier, and safer world for all mankind.

It’s a simple pledge, but it would no longer isolate us. It’s a pledge that our children can choose to say with pride. It’s a pledge we can offer the Soviet children, the Chinese children, and all the children of the world.

Think for just a minute what a feeling it would be to wake up, knowing that all children in the world are pledging, this very day, to make this a better and safer place for all mankind. Of course, we may not see any instant results, but in a generation or so, we may have created a whole new world.

Then, following the wisdom of our children, let Congress adopt this new pledge. Wouldn’t you feel better knowing that before they voted on a trillion dollar weapons system that day, they too had made this pledge?

We need to set the example. We need to do it now. We need all of your help.

Jerry Schmeer
Student