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.
Everyone repeated this mantra daily in my schools from 1st grade through 12th
Everyone except me.
See, my Mom had told me not to say it
but, quick to fear isolation from my peers,
I asked for an explanation.
She believed this indoctrination
needed reformation.

Following the demands of my mother, yet not fully understanding them,
I stood respectfully but did not place my hand over my heart.
I watched others take part in the fine art of following demands, yet also not fully understanding them.
Defiance and compliance; an opposite pair that share commonalities.
As I grew older, I came to realize the technicalities of this pledge and how it conflicts with our realities.
Because in all actuality, we repeat these 31 words as a formality.
Like drones we spit out these spoon-fed lines in monotonous tones
because it’s tradition. There are few suspicions.

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag, of the United States of America”
Means: “I promise to be loyal to the symbol of my country.”
Yet, when Obama was elected, many citizens selected to be self-ejected from this country;
Abandon all allegiances due to a few grievances,
just like that;
because their White Republican fell flat.
“And to the Republic for which it stands.”
Meaning: “this flag is in the hands of this nation, which elects representatives to make fair and just laws.”
But even this has flaws.
Because those who are elected win from all the money that’s collected from being injected into their party.
Politics has become infected with bribery and greed, but we’re expected to believe, we as a people select the true winners.
“One nation, under God.”
Religious activists have defended this line, offended that people defy the divine,
and that the writer had intended to include God, so it shouldn’t be amended.
Truth is, the lyrics were written by a minister, but he didn’t include religion in the original rendition.
“God” wasn’t included until Congress had concluded that the country needed to be separated from “goddless communists.”
Irregardless, the already fine line between church and state continues to be erased.
“Indivisible” is what we claim to be.
Yet, all 50 states have petitioned for partitions.
Over a million citizens have signed with the intention of secession.
148 years of progression has only resulted in regression.
“Indivisible” yet we are still separated by cash and color.
The war that divided this nation is not yet over.
“With liberty and justice for all.”
Meaning: “everyone is equal under the law.”
How can this be true when personal views prevent two people from marrying each other because of their gender?
So we can pick and choose who gets rights and who falls through?
Or “with liberty and justice for all”
Meaning: “Consequences and punishment that are fair.”
But I swear we see more Blacks convicted than Whites for the same crime.
Depicted to be a violent race, Blacks do more time.
Or “with liberty and justice for all”
Meaning: “Freedom to live without fear.”
But women walk down the street in fear of men who will beat them and cheat them of their privacy, stealing it by forceful rape revealing wounds that hospitals and clinics cannot heal.
We boast about our nation as if we are perfect because our textbooks have made our origins look revolutionary.
But sadly, we’ve been making the same mistakes for centuries.
I’m not saying to not have pride in this country.
We have many freedoms that others do not.
And I have the upmost respect for those who risk their lives for this nation.
We have a lot to be thankful for.
But we also have a lot to learn.

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.
Everyone repeated this mantra daily in my schools from 1st grade through 12th
Everyone except me.
Question what is customary.
Learn what you are reciting.
Discover your true beliefs.