Pledge of Allegiance

Recently I have become interested in various manifestations of nationalism in the US, particularly as the intensity of rhetoric has increased while the diversity in language used in political statements has rapidly decreased after 9/11.

This is certainly not something unique and there are countless examples of this across the world in pretty much every modern period of perceived crisis. However, we now all have an excellent opportunity to watch a case study unfold before our eyes. My friend Jai pointed out an interesting CNN article about Bush’s increasing use of religious terms. Jai’s own research interests as a PHD student make him exceptionally sensitive and adept at detecting the growing theocratic undertones in politics and the media in events as diverse as the Shuttle crisis and preparations for the invasion of Iraq.

While I’m also interested in this topic, most recently I have wanted to learn more about the US Pledge of Allegiance. I was never required to recite it in the international schools I attended but it was required during my short period in the American Boy Scouts.

I believe most Americans, including until recently, myself (despite my dual-citizenship), take the pledge for granted. Only the recent “Under God” controversy has really raised consciousness about it to any significant level. However, I have recently come to suddenly realize that the pledge is really quite a fascinating topic…
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