pledge of allegiance

Battles over patriotism, Pledge of Allegiance in schools span a century

by Randall Curren and Charles Dorn

Seventy-five years ago, at the height of America’s involvement in World War II, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette that guaranteed public school students’ right to refuse to stand in patriotic salute.

The ugly history of the Pledge of Allegiance — and why it matters

by Christopher Petrella

Requiring displays of patriotism have often been tied to nativism and bigotry.

Trump Touts Pledge of Allegiance with Socialist Roots

by Peter Dreier

Donald Trump’s vision of America clashes sharply with the original intent behind the Pledge of Allegiance, penned during the Gilded Age to promote equity, tolerance, and progressive ideals.

Historian Gerald Horne says the resolute insistence upon the Pledge of Allegiance plays into a racist narrative

The narrative is based on the collective denial that the American Republic was founded on the enslavement of people of African descent along with the expropriation of the land and property of the Native Americans, he said in an interview.

College prof makes students recite anti-American 'pledge of allegiance'

Historian Charles Angeletti says he uses the pledge to get students thinking.

Old Glory: Patriotic Symbol?

by Rick Shenkman

Nothing seems more natural to an American than to venerate the patriotic symbols that represent America. But we didn't always.

So Conservatives Wave the Flag While Liberals Burn It?

by Peter Dreier and Dick Flacks

The liberal origins of many all-American patriotic rituals.