The Pledge of Allegiance has a long and complex history, filled with changes in the words, lawsuits, and controversy. The original pledge was created by Francis Bellamy in 1892 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the explorer Christopher Columbus.

The original text read: “I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

In 1923, the words “the flag of the United States of America” were added. Now it reads, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Back in 1954, however, due to the communist threat at the time, Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words “Under God.” This change was made, creating the 31-word pledge we hear today.

The Pledge of Allegiance is now recited in schools all across the nation. Almost every state (including Massachusetts), except Nebraska, Hawaii, Vermont, and Wyoming, requires a daily resuscitation of the pledge. This poses an interesting question.

Is it illegal for public schools like Ipswich and public schools all around Massachusetts to not recite the pledge every morning? The answer: Yes! It is stated in Massachusetts law, under Section 69, that “Each teacher at the commencement of the first class of each day in all grades in all public schools shall lead the class in a group recitation of the ‘Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag’.”

It also states: “Failure for a period of two consecutive weeks by a teacher to salute the flag and recite said pledge as aforesaid, or to cause the pupils under his charge so to do, shall be punished for every such period by a fine of not more than five dollars.” So we have our answer. It is illegal for public schools in Massachusetts to not recite the pledge every morning. I read that quote, and I got a little confused because, up until this point, I had not been reciting the pledge. Was I breaking the law by doing so?

When I asked Principal Menegoni, from Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, if they said the pledge, he responded, saying, “We recite the pledge every morning in homeroom, as required by Massachusetts law. Students are not required to participate; if they choose not to, we ask that they sit quietly until the pledge is complete.”

So students at Hamilton-Wenham don’t have to say the pledge every morning, but if they choose to do so, it’s there.

Do students at Ipswich have to say the pledge? No! Due to many lawsuits in many different states, forcing students to recite the pledge every morning violates their First Amendment right to freedom of speech. So now we are given a choice every morning. To stand for the pledge, or not to stand for the pledge. It’s up to personal opinion.

When I asked Ipswich High School junior Raiyne Carlton whether they stood for the pledge or not, they responded with “No. I don’t believe in god, and there are references to god.” They also stated, “I also think that America does have liberty and justice for all in mind, but does not execute it well.”

On the other hand, when I asked Mrs. Scarano, the 7/8th Grade Orchestra Director if she said the pledge, she said, “Yes! I do say the pledge. The opportunity to say the pledge is more than a formality for me. Eight years ago, I became an American citizen. While I was here in America as a Canadian citizen, I did not say the pledge. To me, saying the Pledge of Allegiance is more than rattling off some words by rote. Words are supposed to be a reflection of one’s character.”

When asked about the inclusion of the words “under God” in the pledge and how that relates to the separation of church and state, she replied, “Those words, “under God,” are the reason that I can say the pledge. I think, however, that the phrase “separation of church and state” does not relate to the pledge. I am not aware of a church that says the Pledge of Allegiance as part of its weekly liturgy.”

Both of these two viewpoints echo what it means to be a student in the public school system, with both sides working together, no matter what the other’s opinion is. And that’s what we should strive for. We should try our very hardest to incorporate compromise and the welcoming of new ideas into the government. Without it, nothing will function. 

Now, the question extends to you: Do you say the pledge? Why?