Question

Discuss why the perspectives of various non-White ethnic populations and racial groups within the U.S. e.g. African Americans, Mexican Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, would differ from that of White, middle class Americans in regard to the pledge of allegiance? Explain why or why not.

Answer 1

Everyone in the United States is expected to take a pledge of 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. The words in the pledge brings out the importance of the constitution such as one nation, indivisible, liberty and justice while in reality the minority and the people of color are systematically neglected from education, employment, housing, healthcare, property and political participation thus, dividing and treating them differently. This would mean the core value of the country and the constitution expressed in the pledge is violated by the majority. As suggested by conflict theory, the society is in a perpetual conflict for the limited resources available where social order is maintained not through consensus but through domination. This would mean that the power elites and the racial majority tries to control most of the resources while at the same time expect the minorities to take pledge for unity and justice. So, this discrimination and differential treatment would force the racial minority people not to take the pledge although they contribute to the welfare of the country just as the white people and loyal to it.

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