Pledge of Allegiance and Frances Wright

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Frances Wright and the Pledge of Allegiance Judging Americans for their perception and understanding of both the objective of celebrating the Fourth of July and the definition of patriotism, Frances Wright, a nineteenth-century Scottish-born writer, suggests for a more broader outlook when it comes to the federal holiday and patriotism itself. She refers to the Fourth of July as a day in which we should all reflect and rejoice over the accomplishments and downfalls of the past year, as well as overtime, rather than to spend it commemorating the United States’ split from Great Britain in 1776. She thinks that it is an appropriate time to assess the progress of our species and to reflect on how we’re improving together as a whole. Wright wholeheartedly believes in the love of the entire human race, and that just happens to be her definition of patriotism. Most individuals follow the traditional definition of patriotism, which honors the love for one’s country or homeland. With this definition in mind, it is fair to say that if a man is willing to fight for his country, he is patriotic; if a woman recites the Pledge of Allegiance every day, she is patriotic; if a family has a flag outside of their home, then they are patriotic. But according to Wright, this isn’t patriotism. This form of patriotism excludes every other race while putting oneself in preference. She believes that we are the world and we must honor every single person, whether he or she be Chinese or Malaysian or even American. Wright states that America, “is the palladium of human liberty--the favored scene of human improvement,” and that we’re honoring the country in the wrong way for the wrong reasons. Although I can understand where Wright is coming from, I still believe that there is nothing wrong with how Americans celebrate the Fourth of July. Every country

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