This article was originally published prior to June 2, 2013. Due to a change in the content management systems, the initial publication date in not available. 

After fulfilling my civic duty Nov. 4, I joined millions of Americans in watching and waiting for the winner of the presidential election to be announced.

I watched and hoped that Barack Hussein Obama would be declared the 44th president of the United States of America. OK, secret’s out – I Baracked my vote. But I come from a family of conservatives, so before you McCain readers flip this page in disgust, let me explain the non-partisan reasoning for my rejoice of Obama’s victory.

While watching crowds of people all over the country and the world in a delirious state of celebration, for the first time since Sept. 11, I felt patriotic.

Since Mrs. Ebeling’s first-grade crash course on American History at Centennial Elementary School, I have been told about the freedoms I have and which this country stands for, ensuring “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” to all citizens.

For years, I started each school day standing adjacent to my small wooden desk, crossing my right hand over my heart and regurgitating the Pledge of Allegiance with my classmates.

According to my calculations, I recited these words at least 1,260 times during my elementary school career. But only now do I truly understand their meaning.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE, TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Those stars and stripes hung in the stale corner of the classroom and decorate passing trucks.

This object is supposed to represent freedom. I am supposed to look at this object with pride, but somehow it seemed to be a symbol reserved for conservatives and the military.

Now, I suddenly find myself tempted to purchase one of those static cling flags for my little two-door car. I look at the flag with a new meaning, new pride.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS

Maybe that’s why this flag was not dear to me. The Republic for which it stands did not represent me. Politics were not for the average young person like myself.

There was a world of politics separate from my world and they rarely intersected. Political campaigns are driven by money, and the decisions to follow correlate with their sponsors.

I am not a sponsor. I am a student.

Now this Republic is my Republic. This government actually is “of the people, by the people and for the people.” People like me.

ONE NATION, UNDER GOD

One nation. Not delineated by families, by income, by race, by state, by political party. One nation, with a diverse array of beliefs and backgrounds but that can live together in harmony.

INDIVISIBLE

This bond cannot be broken by our differences. We all stand for freedom. <br/>Our ancestors at one time were all on the same side, and so, deep down, are we.Our ancestors at one time were all on the same side, and so, deep down, are we.
Our ancestors at one time were all on the same side, and so, deep down, are we.

WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE

Freedom. My life is not dictated by any political office.

I choose my destiny. It is not predetermined by the life I was born into nor the opportunities presented to me. Justice, in the end, will prevail, and mistakes my family has made in the past will not forsake my future.

FOR ALL

For each and every citizen of this great country, even me, a typical 21-year-old middle-class white woman in Lawrence; Mr. Gallup, a World War II vet and my neighbor; my 4-month-old niece, Lola Jo; my 952 colleagues at this university. We all pledge our allegiance to the flag – to this great nation.