In Braiding Sweetgrass, the chapter, Allegiance to Gratitude, uses the daily Pledge of Allegiance as insight to how we should be thinking of the Earth. The Earth deserves our utmost respect, and a daily reminder is due of the allegiance we owe to it. I really enjoyed reading it along with the class — hearing from a diversity of voices was great way to give thanks to the Earth. After reading the thanksgiving to the planet, I believe that a shortened version should replace the classic Pledge of Allegiance to the flag everyday. Of course, that is not likely — but I have seen a trend of more and more people not standing to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Clearly, it does not matter enough to all kids — especially when everyone has different backgrounds and it becomes a bore to repeat the same thing on the daily. So, what would it mean to briefly acknowledge something great about the planet each day; perhaps every day, a new acknowledgement in the form of a haiku or reflection would be recited.
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