Americans used to use many versions of what we recognize today as “The Nazi Salute” during the pledge of allegiance. This salute was called “The Bellamy Salute.” Here’s a little history about the Bellamy salute.
“The pledge of allegiance was originally written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a socialist magazine writer. When he wrote it for an children’s magazine, he also described a salute that he thought would be appropriate during its recital.
The pledge was aimed towards children, and the magazine also gave free flags away to schools, where the pledge was originally recited. The salute they were taught to give, with one stiff arm outstretched toward the flag, was deemed the “Bellamy salute” after its creator (who had gotten the idea from a salute that the Romans had done).
In the early 1940s, it was noticed that the salute bore a resemblance to a certain other salute being used in Germany at the time (which was based off of the same original Roman salute). As a result, it was formally replaced by Congress with the now-customary hand-on-heart during the pledge.”
This creepy video starts with black school children saluting the flag during the pledge of allegiance, using the palms up version of the salute. When you think of someone stretching out their hands with their palms up, what do you immediately think they are doing? Asking for something right? I found it interesting that the black school children were taught that version of the salute, but maybe I’m just being paranoid.
Personally, I found this video to be disturbing on many different levels, the flag has become an idol that many Americans seem to worship more seriously than their actual religious deities. I don’t think there is anything wrong with patriotism. America has the potential to represent a better world, it has some lofty ideals that most homogeneous countries around the world have not come as close to achieving. The idea of different races and cultures living together under one flag, all equal, prosperous, and unified, is a wonderful dream that could happen one day.
However we must beware of the seductive addiction known as “American Exceptionalism.” This nationalistic narcissism is usually fueled by fervent flag worship, coupled with the America “can do no wrong” attitude.
America’s inability to recognize and come to terms with its mistakes both past and present, truly holds America back from achieving greatness beyond even the imagined greatness so many Americans believe we already have. Watching this video, just imagine how close America became to becoming like Germany in the 1930’s. And ask yourself if you feel if that danger still exists today.
Here is the video.
