It just seemed really weird to me, like the little kids where being brainwashed into a cult or religion. Do you really do that in US schools and what happens if the kid doesn't want to participate, is it mandatory?
shareHere in Europe, we have never done any of this pledging *beep* We're just not known for being that patriotic. Even the French, who are widely regarded as being very proud of their country, don't have this level of extreme patriotism.
----
rape is sad,but everything happens for a reason -Justin Bieber. And you admire this jagoff?
Saying the pledge of allegiance was certainly socially mandatory at the time, and is still very much expected, even though it's become more optional.
But in the film it was used as a scene to compare and contrast the many parallels between the USA and USSR during the Cold War. Both indoctrinate their citizens with domestic propaganda and mutual distrust. Spielberg meant for us to see lots of similarities and parallels, but to also realize that USA was and is more than willing to incarcerate, interrogate, and even exterminate enemies without a genuine due process... just like our foes have done.
Yes it was mandatory at the time. I remember saying the pledge all through elementary school. I don't think I knew what it meant until 5th or 6th grade but rattled it off anyway.
shareit would have been a more effective scene if one of the kids reciting the pledge took a knee. sorry, someone had to say it.
shareReciting the Pledge of Allegiance introduces the child to citizenship. There is nothing wrong with citizenship. Later, if they choose, they can join scouting, which takes citizenship to a higher level. Finally, when they are adults, they are introduced to paying taxes...the ultimate expression of citizenship.
share