In Robin Wall
Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass, a Potawatomi sunrise ceremony is used to
send gratitude into the world. At a
local school in Onondaga the Pledge of Allegiance is not recited in the morning
and in its place the Thanksgiving Address is used to express gratitude for
Mother Earth’s gifts to humans. I agree
that we as human beings should be thankful for all the beautiful things that
the Earth has to offer. I think that in
our busy lives people often forget to give thanks for necessities that may get
overlooked such as water and food. I
also think that some people may take life for granted and think that they may
live to see another day. Furthermore, in
the Allegiance to Gratitude chapter the Pledge of Allegiance is seen as a
pledge to a political party whereas the Thanksgiving Address is a pledge to
life. “The Thanksgiving Address reminds
you that you already have everything you need and life is bigger than anyone on
this Earth.” Gratitude for life brings
unity among the Potawatomi people and other tribes. The Thanksgiving Address includes gratitude
for land, water, animals, plants, and everything that sustains the many
tribes. I think that the Thanksgiving
Address is more specific, which is why it is longer than the Pledge of
Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance is
unique to every person, because when I recite it I am bombarded with many
thoughts and emotions. In my thoughts I
am thankful for the great states in the U.S. that I have visited such as
Washington, Florida, South Carolina, and California. I am thankful for the beautiful national
forests like Yosemite National Park where I have seen some of the best
waterfalls and lakes. I am also thankful
for the abundance of healthy food available that is not available in other
countries that I have visited. I think
that other people are thankful for various things that our Nation has to offer as
they recite the Pledge of Allegiance and when it is recited it unites and
builds patriotism.
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