The Huffington Post thinks the chalkboards from 1917, uncovered at an Oklahoma City School, are “creepy.” The Washington Post thinks they’re “haunting.” The “haunting” makes sense. One of the chalkboards breaks the news that the King of England would not allow the Pilgrims “go to their own churches.” If you’re Liberal, and trying to rewrite history, “haunting” sounds about right. Then there’s “creepy.” The anchor is young, and maybe meant it creepy to see actual cursive on a blackboard. We don’t do cursive these days. Then there’s the Pledge of Allegiance –– only a smattering of it on a chalkboard. Also below a quotation from pilgrim, Mary Allerton, the last of the Mayflower survivors. (h/t to Woodsterman, my favorite blogger, baaaaad boy)
Emerson High School, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – 1917
Did you know the original pledge, was penned by a Socialist, Christian, Baptist minister in 1882. Here’s his version written for the Youth’s Companion pamphlet: (Note that sources differ slightly in the chronological order of the Pledge evolving)
I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ~ Francis Bellamy
By 1923, the Pledge read:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all
By 1924, the Pledge read:
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands; one Nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
In 1942, Congress officially adopted the Pledge
1945, Congress officially adopted the name of the pledge: The Pledge of Allegiance
1954, on Flag Day, Congress added the words “Under God,” remaining to this day.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Maybe the creepiness is due to the observance of Thanksgiving (a welcomed day from work, because everyone worked, and an opportunity to give Thanks for blessings received from the Almighty, rather than a King. On the chalkboards, written in the offensive cursive, is a quote from Mary Allerton. She was a founder of Plymouth Colony, arriving in America on the Mayflower at the age of four. She outlived all of her fellow passengers. The quotation is not fully seen in this picture.
The dedication of the chalk boards, Lunch Room 3:
The math wheel, simpler, better than this, or this, and oh my!, this!
Don’t you wonder if any are still alive? Robert, Agnes, May, Sopha, Homer, Franco, Ray, Gladys, Sabil or Newton are still alive?
My favorite, a little girl blowing bubbles:
According to this video, the school district is planning to build a $26,000 wall to protect the slate board, until a decision is made on how to best preserve them.
Emerson High School, Oklahoma City, OK
