Camden Central High School
Camden, Tennessee
Teacher: Wanda Allen
American Spirit
By Joshua Elliott
11th grade
Many people of the multitudes of other nations ask what it is like to be American. Why are we Americans so proud of who we are, of the nation we create together? They wonder also at the government with which we seem so hypocritical, scorning it within our own borders then shouting its praises from the rooftops of foreign countries. How do we actually feel about this ambiguous ruling body? These answers will always change from person to person, but one certainty is there. No matter the religion they practice, the language they speak, or of which race they are born, they are American and will never hesitate to point it out.
One of the first and largest truths of being an American is that pride we carry always at the forefront of our actions. It is safe to say that America is one of the strongest superpowers in the world, but there is more to it than that. We enjoy one of the highest standards of living worldwide, as well as the greatest sense of security that any nation has ever experienced. We usually puff out our chests when we say that. Fortunately, we have good reason for an otherwise snobbish action. We have fought tooth and nail for the right to say we are a nation in battle after battle. First in the Revolutionary War and then again in the Civil War, we used every ounce of strength we had to try and define a growing nation. Men and women bled and died for this definition. When the dust finally settled, we discovered who we are as a nation. More importantly, we had a sense of what we could do when threatened. From then on, we were prominent in the international scene and we were extremely confident of our actions.
Our pride comes also from the seemingly endless diversity of people who stand together to say ‘We are America’. From the day we began this country, we were a country of various nationalities and cultures. As it aged, more people from even more countries found their way onto our shores and into our hearts as fellow countrymen. Many of these people had to fight for their chance to claim their piece of the American pie. In a sense, many of them have even more reason to be proud of their American heritage than those of us whose ancestors help begin this nation. Their struggles and hardships further enhance our country’s definition of itself. The amazing number of differences they brought and continue to bring us to incorporate in our nation is invaluable in shaping our identity.
Then, of course, there is the unfathomable question of our government. How do we as Americans feel about our government and what does it tell about being American? The opinions of our current government and its actions range from every end of the spectrum. It’s incredibly easy to find one person on the street who loves the government, then turn around and find another who hates it completely. The common grounds by which these people live under the same ruling body are often obscured by the very opinions these people proclaim. However, they exist nonetheless in the principles and thoughts that this government was originally based upon.
Every American today holds dearly to the call of liberty and freedom. We adhere to them as we do nothing else in this world. From these mightiest of words sprout such ideas as government by consent and individual rights that, as Samuel P. Huntington says, create the American Creed. This is the greatest factor in defining Americans, the most powerful of all our countless traits. Where others may divide or individualize us, our beliefs that we control the ruling body that governs us and that we are all entitled to the same rights no matter who we are, unite us and create our American spirit.
Being an American is more than your place of birth or where you live now. It goes beyond the language you speak or the color of your skin. It outweighs the religion you practice or your opinions on the government today. It’s the power in your heart to do what you feel is right, what you know is right. When we act as we should by the words of our forefathers, we are a nation and a people to be reckoned with. That, to me, is the true definition of an American. A real American will always stand up for his or her beliefs and rights. We will always offer a hand to those who wish to do the same, for they have a piece of that American spirit in them as well.
Answers To Required Reading Questions
Q1- Explain, in your own words, the three developments in our culture that have contributed to the disorder Professor Huntington senses in the USA today.
The first development is called multiculturalism, which makes it hard to teach the cultural origins and dealings of each community. The second is “transnationalism”, where people who say they are world-citizens try to affect a greater point of view than that of our nation through their words and actions. The last is the “Hispanization of America” which is making this country both bilingual and dominantly bicultural.
Q2- Define and discuss the American creed, the ideology that Professor Huntington cites as one of the historic sources of our national identity.
The American creed is the set of principles that all men and women are entitled to, specifically individual rights and government by consent.
Q3- Explain the difference between culture and creed, according to the Professor.
Creed is the set of principles America spearheads while culture deals with the origins and major components of the American society.
Q4- Professor Huntington thinks culture is more important than creed. Do you? Explain.
I feel that creed is more important than culture. The beliefs by which we govern ourselves and the actions they invoke should mean more than the language with which we promote them or which religion backs them.
Q5- Discuss “founding” as expressed by Aristotle’s Politics.
Founding is basically the first step or two in defining a country.
Q6- Complete the sentence attributed to Aristotle’s thinking: “We are just free enough to____________________.” (Fill in the blank.)
“…be able to take responsibility for the things in life we cannot choose-the geographical, economic, cultural, and other factors that condition our freedom but don’t abolish it.”
Q7- Which took precedence in the founding of America; natural law and rights or the British Constitution?
The concepts of natural law and rights far outweighed any British influence.
Q8- What was the reason for the traditional conservatives’ opposition to the rationalism that fueled the French Revolution?
They felt that rationalism would be 100% counter-productive to particular societies’ political health. They believed that each nation should create its own government, and the French Revolution was trying to create new governments like they were part of a single worldwide community.
Q9-American Intelligence efforts uncovered a group of Taliban leaders attending a funeral. By current military terms of engagement no action could be taken against these “sitting duck” enemies. Why? Is this, in your opinion, a good or bad outcome? Defend your position.
I think this was a very good outcome. They were vulnerable in a non-military, personal situation and were in no way a military threat. We as a nation should not lower ourselves or our morals in order to find victory. A dishonorable victory is not a victory at all.
Q10- The Geneva Convention requires signatories, (the USA is one of a multitude of signatories) to enact their own laws in keeping with the ban against torture. Currently U.S. law prohibits conduct denigrating the dignity and rights of foreign prisoners that is so narrowly defined as to be codling in the opinion of many Americans. The military acknowledges that this conduct would not be reciprocated by Al Queda and Taliban terrorists. Does this military code of conduct make you proud to be an American? Why or why not. If not, what should be done to correct the situation?
I am proud to be a part of any country that treats their wartime prisoners with kindness. When you treat an with kindness or respect, whether they do or not, you show that you are stronger in character than your enemy.
Q-11 Can or should America impose its form of government on other nations?
We most certainly could, but under no circumstances should we ever do such a terrible thing.