There use to be a time when Americans were so united. They didn’t resemble one another even if you paint them! They spoke all the languages in the world and formed an astonishing mixture of civilizations. Some of them were from nearly extinct civilizations, others were incompatible with one another, an in matters of religion, not even God could count how many there were.
This display was shown on September 11, 2001, when millions of Americans put their hand on their heart and said the Pledge of Allegiance. There were flags flown that day across the country, on buildings and cars as if in every place was a 4th of July celebration. It was a time when singing “the Star-Spangled Banner” was patriotic and everyone stood up to sing along with others, even when stumbling over the words, it was a great and unmistakable way to show how proud you were of the United States. It was a time when singing “God Bless America” all over the country didn’t sound croaky, silly, or ostentatious! It made other countries green with envy because they weren’t able to sing for their country without running the risk of being suspected of who-know-what is in your own interest. It made me wonder how on earth can millions of people from millions of backgrounds find such a common place and can unite in such a way that defines all odds. I tried to think of the answer, was it the land? Money? History? I tried to find an answer in the songs they sing, in words they speak, until I reached only one conclusion.
Only freedom can work such miracles. And its freedom in every sense of the word that we hold together this great nation that no one can ever take away. That is the one thing that unites us under a constitution that here in America, everyone is equal. They have freedom to speak, the right to peaceful assembly, petition our government, to travel without restrictions, the right to marry whoever we love, and the right to control your own fate and body. These are fundamental rights that no one can take away.
We need to bring back a renewed spirit of togetherness. Amid all the divisiveness we are experiencing we need to stand up with even a louder chorus of determination, and pledge to stand together in moments of uncertainty. National character is an elusive and suspect notion, but Americans at the most time carefree, pleasure seeking and willfully independent have a way of rallying in the face of social and political injustice that is sweeping our nation.
We have faced the world as one nation through many experiences and tragedy. Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination, Oklahoma City, 9-11, WWI and WWII, are just a few examples of how this nation came together, not in numb paralysis, but in fierce resolve. It’s the kind of strength that America is all about. When this spirit of America spreads across the country, it brings a spirit of solidarity from countries around the World. Americans coming together is the key to make America Great again. We are that shiny beacon that the entire world sees and the best hope for civility and freedom for them to strive for. We will be a richer and stronger nation, when we have country after country stand together with America.
America has always risen to the challenge when faced against all odds, and when provoked, we will do what we must do to see America great again. So, lets stand with out brothers and sister, united in our cause, and stand up against tyranny like our forefathers before us and show the World that we are America, braver and still free. It won’t be easy, fast, or simple, but that is not our American heritage. For I am and we are American.
