Don't take your America for granted
Tyler Bryant
Issue date: 10/30/09 Section: Opinion
I love America. I was raised in this wonderful country and I wouldn't have it any other way.
However, there are times when I think children are more insightful about American patriotism than adults with post-graduate educations. There is much to learn from today's youth and we could all use a healthy dose of their patriotic prescription.
Scholastic Company, best known for publishing educational materials for schools, recently asked students, ages 5 to 10 what it meant to be an American. The students' responses may surprise you.
One child said, "It is great to be an American. We get to play sports and eat lots of food. We get lots of toys, all because we are free, the best thing of all."
"Being an American means that we are all treated equally no matter what color skin you have, and it doesn't matter what culture you are from. If you are an American you are mighty lucky because you will be free forever," another child said.
As children we were taught many patriotic songs. The songs taught us at even a young age how wonderful it is to be an American.
Every day I find myself disagreeing with another fellow American, but still, I am glad I have that option. Too many times we get worn out emotionally with endless debates about right versus wrong. The best part of these debates is that even if you are wrong, you're equally American. Disagreements are what make this country the best in the world.
Anti-Americanism is reflexive and mindless. Patriotism, on the other hand, is quite intelligent, and a sense more Americans need. An overwhelming majority have strong patriotism, but others need some more of it.
Next time you're angry about a test you have to study for or you are frustrated you ran out of milk, take a look at the bigger picture. You're an American. You can go to school without fear of being thrown in jail for trying to get an education. You can buy more milk without the government telling you to which brand to buy.
Americans only make up 5 percent of the world - you're luckier than the other 95 percent.
However, there are times when I think children are more insightful about American patriotism than adults with post-graduate educations. There is much to learn from today's youth and we could all use a healthy dose of their patriotic prescription.
Scholastic Company, best known for publishing educational materials for schools, recently asked students, ages 5 to 10 what it meant to be an American. The students' responses may surprise you.
One child said, "It is great to be an American. We get to play sports and eat lots of food. We get lots of toys, all because we are free, the best thing of all."
"Being an American means that we are all treated equally no matter what color skin you have, and it doesn't matter what culture you are from. If you are an American you are mighty lucky because you will be free forever," another child said.
As children we were taught many patriotic songs. The songs taught us at even a young age how wonderful it is to be an American.
Every day I find myself disagreeing with another fellow American, but still, I am glad I have that option. Too many times we get worn out emotionally with endless debates about right versus wrong. The best part of these debates is that even if you are wrong, you're equally American. Disagreements are what make this country the best in the world.
Anti-Americanism is reflexive and mindless. Patriotism, on the other hand, is quite intelligent, and a sense more Americans need. An overwhelming majority have strong patriotism, but others need some more of it.
Next time you're angry about a test you have to study for or you are frustrated you ran out of milk, take a look at the bigger picture. You're an American. You can go to school without fear of being thrown in jail for trying to get an education. You can buy more milk without the government telling you to which brand to buy.
Americans only make up 5 percent of the world - you're luckier than the other 95 percent.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Jay Durham
posted 11/02/09 @ 2:28 PM EST
What a disingenuous article.
However I did enjoy this line: "As children we were taught many patriotic songs. The songs taught us at even a young age how wonderful it is to be an American. (Continued…)
Susan Franklin
posted 11/03/09 @ 9:19 PM EST
Toys R Us??? What does that have to do with patriotism? Commerce sure...patriotism though? Disingenuous article or cynical post? Try Iraq for a few days, and some of those childhood songs may actually ring true for you. (Continued…)
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