Lately, I've been seeing a lot of statuses on social media regarding America's esteem. Typically, these statuses are in response to the bigoted Donald Trump's campaign slogan of, "Let's Make America Great Again." These statuses usually involve the author claiming something along the lines of, "When was America ever great? When we enslaved African-Americans? When we ignored the Holocaust? When we forced Native Americans from their homes?" Statements of that nature. Yes, there was heartless slavery practiced in America for years. Yes, we did force many Native Americans, and citizens of other nationalities, from their homes throughout the years. Americans have been responsible for many atrocities throughout our existence, but we're also responsible for some amazing feats.
Throughout our history we've done so many great things. Things that used to be unimaginable, but are common practice today. WE gave mankind wings in Kitty Hawk, N.C. WE put a man on the moon in 1969. WE made it possible for everyone to walk around with a phone in their pocket and call/text anyone in the world whenever they want. WE bridged the gap between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. WE came up with the practical car that normal people could afford.
WE, as a country, have invented and performed amazing things. I understand that maybe our inventions and winning wars doesn't make up for the damage we've caused, and the problems that we still have today, but I think it's worth noting that we have been great.
Yes, we practiced slavery. But, WE put an end to it. Americans abolished slavery. Americans helped put an end to Germany's genocide. We've made mistakes, but we've also tried to fix them. America isn't perfect. Our country is very messed up and faces many important issues today. But, I think we were great once. And, I think we can be great again. But not through putting a man like Trump in office or constantly polarizing ourselves. We must do it through realizing what has made us so great in the first place: The pursuit of the American Dream.
So many people claim that the American Dream in today's society is dead. But I think they're wrong. I think its meaning has just changed. The American Dream used to be the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of property. However, in today's society, I think we have a right and freedom to pursue other things. We have a right to pursue education. We have a right to pursue a career. And, most importantly, we have a right to pursue love. If we want to make America great again, I think these are the things we should focus on.
We should value the pursuit of education. Maybe college tuition doesn't have to be free, but it should be affordable, and we should celebrate the work that goes into obtaining it. We should be allowed to dream and pursue a career that is fulfilling and not just a means to an end. And, we should be allowed to start a family with whomever we want.
I'm not lobbying for any presidential candidate, but the man or woman who will next lead our country must understand that in order to make America great again, we have to understand why it was great in the first place. They must understand that in order to reclaim our country's greatness, we must reclaim the American Dream for ourselves. Let's make America great again, because once upon a time, we were great. We were the best country in the world. Why do you think everyone wants to come to America?
