America - Land that I Love

Let’s be honest. Things are not easy for many Americans and, for that matter, people in general in the world. During these tough times we find ourselves grumbling about life, money, and the government.

I wanted to take a step back today and remember all of the reasons that we should still be proud to be Americans.

I know that things are far from perfect but we have many, many reasons to be grateful for where we are and who we are.

There have been articles written in newspapers in the world offering rewards to anyone who killed an American. You would never see such an article in America. We would never offer a reward for killing another human being. In fact, recently there was a picture of American soldiers, not killing, but urinating on the corpses of those who have persecute Americans. There has been much talk about their misconduct. However, to the pride of America, it was their brothers who stood up and vocalized that this is an unacceptable practice. I will admit that there was a side of me that wanted to defend the actions of these soldiers on some level. Soldiers are set into a surreal place that those of us who feel safe in our homes can thank God that we will never have to experience and I contend can never truly empathize with. I don’t think we can truly imagine having to look over our backs during every waking moment and never truly having a restful moment either knowing that during any one of those moments someone is waiting to take your life. We will never have to see the horror that they see when women and children are mistreated in horrific ways. We do not see innocent men beaten, abused, and killed on a daily basis. It must do terrible things to the mind. Still Americans stand up and speak out against any act that is not deemed humanitarian. We realize that we must rise above acts of vulgarity and pledge that we will not reduce ourselves to such levels even in such unspeakable situations.

Going back to the advertisement to reward anyone who kills an American, one needs to recognize that they may be killing a relative, because essentially Americans represent everyone! We are a melting pot of all cultures. So, to knock Americans is to knock oneself. Thus, they would be advertising to kill their own. Were you aware that there are more Muslims in America than in Afghanistan?

Americans are the most generous people in the world. Just look at the record of Americans coming to the rescue of those in the world. Perhaps it is because of our people and their ancestral ties to the rest of the world.

Yet, Americans are very independent people. However, mess with anyone of us and watch out. It kind of reminds me of a family. Family members can argue amongst themselves but let someone else mess with them and watch out. The 911 situation was a perfect example. Number one the buildings that were hit were THE WORLD TRADE CENTERS. The World people – not the United States Trade Center. We were hit but we were not defeated. In the days that followed this atrocity, Americans put out their flags and their hearts. We walked the talk of being a united people. Oh yes, the display faded with time, but hit us again and watch the people come together. We do not need to flash this every moment. We know it in our hearts.

I happen to live in an area of the country where we have blizzards and are sometimes stranded. Anyone who has ever been in this position will attest to the support they received during such challenges. Neighbors come with their shovels, their blankets, their muscle power or whatever it takes.

So world, we are a family. We will grumble and complain amongst ourselves, but mess with us and you will see a strong and united people. To the world at large who are our allies, we embrace you as we are a welcoming people.

I contend that is exactly what Americans could have as their motto – “Whatever It Takes.” I know that whatever it takes, we will be there in need.

Just watch the following video and feel the passion and the heart of Americans which is expressed in the art of those who experience the blessing of living in the United States of America.

One would be remiss to exclude, Lee Greenwoods, Proud to Be An American.

So yes, things are tough but we are tougher. We should remind ourselves daily how proud we should be to be an American citizen. The men and women who have laid their lives down to fight for the freedoms we enjoy in this great country of ours should not be forgotten in the midst of our woes.

So go ahead, use your freedoms to have your say or protest as you may but I will ask you today to stand up today and also say to someone, “I am proud to be an American.”

I could not end this hub without sharing one of my favorite videos. I share this with my students every year. We all say the Pledge of Allegiance in harmony but how many of us stop to think about what the words mean? Red Skelton does a great job!