The things about America that some Americans value most were given to us during the writing of the constitution; the right to free speech, the right to choose our own religions, and the right to life and liberty. America became, and still is, a country with people from very different backgrounds, races, and religions.
However, some may argue that we are currently desperately trying to reshape how the world sees us. As a country, we have just elected President Barrack Obama, our first president of African-American hertiage. Some members of congress are trying to reform Healthcare policies and remove remove our soldiers from the middle east. On January 23, 2009, President Obama signed a document saying that Guantanamo Bay will be shut down within the year.
Over the past two days, another point was stressed at the conference; Every thing we do sends a message. What message is America sending?
I feel that America is trying to prove to the world that it is a righteous nation. Every country most likely wants other countries to believe that they are making the right decisions, but the election of the first black President, the shutting down of Guantanamo Bay and the current attempt to end the war tells me that America is trying to reconstruct it's image. These acts send me the message that America is trying to become more tolerant and peaceful. Are we?
What do you think?
Here's what I think: See this recent post. Otherwise, I like your story about reinvention -- it will be awesome to revisit when we read The Great Gatsby. The connection between that and America is a wonderful transition idea.
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