The Perception of America

“America is a nation that can be defined in a single word, Asufutimaehaehfutwu, scue me” (President Joe Biden). There it is, a direct, pure, and uninterrupted definition of America, and all the people that live in it. On a more serious note, what truly is America? Is it a place of freedom? Maybe it is a place of expression or opportunity. Well, what about pride? America may not be a country that is able to be summed up in one word, whether that be literal or not. It is a country that can be summed up in one essay. Over a week's time many people were asked a few questions such as, “What is America to you?”, “What is your American dream?”, and “What is your American creed?”. In the diversity of the people, one main idea emanated from them all; freedom, the ability to pursue what you want.

William Morphey had two answers, “Short answer: America is my home. Long answer: America is a place with many people with different cultures that we can learn about. It also has a path for everyone to chase their dream, even though the path isn’t easy because of competition and personal challenges. America is also a place where people can feel pride for their community/views and spread their worldviews to others," (William Morphey). William, an 18 year old film major, says that America is a place for diversity, and how it will not stop you from being able to pursue your American dream. With jobs spanning from game streamers to oil rig workers, it does not matter who you are or what you have done (except for illegal activity sometimes), you can work that job. A 90 year old man can work in the medical field and a 14 year old can work in grocery stores or fast food departments. It does not matter your culture, age, race, or any other demographic. If you want that job and you are a citizen of America then you go get that job.

Just one input from a very young and rather inexperienced man is not enough to define all of America, so next up is Blake Langford. Blake, a 26 year old state trooper, former police officer and ambulance driver, says, “America to me is a place that's taken for granted by its people by how much freedom we actually have. We are a broken country just like everywhere else but I still believe in the good of people in this country and I believe we can push through the bad and get better. It's one of the few places we can worship God without persecution. And having guns is pretty cool too”.(Blake Langford) He starts off immediately by saying that we have so much freedom in comparison to other countries, and we do not know just how fortunate we are. He says we are similar to other countries with the fact that we also have our struggles and downs, but we are a strong country and can resolve our problems. He points out the fact that we have freedom of religion, with many other countries not allowing that, and killing people because the government does not like the religion that they believe in. In America we don't have to meet up secretly underground, hidden from everyone to practice their religious beliefs, but we can do it openly and not get killed for it. Blake also mentions that we can bear arms, with him being a state trooper and former police officer, it may be a little biased, but similar to the freedom of religion, it shows even more of the freedom of America.

Mrs Darla Tucker is a teacher at a private christian school, and she says that america is a place for growth, enterprise, freedom and industry. There it is, the topic of freedom yet again. But along with freedom is growth, enterprise and industry, three new words. She says we are able to take on big challenges and grow from those challenges to make us a better nation. Her American dream is that people can come from less, can work, and get educated. In America, everyone should be able to get a solid education, and more importantly, a job, which ties back to freedom in the end.

In conclusion, America isnt about “ Asufutimaehaehfutwu”, nor is it only about freedom, though it is a pretty big part, it's also a place for people of all colors, shapes, and sizes to unite as “one nation under God” and set aside those differences to work together as a healthy and strong nation.