American Creed

In the PBS documentary film American Creed, David M. Kennedy, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian specializing in American history and a professor at Stanford University, said, “We are here today because we believed in myths and overcame them.” Americans uphold a type of reputation about how we follow our dreams. America’s concept of freedom is that anyone can pursue their dreams no matter what race, ethnicity, or background a person has. Condoleezza Rice, an American political scientist and diplomat, says, “When you are a country based on an aspiration notation, it doesn’t matter where you came from it matters where you’re going, it better be true because it’s the only thing holding us together.” This perception about the American culture has inspired millions of Americans to persevere their dreams despite failure.

Failure doesn’t define who we are as Americans. America got to where it is today by overcoming the unthinkable and never quitting on our own individual ambitions. Anyone can be who they want to be through perseverance and dedication. The biggest mistake that Americans can make is to think that success comes with no price. Success asks for one's time, effort, and dedication. Even after that the promise of the American Dream is sometimes not fulfilled. All we can do is not let the failure of not succeeding not define who we are. If we get knocked down, we get back up and get back to work. Perseverance is the core value that separates the great from the ordinary.

Education should have the utmost importance in American civilization, but sadly that isn’t how it is. At the Foundation for Excellence in Education Condoleezza Rice says in her speech, “There is no bigger issue in our country than education.” Education is the key to success. Being able to understand American issues can help people and our country prosper. Leila Janah, the founder of Samasource, says, “The goal of Samasource is to help people in poverty.” Leila does this through education. She only allows people who live under the poverty level to work for her company. She then trains them to work in computer engineering companies. Education can open tremendous opportunities for anyone. No matter what race, religion, gender, or age a person is.

The idea of the American Dream is the biggest aspiration for most Americans. Although opportunity isn’t the same for most people, any American can become whoever they want to be. We can not let the fear of failure stop us from becoming who we want to become. Small-minded people will always discriminate against the people who think differently than they do. Failure is bound to happen throughout life. It just matters on how one reacts to it. Education can help any person on their journey to success. Ernest Hemingway, an American writer, wrote that “... man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” Defeat can not define us. Americans persevere through failure and create amazing inventions and ideas. The bridge between reality and dreams can be paved by education. Having a good education can help Americans conceive logical and realistic ideas and thoughts that can help America flourish. The more a person knows about the concept of their aspirations, the more likely they’ll be able to achieve their goals.