My Responsibility to America

Mark Twain once said, “A patriot is the person who can holler the loudest without knowing what he is hollering about.” More often than not these days, politicians are using bombastic language to confuse the American people and infringe on their inalienable human rights. It is my responsibility to America to define these persuading terms, teach my children the character that America poses, and be a true patriot that is appreciative of my freedoms and rights as a citizen. It is my right to use my voice to determine my future, it is my right to vote for who will change my future, and it is my right to raise my children to create their future. We are living in a sad reality in which citizens are taking advantage of the service and protections that are provided by this great nation.

My rights have never been threatened but I have continued to build my knowledge on previous examples in America by studying history. Once I enlightened myself on wars such as World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War, I became obsessed with this idea of American pride and fighting for what you believe in. I delved into the deep realm of success stories in which law enforcement officers’ and veterans lives’ were drastically changed by a minimal act of patriotism by civilians. I stumbled upon a very controversial and hot topic nowadays and I believe that it needs to be addressed: police brutality. When children listen to the media twist stories of ‘police brutality’ we are faced with a new conflict that not only changes perceptions but also takes away from the euphoric reality that is usually the case. Unfortunate events such as these pose as the provincial and close-minded sector of America. It is my generation’s responsibility to diffuse the lethal weaponry being used to poison the minds of our children rather than closing them off to the bigger picture. I am not saying that these situations could ever be resolved because I have witnessed it personally, but rather than biasly censoring the media we should not ridicule law enforcement or look at them as the culprits, they have seen and been through enough. This debatable topic has been introduced to many political affairs, not to mention, the presence it has on social media. The projection of this topic is much too vague to reflect on the character of this great nation. These scenarios have been going on much too long but now, during my childhood, people are enraged by a mere video that does not depict the entire story. I do not believe in a riot based strictly upon video footage; a video of a person being abused or killed by a law enforcement officer should not be a big enough reason to rile up so much anger. These rioters and protesters need to learn the entire back story of the crime before using the victim's detriment as an excuse for anger. It is my generation’s responsibility to use their right to their voice by bringing attention to the peaceful protests that are developing changes rather than inflicting destruction and highlighting success stories that have been representative of this countries’ gorgeous promise.

My little girl should not be growing up with
authoritative figures degrading her confidence and
 causing her to aim for impossible body images

As a hopeful mother and pediatrician, children are going to make up a mass majority of my future. It is devastating to witness our nation’s future going to ruins as the naive are being corrupted by these overbearing and unjust politicians that are poor representations of this nation. My little girl should not be growing up with authoritative figures degrading her confidence and causing her to aim for impossible body images. My little boy should not feel less manly just because he doesn’t meet the ‘American standard’ and does not have the muscle mass of a professional football player. It is my responsibility to teach my children that their self-worth is not determined by what they wear or the contents of their wallet. I must also maintain children’s health, with this amount of power placed on my shoulders comes this great responsibility to reflect this great nation’s future. A future that revolves around honesty and integrity which can only be achieved through the use of our rights as voters. I will support our country's leader that upholds and communicates the truth above all other qualities. What lies ahead is dependent on the education and responsibility of our children.

 "I will support our country's
leader that upholds and communicates
the truth above all other qualities."

I will openly display my American rights throughout my home, my office, my church, and my community. My voice will be heard and my position will be known. I will instill my faith and beliefs into my future and my children’s future. America deserves at least a few citizens that are able and willing to represent its many magnificent qualities. We must stand together, as one nation under God, indivisible, to achieve our goals and respect this righteously free nation. It is my responsibility to work alongside the American people for this great nation in exchange for all the honorable rewards it has inherently bestowed upon us.