Unfortunately, I feel that the America I have grown up with and the textbook view was just a white perspective, but this is evolving, as children in school are now learning about the stories of others and how these people have overcome obstacles to redefine the American Dream.
As America is a young country, I believe this notion to separate and to be individualistic comes from having broken away from a monarch and become our own country where we choose what our own future (cue the Hamilton music—” I am not gonna miss my shot!”). However, the pride of our nation cost us the greatest loss of life in our history with our own people during the Civil War. I find that in general we are quick to respond in action when this may not always be the best solution.
Being a large, as well as young, nation, we often see the rest of the world as being small and in many ways less important. This mindset has influenced me from a young age to think of the U.S.A. as being the top dog. As America seeks to be the number one nation in the world, it has poured money into its military, as a means of defending our freedom. Our military is valued and honored--although not perfectly, as our veterans tend to suffer after they come home, even, in some cases, becoming homeless). Despite these shortcomings, we strive to resolve and care for those who have served our country faithfully and to look after their families.
As I bring this article to a conclusion, one funny detail from my time abroad is that my German friends found a ball cap I wore to be hilarious since it was showed the outline shape of my state New Mexico. My friends here were always curious about not just my pride at being an American but also my pride as a member of a particular state.
