Reflecting

by: Lia

Working this last semester with the topic of “Being an American,” has been a lot better then I initially anticipated. As I mentioned in my first post, I was less then thrilled when the class chose this topic.

There is a lot that can be, and has been, covered under the umbrella of “Being an American.” Good, bad, and everything in between. It’s important to open up avenues where dialogue among citizens can occur. It’s important that we listen to differing opinions, realizing we might not have all the information necessary to make an informed decision. As United States citizens we need to not only learn to critically analyze the workings of our government, but appreciate the freedoms and privileges we have.

As the saying goes, “with privilege comes responsibility.” We must be good stewards of our gifts and use them not for selfish gain, but to better the world around us. Yes, I said world. It’s not just about America and making us happy, but it’s about providing for those around the world that may be less fortunate then ourselves. That doesn’t mean taking over a country and enforcing our rules and power, but giving others the tools and provisions necessary to live a full and healthy life.

This semester as given me the opportunity to look at the world around me and realize that every thing I do, or don’t do, has an impact on others. I must be informed of the actions of my government and take the necessary steps to ensure that we are all being treated fairly. No more us and them mentality. As I think I’ve mentioned before, we are all part of the human race and we need to start acting like it.

Prison

by: Lia

It’s interesting that here in America we so willingly lock people away in prison for crimes that they committed instead of spending less money to get them the help they need.

Let’s take someone with a mental disorder for example. Their mental disorder might not be enough to send them to a psychiatric hospital, but it’s enough to make them unable to function properly in society. According to Mental Health America, “An estimated 54 million Americans suffer from some form of mental disorder in a given year.” Yet, with treatment, “many people with mental illness return to a productive and fulfilling life.”

What about drug addicts and dealers? When they are locked in prison for their crime, do they at least get substance abuse counseling? To me, that would be the most logical step. Only 1 out of 10 drug offenders actually get the counseling they need.

Most drug abusers that go into prison end up abusing drugs there as well. When they get out of prison they do what their body has trained them to do, they use again, and then get put back in prison. It’s a vicious cycle.

In the mean time we are spending all this money to keep them in prison, when it would cost less to give them the treatment needed. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, it costs $23,000 each year to keep just one prisoner in prison.

Futbol

Many originally American elements have been adapted by other countries, becoming more popular and socially acceptable; several of which include clothes, music, spending habits, food choices, etc.

Some trends have not been adopted by American society from surrounding countries.

One such trend that especially surprised me is the internationally acclaimed sport of soccer. The game, drawing much attention all around the world, becomes barely discussed in American popular culture.

The modern game was originally created in England, with the formation of the Football Association, governed by an international authority (International Federation of Association Football), which holds annual the World Cup.

This particular sport is especially popular in countries such as England, Italy, Germany, France, South Korea, Japan, Brazil and Mexico. But trends have never quite reached American soil.

Why is this?

The one controversial and not fully determinable reason is due to the sport’s history. The sport’s history and success resides in our European counter-part.

Does our need for social trends and popularity stem simply from our own roots?

Life in America

The renowned play “West Side Story” gives its audience a clear lens into the cultural separations of 1950s American society.

This play also gives us a clear understanding of the differences between the idealistic and realistic expectations of the American Dream.

In the song entitled “America,” this clear distinction is made.

There is a clear contrast between the two trains of thoughts, where “everything is free in America, “ well only “for a small fee in American.”

They acknowledge that “buying on credit is so nice,” but then the men echo in reference to their Latino ethnicity and suggest, “one look at us and they charge twice.”

The following contrasting lines create additional controversial elements between what is actually truthful of the American Dream, and what the reality of racial prejudice in America.

I have my own washing machine. What will you have though to keep clean?

Skyscrapers bloom in America. Twelve in a room in America.

Lots of new housing with more space. Lots of doors slamming in our face.

I’ll get a terrace apartment. Better get rid of your accent.

Life can be bright in America. If you can fight in America

Life is all right in America If you’re all white in America

Despite the rhyming phrases, complimented by choreographed dancing, the lyrics prove to be quite profound and controversial. Despite the hope for a better life, one filled with hope and options, one must question if this opportunity if available to all, regardless of ethnicity.

Are you “free to be anything you choose?” or “free to wait tables and shine shoes?”

Miss America

If one were to categorize the ideal American woman, the one who is the best of the best, the finest representation of an American, who would she be?

Thanks to the Miss America pageant, we know.

Or do we?

The Miss America pageant, originating as a beauty contest in the early 1920s, is now the largest provider of college scholarships for women in all of America. Held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, this “scholarship competition” offers the largest financial opportunity for American females in the nation.

The winner must represent the epitome of the American woman.

So what does this look like?

The competition is based on five elements: the personal interview, talent, lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit, eveningwear, and the onstage question.

The ideal American woman, quite obviously, is well spoken, talented, fit, and articulate. In contrast, the ideal American woman does not have a speech impediment, can most definitely juggle with and has played a musical instrument from birth, looks great in a bikini, even better in a gown, and would never consider having a native language other than English.

What does it mean that 20% of the competition revolves around how the contestant looks in a dress, and only 5% is based on her response to an important current event?

Many times we question the American female stigma. We voice that we are more than just blonde hair and a pretty face.

Well, Miss America, what do we expect?

American Change

Does the “American” change over time?

My answer to this question would be followed with an addition question: Has America changed over time?

I would suggest the answer to be yes.

Through my interactions with the older generation, I have come to discover that the thoughts, perspectives, and hopes between generations is extremely different.

Personal identity, regardless if it is associated with citizenship, race, age, etc is determined and molded by personal experiences. The experiences that the younger and older generations have faced have been completely different, therefore their opinion on what it means to be an American is different as well.

It’s important, I think, when considering such a topic, to acknowledge both generations; to take both the Civil and Iraq war, the technology of the computer and the technology of the iPod, the Great Depression and the current recession.

Prayer

And now we come to the end... It's been quite the semester. I have learned quite a lot about our society, and have formed relationships with some of its newest members. I am now about to step out of the bubble of my private Christian liberal arts school, and into the world of the rich and the poor, the homeless and the mansion-dwellers, the hungry and the over-fed, the successful, the hopeful, the well-established... and the failures, the hopeless, and the immigrants. I will graduate from a hugely expensive university with little but a tiny scrap of paper to show for it (which society tells me that I need), and the learning which that paper represents (which is of much more value. Priceless, in fact).
America, to me, means consumerism, a house in the suburbs, and a life in the rat race. It also means exploitation of the 3rd world, atrocities carried out in the name of democracy, and a military force larger than that of the rest of the world combined. Sorry for the judgment and cynicism. I realize that other countries would probably be no better if they had as much power as we... All of that to say; I think the best way to end this series of blogs is with a prayer.

May God lead us away from arrogance and hypocrisy and towards humility. May God give us the strength to give up our greed and spread the wealth to those who truly need it. May America give up the idolatry of Nationalism and instead seek the God of Truth who shows up in the faces of our brothers and sisters all over the world. May we move away from individualism and toward community, building relationships of love with those we used to ignore or despise. May we pull away from our television sets long enough to recognize and respond to the ill-effects of the non-committal sex and mindless violence with which our culture is unhealthily saturated. May we be a people who seek justice for the poor and helpless. May we learn to love laughter and peace. May we lead the way in laying down our weapons (or turning them into farm equipment). May my skepticism be proven wrong.
Amen.