On July 4, 1776 America became the land of the free, and the home of the brave. Since breaking free from Britain’s control America has always been the land of opportunity for many. Throughout the years America has always been the greatest country, but times change and so do people. I believe America is not the greatest country in the world like we used to be. The culture of America is fizzling out. America was founded upon the greatest concept in history. That all men are created equal and have their rights given to them by God and not Government. These rights are life liberty and the pursuit of happiness unfortunately those rights have not been applied to african americans, women, native americans, latinos, and so on. Change needs to happen and soon. However, throughout the years our nation went to war with itself to end slavery costing the lives of many americans of different race and religion still gave their lives for the rights of life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
The culture of America has changed drastically. We went from “It matters not where you live or what rank of life you hold” (Paine 1777) to now discriminating against people that are different than ourselves. Another way the culture of America has changed is the country cared for more than material objects. In today’s society america there are “people who were more interested in their bank balance than their quality of life.” (Lewis 2017) Which has made our country change drastically from what it used to be. America cared for more than money, objects, and status. We cared about quality of life, each other, and our freedom.
America was founded on the idea that all men are equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These ideas have since been lost. Everyone is not equal and isn’t given the right to life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness. Women, African-Americans, latinos and so on are not treated equally. Women are not paid as much as a man is, even though women make up half of the workforce women are “ paid 80.5 cents for every dollar earned by men, a gender wage gap of 20 percent.” (iwpr 2017). America has many things that need to change, but a big change that needs to happen fast is not only gender equality, but racial equality. Police brutality is a major issue these days. Sadly, “, the 20 shots officers fired at Clark, who was hit in his back, were just the latest instance of police brutality against Black people” is what our nation has come to, it needs to be stopped and changed.
Despite the changes that need to happen there are some aspects of America that need to stay the same. Our nation has gone to war with itself to end slavery. Lives were given by those discriminated for freedom, and for our nation. The idealism has been “we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight!” (Henry 1775) about our freedom, always fight for it. That needs to stay how it is. America has always fought for what was right and just, never given up and protected each other. No man left behind. The statement “Give me liberty or give me death!” (Henry 1775) is a statement America has stood by since the words were said. As a nation, this needs to continue, pride and patriotism is strong in America fights for moral reasons and America needs to stay that way.
On the other hand, those who disagree that we fight for moral reasons may say ¨Our country’s lack of morality has real consequences that are capable of eventually sinking us as a nation.¨ (Hawkins 2015) The opposing side believes that our fight for freedom isn´t actually for freedom, it´s to prove how big and bad America thinks it is. But, we fight for our freedom, fight for what´s right and just.
Overall, America is not the greatest country like it used to be. Improving on gender and racial equality can unite this nation and make america a better country. Our patriotism and perseverance for fighting for just reasons should never change, It what makes an aspect of America great. Together, we can make America great again.
