Week 2: Reflection

Prior to this weeks’ readings and writings, I had a very stereotypical attitude about “What is an American?” Apple pie, baseball, democracy and automobiles are all that represents us today. My attitude was quite pessimistic. We have become lazy, self righteous and greedy. Our forefathers would look at us and be ashamed of who we have become. They would see our government as a mockery of the original vision they had for this great nation. But have we strayed so far off course? Are we really as lost as I originally thought?

Dr. Brandon said the pioneers probably worked just as hard as we do but they just worked at different things. True, we don’t have to clear forests by hand or build our homes with primitive tools. We don’t have to grow everything we eat or sew the few clothes we have to wear. We do have to work one and sometimes two jobs to make ends meet. Some have to work and go to school at the same time because, today, education is essential for success. The world we live in is fast paced and changes so rapidly it is a struggle to keep up. de Crevecoeur said here we feel a share of national pride (48) here there are no aristocratical families… no kings… and the rich and poor not so far removed from each other (49). Twice, in discussion, it was mentioned that with a little luck and a lot of hard work almost anything is possible here. de Crevecoeur also said like all other plants they have taken root and flourished (53). America is a place where people have the room and opportunity to become something great. We exhibit a “strong religious medley” (65) and there is room for everybody in America (75). My favorite quote was, Men are like plants; the goodness and flavour of the fruit proceeds from the peculiar soil and exposition in which they grow. We are nothing but what we derive from the air we breathe, the climate we inhabit, the government we obey, the system of religion we profess, and the nature of our employment (56). What I have learned is that although we have changed drastically, which is destined to happen with time, our roots are planted deep in the soil of ideals from our forefathers. We are not so far removed from where we came from. We are a new race of men, we are Americans (55).