Archive for March 21st, 2005

2005.03.21

Once Upon a Time in America Introduction

We still have common concerns and, hopefully still, common sense to see past our difference and reach our common goals.I am writing this series because I think America is forgetting many stories it once knew about itself. Worse, many of the stories being told now are distortions with little or no moral value. Instead of good stories that bring us together, uplift us, and make us proud we have the mass media telling the stories and whose goal is to sell advertising or make a profit. So many people I know are ashamed to be American because they disagree with the dominant flavour of government at the time. In President Clinton’s day my conservative friends were disappointed and outraged that he would allow his personal scandal to scar the reputation of America. Today my liberal friends are just as shamed and angered at President Bush’s actions in Iraq and his handling of domestic issues.

Somewhere along the way we lost our pride, patriotism and unity as the American people. How many liberals and conservatives think America should be divided into two nations by Red and Blue states? “Divide and conquer,” they say in war. We have been divided, and we are being conquered by ourselves. I am often cynical myself, but somehow I always remain patriotic and true to my idea of America. In reality is we have more in common than we have differences. We still have common concerns and, hopefully still, common sense to see past our difference and reach our common goals.

I am trying to put these ideas in your head. I’m trying to give simple stories that hopefully remind people of what it sometimes means to be American. If you have ideas for more of these leave a comment and let me know. Stories, events, people, places… Whatever inspires you to be proud to be an American despite all the bad things.

I am not the best writer in the world, but I will try to give voice to your voice.

List of articles in this series:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six