Many come to America for a new start and a new way of life, with the mindset that anything is possible with hard work and determination. As a nation of immigration and diversity, others come here for one singular purpose and that is for a better future, not only for themselves but for future generations.
When it comes to the American creed, we have many different beliefs and opinions on what it means to be an American. However, putting aside our differences and accepting each other in spite of our differences and allowing them to bring us together, is an integral part of being a true American. Words, symbols and rituals are another important part in the making of America. Through these, we express our patriotism and stand together as a united front. Our ability to unify and stand together during tough and troubled times is what separates America from other nations.
Words that Express the American Creed
When we think of America, these powerful words such as unity, hope, and democracy all come to mind. Words such as opportunity and drive easily relate to the American creed because it can be relatable to many people. We all have a chance to work for the life that we want and this aspiration of achieving our dreams unifies us. However, there are words that not only help us to come together but can also divide us as a nation. “In god we trust”, these four words hold a deep meaning to many Americans. It is found on all of our currency and is a phrase that many will recite when feeling lost.
This phrase gives Americans a sense of unity and encourages people to come together for the greater good and to trust in god, but this isn’t always the case for many Americans who identify as agnostic or atheist. Although God is the foundation that America’s ideals and principles were built on, many people do not agree with the idea of putting all of their trust into a god that they do not believe in. This phrase causes a division being that people have the freedom to choose what they believe in. This statement opposes those who do not believe in God and is oftentimes disputable for people with differing belief systems and religions. And even though court cases have been held for the removal of this phrase on our currency, the supreme court ruled against the removal because it is a phrase that is foundational to how America came to be.
Symbols that Express the American Creed
There are a number of symbols that represent the American Creed, and these representations of objects and concepts allow us to explore relationships between things and ideas in ways otherwise impossible. The American flag symbolizes an important characteristic of our country, democracy and is included in the American Creed, stating “a government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
The flag has three colors, white, red and blue. According to WorldAtlas, white stands for purity and innocence, the red for hardiness and valor, and the blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice. The flag depicts the American creed because it is shown everywhere in the United States, in schools, courtrooms and public spaces (Sawe, 2019).
The second symbol is the Statue of Liberty, that was given to the U.S. by the french and was built in 1875. The light torch symbolizes enlightenment and also signifies the way to freedom by showing us the path to liberty.
According to an article by USA Today, “Her tiara has seven spikes to represent the Seven Seas and the seven continents of the world. In the decades that followed her creation, she became a potent symbol of freedom and hope to millions of immigrants seeking refuge and opportunity in America.” The chains and shackles at her feet, represents America breaking the chains of tyranny and accepting democracy as a viable form of government and her tablet represents a book of law (Bigler, 2018).
The third emblem that stands as a national symbol of the U.S. is the bald eagle, representing great strength and longevity. When people think about America, the bald eagle is known as the main symbol for freedom, courage and strength. According to WorldAtlas, “The bird appears on the obverse side of the Great American Seal. The bald eagle is depicted holding 13 arrows on its left legs and a branch of olive on its right leg. The 13 arrows represent the original colonies, and the olive represents the country’s desire for peace and its readiness for war” (Sawe, 2019).
Rituals that Express the American Creed
Each country has a certain ritual or ceremony that represents who they are and America is no different. Because America is known as the “Melting Pot”, it’s hard to state just one ritual that every American participates in, but one. The pledge of allegiance is an important and well known ritual that Americans perform to demonstrate faithfulness. As a young child you are taught to stand up, put your hand over your heart and proudly recite this pledge. This ritual has been taught to every person that has been born in the United States of America, and to every person that enters the United States. When reciting this pledge, you are making a promise to stay faithful to your country.
It is also a sign of respect we pay to all the men and women who have lost their lives fighting for our country, while we enjoy the freedom and protection that their sacrifice offers. The Pledge of Allegiance explains that our country provides us with many opportunities and liberties and that we are one united nation that must work together in order to thrive and prosper, reinforcing the American Creed.
Conclusion
There are many symbols and words that either define us or divide us as a country. As a nation we have the right and freedom to choose what we believe symbolize and represents the American Creed. These symbols unify us rather than divide us and help us understand that beyond our differences, we are one.
References
Bigler, Sarah. “What the Statue of Liberty Symbolizes”. Leaf Group. USA TODAY. 2018.
Sawe, E. Benjamin. “List of American Symbols”. WorldAtlas. 2019.
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/list-of-american-symbols.html
