Zach+home

What Does It Really Mean To Be American? 


"This is the story of America. Everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do." --Jack Kerouac "On The Road"

"America's greatest strength, and its greatest weakness, is our belief in second chances, our belief we can always start over, that things can be made better." --Anthony Walton

" The genius of the United States is not best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or colleges, or churches, or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors, but always most in the common people." -Walt Whitman

America

Although she feeds me bread of bitterness, And sinks into my throat her tiger's tooth, Stealing my breath of life, I will confess I love this cultured hell that tests my youth! Her vigor flows like tides into my blood, Giving me strength erect against her hate. Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood. Yet as a rebel fronts a king in state, I stand within her walls with not a shred Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer. Darkly I gaze into the days ahead, And see her might and granite wonders there, Beneath the touch of Time's unerring hand, Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.  "There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure" --Dwight D. Eisenhower [|Reflection (1)] What Does It Mean To Be Successful in America?
 * Claude McKay **