Words, Symbols, and Rituals that Express the American Creed

Introduction

Most people consider America as the land of the free, and a country that gives it’s natural-born citizen and immigrants an opportunity. Regardless of their differences, citizen also share factors that unit them.There are several words, symbols, or rituals that convey American creed but can also cause division and start problems. Terms such as “opportunity” or “ freedom”, symbols such as the American flag, and rituals such as the holiday of “Thanksgiving” and procedures of citizenship are all a part of shaping America.

Words

Justice is just one of several things in this country that people have battled towards. Specifically, to be equal and to be granted the same privileges and opportunities as their fellow citizens regardless of the color of their skin. In particular, it is significantly harder for African American citizens to have equal rights and opportunities than it is for white people. While slavery has terminated, many representatives from the era of segregation still progressed through history, including the lack of justice and equality for all. This sometimes creates friction within citizens when it is discussed by the public because this is such a complex and complex topic that people often misinterpret. Not everybody understands why this is such a dilemma. Yet for someone who is confronted with any of these problems, they are the people who speak about it. The most privileged people in America are often white, which further demonstrates that they are not confronted with problems that result from equality or less opportunity. Thus makes some of these individuals unaware and sometimes ignorant of this problem, which contributes to division and turmoil.

When most people think of America, they immediately think of the multitude of possibilities open to them. While certain people are granted more, many of those who immigrated to this country consider it way more than the various disadvantages they been subjected to in their past country. There are much more possibilities for schooling, employment, electricity, clean drinking water than several other countries. According to the article titled The Integration of Immigrants into American Society (2015) states “Americans have offered opportunities to immigrants and their children to better themselves and to be fully incorporated into U.S. society, and in exchange, immigrants have become Americans — embracing an American identity and citizenship, protecting the United States through service in its military, fostering technological innovation, harvesting its crops, and enriching everything from the nation’s cuisine to its universities, music, and art.” Many immigrants can agree on the fact that America is the land of opportunity.

Symbols

A very significant emblem that symbolizes solidarity is the national flag of the United States. It is a powerful depiction of liberty, freedom, and power. “The stripes represent the original 13 Colonies and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice”(PBS, para 7). It is also possible to recognize the Confederate flag as a big part of the American creed. The Confederate flag is a symbol of the civil war in America when in 1860–61 the southern states’ governments seceded from the Union, carrying on all the affairs of a separate nation and fighting a major war until the spring of 1865 was defeated. One of the main symbols causing uproar is the Confederate flag.

Rituals

Almost all of the time, rituals are celebrated. Some of these rituals will initiate controversy and others can bring about peace. Some are even held yearly. Ceremonies such as Thanksgiving are held in November every year. Thanksgiving is an American tradition and the purpose of it is to be thankful for the opportunities you have. The many different dishes that are served and put families together are the highlight of this celebration. Other rituals may cause controversy, such as citizenship ceremonies. This is opposed by some native-born Americans because they have strong feelings about immigrants coming to America. The believe that come to America to take their jobs or rely on the welfare system. Typically this is never the case, every immigrant has their migration motives, some move because of strict laws in their nations, and some move to reunite with family. The American Creed can be defined by words, symbols, and rituals. It sometimes can be controversial, but all of these things are the foundation of America.

Works cited

“Read ‘The Integration of Immigrants into American Society’ at NAP.edu.” National Academies Press: OpenBook, www.nap.edu/read/21746/chapter/2.

PBS. “History of the American Flag.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 18 Sept. 2020, www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/history/old-glory/.