"I had come to a conclusion about my country that I knew then in my bones but lacked the courage to act on: America is good enough to die for even when she is wrong" (My Losing Season by Pat Conroy).
The moment I read this quote, I felt an unusual feeling towards America. As a liberal and open-minded kid with no true experience with war, it is easy for me to look down on America for all the wrongs and injustice within her. However, after reading this quote, I no longer put that blame on America. Instead, I saw a soldier fighting for her people, even though she is bleeding and full of scars. I am patriotic towards my country; however, I do not realize how lucky I am to be an American citizen compared to living in another country. I see my rights as fundamental and irrefutable, but in many nations, man's most basic rights are not taken into consideration or given freely. I chose this passage because it moved me, as an American, to be grateful for my country and not see her scars as evil and violent, but marks of perseverance and change.
Earlier this week I wrote that, although I will patriotically stand during the Pledge of Allegiance or National Anthem, I do not object to other citizens sitting. I felt this way because I thought that some citizen's rights were not being protected by our country and that they could justly not show America respect if she didn't respect them. After reading this passage, I no longer so vehemently agree to my past sentiments. I believe that despite rough parts in history, America has given her citizens a life more free than one could receive elsewhere. In addition, it is the freedom that America grants her citizens that allows people to object to standing during the Pledge of Allegiance. I now believe that America rightly deserves respect, even when a citizen is not happy with the American government, because at least life's most fundamental rights are protected by the thousands of men and women who risked their lives for yours.
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