Blog #6 - Is America a "City On a Hill?"

     During our class discussion on some of Walt Whitman's Song of Myself poems, we had a discussion about what Whitman was trying to say about America and its morals. One question posed during our discussion was, "What is America?"

     But that question lead to me another question... Is America considered a "city on a hill?" Are the eyes of other countries upon us? Why or why not? President John F. Kennedy returned to that phrase during one of his speeches, but is it still true today? 

     Our country has had its fair share of problems, some of which led to wars. For the most part, we have overcome those predicaments. In World War I, we shed American blood on foreign soil. We did not go into World War II for personal gain, but to defend our beloved country. During the Cold War, we stepped in to help other countries become free and prosperous nations, like ourself. We, as Americans, are known for our pride and confidence in our country. We are known to help others not of our own nation, and we are known to be peaceful and God-fearing. But what can be said of those qualities today?

     I personally believe that our claim to be a "city on a hill" is no longer an accurate one. Here's a few reasons why: 

1. Prayer is being taken out of public schools. We've always been a country of free religion, but if we can't practice our religion in schools, then are we really free to worship when and wherever we please? 
2. A good portion of our country is against equality for all. We claim to be a country where you can be who you want to be and that everyone has equal rights, but that's not so either. So many people in the LGBT still don't have rights to marriage and are tortured and looked down upon.
3. Our country is divided. That was evident in the most recent presidential election. Our country is split right down the middle when it comes to party platforms. If our country is so divided, then how can we be united? When almost half the country is red and half is blue, how do we meet in the middle from here? 
4. After the results of the election this year, many people posted on Twitter or Facebook that they were going to leave the country. What kind of pride is that? People are becoming disappointed in their own country. If so many people are willing to get up and leave because of the man in office, then how can they claim to be Americans? 

     Those are only a few examples. As author Bill Kneer puts it, our country should really be called "America - The Decaying City Upon a Hill." Eyes are still upon our nation, but not in a good way. Hopefully in time, we as a UNITED nation can overcome these differences and come out stronger, just like we always have in the past.