Respect and Freedom: Imperative Civic Values of an American Citizen

888 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Importance of civic responsibilities

Imperative Civic Values of an American Citizen This essay is asking a very tough question. It wants to know what I believe is the most essential civic value of being an American. There are many civic values that are essential to being an American such as: Respecting our government, the sense of pride about being an American, Courage, Justice, Integrity, and Freedom. There are several values that stand out, these civic values include: Courage, Justice, Integrity, Respect and the one civic value that stands out the most is freedom. Courage is an essential part of being an American because courage defines the United States of America. US citizens have the courage to stand up for what we believe in, and the courage to follow public laws and insist that other people follow them too. Furthermore, even here at Louisiana High School, some students have the courage to resist those individuals who take the “easy way out”, which only leads to more corruption and probably red tape in our social systems. “The Founders displayed courage in issuing the Declaration of Independence, fighting the Revolutionary War, and framing a new form of republican government through the Constitution. (http://www.citizenbee.org/user/StudentGuide.aspx?id=630)” Another vital civic value that is often understated by many Americans is the fundamental concept of Justice. Daily, most Americans in schools around the United States recite the “Pledge of the Allegiance.” In this Pledge, one of the phrases we take for granted is the phrase,” With liberty and justice, for all.” The online definition of Justice is,” the quality of being just, righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness.” The quality of being Just can refer to many instances in everyday life for Amer... ... middle of paper ... ...ful government taking part. This freedom has allowed our nation to rise to the top over time and become a successful country. Many people who are not from American have stated how wonderful our country is because of the freedom that we posses. An extremely important document to put in force our freedom as Americans is the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights contains 27 amendments, the first ten being the original. The first amendment gives U.S. citizens: freedom of religion, freedom of speech and press, right to assemble, and the right to petition. This essay was asking what most essential values of being an American citizen are. Courage, Justice, Integrity, Respect and Freedom are the most essential civic values of being an American. To have these civic values is an important part of being an American. Every American citizen should put these values into practice.

Show More
Related

  • NT1330 Unit 4: Social Policy

    192 Words  | 1 Pages

    The social value that is most central to me is service. Service should be incorporated to policy, by the application of education and knowledge through serving the community at hand.

    Read More

  • Chasing Courage By Maya Angelou: One Of The Best Explanation Of Courage

    712 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the best explanations of courage is the following by Maya Angelou: “One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtues with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.” Her explanation summarizes all that courage can lead you to who you are in life. Courage is standing up for what you believe in, despite disapproval, pain, fear, uncertainty, or intimidation. Courage is challenging what is normal. Courage is giving voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. Courage is using whatever power available to educate the world about injustice. Courage is following your heart even when the path is not known. Courage is trying after failing.

    Read More

  • Concepts that Illustrate the Founding Principles of America

    1157 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...er yourself and station in life, having Inalienable rights which are basic God given rights of men commonly understood by all, and the least possible government being obviously the best option for a free nation. I hope that I was able to effectively express these three founding principles and how I feel they contributed to the founders’ vision and hope for America. Though I personally believe these principles are being threatened in America today they are also part of what makes this country the greatest in the world. Giving free people the opportunity to flourish by their own ideas and work, allowing them the protection of common sense law, and not stifling the growth, desire, or hope of this nation through an excess of democracy is in essence the most profound hope of our fore fathers and those that sacrificed to build this country to what it is a beacon of hope.

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of The United States Constitution

    1083 Words  | 3 Pages

    Citizenship is the fiber that unites all Americans. We are a nation connected not by race or religion, but by shared values of freedom, liberty, and equality. What does that exactly signify to the average American citizen? It indicates that several of us, including myself, have not only expressed several of our rights such as freedom to express ourselves, freedom to worship as we wish, voting in elections, serving on a jury or purchasing or owning a firearm but we aspire to protect those rights.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Thoreau's Definition Of Freedom

    1073 Words  | 3 Pages

    Freedom. This influential idea has lead many of people march to demand their freedoms. Whether that freedom be from Great Britain or slaves owners, many of American’s have marched for their rights. What is the definition of freedom? Freedom is defined as the power to act, speak, or think as one wants without opposition. Freedom is a part part of American culture. Some may even say that America’s very foundations were built off of freedom and the right to do as we wish with our lives. In the eighteen hundreds American Colonists were feeling the pressures of the British that would soon lead the the Revolutionary War and our freedom. Some people might consider this idea of freedom as radical and possibly way ahead of it’s time back then. But it

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On The First Amendment

    1303 Words  | 3 Pages

    The first amendment is the cornerstone of our American society founded years ago by our forefathers. Without the first amendment many ideas, beliefs, and groups could not exist today. The first amendment guaranteed the people of the United States the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of petition. Although the first amendment guarantees us, Americans the freedom of speech, we cannot use it to cause others harm. This amendment has helped shaped Americans into what we are today, because of our right to assemble, speak freely, and worship as we please.

    Read More

  • American Identity Essay

    948 Words  | 2 Pages

    Values some take for granted within this society today were ignored wholesale by a tyrannical colonial authority, and the people of this land rose up, shook off the chains of oppression, and set out to devise a new governmental system under which they could live rather freely. In his iconic “Four Freedoms” speech, America’s 32nd president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, outlined said values, stating that all should enjoy “freedom of speech and expression...freedom...to worship God in [their] own way” and “ a healthy peacetime life” (46). The importance of the concept of free speech and equality to the American identity cannot be understated, as it truly the foundation upon which much of this society rests. In the United states, it is instilled in us that from birth each human is bestowed with the same freedoms as all others. However, time and time again, people are denied these freedoms on the basis of skin color, religion, sexual orientation, or gender. Luckily, when such situations arise, the core belief that each and every person is owed liberty motivates the citizens of this nation to exercise their rights. With this in mind they speak out, or fight, against injustice, to take a further step towards making that dream of equality and a “healthy peacetime life” for all a

    Read More

  • free america

    408 Words  | 1 Pages

    liberties, the right to choose who will represent us to the rest of the world, and the freedom to

    Read More

  • The First Amendment

    1536 Words  | 4 Pages

    Since the early history of our country, the protection of basic freedoms has been very important to Americans. The American voice on freedom has been shaped throughout history. The Bill of Rights was originally drawn up in June, 1789. On December 15th, 1791, the Bill of Rights were ratified and added to the United States Constitution. James Madison said that a bill of rights was good for the “tranquility of the public mind, and the stability of the government” (Burgar, Michael, 2002). Free speech and free press were most important to the drafters of the Bill of Ri...

    Read More

  • How To Secure The Blessings Of Liberty

    612 Words  | 2 Pages

    Yet, still even with this, the American people still needed individual protection from the government. With this being said, the Bill of Rights was created to further protect the liberties of American citizens. The Bill of Rights is a list of ten amendments that would guarantee the rights of the people (Bill of Rights). This document was created to ensure the government did not get too much power, but current day it can be observed how the government is trying to clip away at these amendments, trying to convince the people that they are not necessary. This can be seen with the two most currently most debated amendments, the first and second (Discussing Controversial Topics). The First Amendment, as stated in the Bill of Rights, is as so, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the

    Read More

  • Values In Early American Literature

    1336 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ery beginnings of human life on this continent. The Native Americans upheld their religious and cultural beliefs even as other cultures threatened to take over. The first Pilgrims fought off religious and political persecution in their England to only come to America and slowly become the strong and independent country it would soon become. The revolutionists fought for the happiness of a young country that was being forced into submission. From America's humble and honest beginnings to the diverse and open country it is today these three core values have rung through. Life in America has changed greatly over the passing years. The people, places, and values had undergone an adventure like no other. Even now our values are as unique as the people who first settled here. Though the dream changes, its core values remain the same. I hold these truths to be self-evident.

    Read More

  • What Makes A Person American?

    1492 Words  | 3 Pages

    However, three of these main factors are, love for their country, freedom, and a desire to be successful. Love for one’s country was one of the basic building blocks of The United States, and although it is displayed differently, it still helps make a person an American. Freedom is also one of the basic building blocks of this nation. Without it we would not have many of the luxuries that we have today. It was this freedom that our founding fathers strived to achieve when creating the outline for this great nation for the first place. The last important factor that makes a person an American is a desire to be successful. Success comes in many different shapes and forms; it can mean many different things depending on the person that it affects. All of these three factors help, what I believe, make up the true American person. I want to end with amazing quote from President Harry Truman, “You know that being an American is more than a matter of where your parents came from. It is a belief that all men are created free and equal and that everyone deserves an even

    Read More

  • How to be a Good Citizen

    487 Words  | 1 Pages

    Every citizen in our society has the right to freedom and to be happy. In order to preserve that right to be happy, you must be a virtuous citizen and fulfill and promote civic rights.

    Read More

  • Simply American Values

    367 Words  | 1 Pages

    Many events, people, words, and documents can explain the simply american values of America but here are three phrases and words that best sum up America's values and principles. Creatively, perseverance, and the phase life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

    Read More

  • The Desire for Freedom and for Limitations on Freedom

    1719 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although our government has, many limitations on freedom these restrictions make it possible for us to be civilized. We are able to be free from slavery, and prejudices. Every human on this earth has the right to their opinions, freedom from oppression and a chance to prevail over limitations. Freedom is as desirable as limitations on freedom because with out both we would be at either end of the extreme. We would live either in complete chaos or in a police state. I am not saying that our system is immaculate, but is the best we can do, given the circumstances.

    Read More

More about Respect and Freedom: Imperative Civic Values of an American Citizen

Open Document