Availability of Opportunities in America - Essay Example

Opportunity Every new day is an opportunity, a new day present a chance to make new achievements and at the same time make changes where necessary. As human being we will never be complete and therefore each passing second present as with a chance and opportunity to shape and our lives to the desired levels and hence the world. As students, we have bigger roles and responsibilities not only to ourselves but also to the entire community. As American students we have bigger roles since the country and the society over expects from us. The country has global responsibilities and therefore the responsibilities and expectations of American students extend beyond the national boundaries. Success does not depend on how hard a person works but how appropriate a person works. Opportunities therefore present us with chance to work appropriately in order to meet our objectives and responsibilities. This essay will therefore discuss the availability of opportunities in America with emphasis on American students. As a country, America started with the American dream that was initiated by the great pioneers and founders of the nation. Through the American dream, the country has been able to achieve its current success and global position. Working towards a sustainable nation was part of the American dream that has helped the country attains its global position as the most prosperous nation and the country with the strongest economy. How much the country has lived the dream is questionable due to the current economic difficulties experienced in the country (Colombo, Cullen, & Lisle, 1992). These economic difficulties not only affect the country but also the entire world since America is a symbol of global economy. Americans and specifically the American students have the chance to prove to the world that America is capable of living the American dream. Currently there are numerous opportunities for the people and specifically the students to make this reality. Presently the country is recovering from a financial crisis and it is a concern to the government and the world. The recession presents an excellent opportunity to American students to defend the American dream. Knowledge is strength; students have acquired a lot of knowledge from their school and education. Although most of this knowledge is theoretical, students have the ability to utilize this knowledge to solve the current financial problem. Finding a solution to the recurring financial crisis is important to the country’s economy as well as the global economy and hence an opportunity for the American people. America is not only reorganized globally for its strong economy but the country is also considered as a symbol of democracy. When interpreted, democracy means respecting basic human rights and observing civil liberties. Due to the level of democracy that existed in the country, people have been blindfolded that America is a democratic country. Although the country’s democracy is incomparable to the state of democracy in most countries American, democracy is still far away from perfection. Most American however considers America to be a wholly democratic country and they have no any doubt about their thinking. The historical existence of democracy in the country has brainwashed the people into believing the country’s democracy is in a perfect state. Recent events such as allegations of torture have raised doubts on the state of democracy in the country. These allegations present an excellent opportunity for the American to rethink about the democratic state of the country. This will not only be an opportunity for them to bring democracy in America but it will be an opportunity to restructure the definition and implication of democracy in the world. Rethinking about American democracy will also be an opportunity to eliminate the traditional thinking among Americans. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attack remains as an unforgettable event in the country’s history. During this day the level and extent to which human cruelty can reach was demonstrated through a terror attack. The events that followed from the attacks are however of great concern to Americans and the entire world. Following this attack America became a war nation. Every measure or policy made by the federal government was meant to fight terrorists. This created the debate of individual privacy vs. national security that has remained to be a controversial debate. Although ensuring national security is an important responsibility of the government, the government has taken its fight against terrorism to the extreme end. Most of these fights have ended up on people’s doorsteps making them victims. Traditionally America has never been defeated in any battle and the country is not ready to let this go. However, due to the cost that the country incurs from the endless fight against terrorism the country should consider losing this battle in order to win the fourth coming battles. American people have the opportunity to demonstrate to the country and the world that civil liberties and democracy are beyond national security. Issues of national seciurity and individual freedom have been of great concern to me as a student. I have always had a dream of touring the Middle East since I joined elementary school. I had planned this tour immediately after completing my high school education and I had always looked forward to the day. My dreams however were brought to a standstill when I was denied an opportunity to visit the country on security basis. This made me to rethink about the importance of personal freedoms and the right to make personal choices. The issues also made me to rethink about the opportunities we have to reshape the country and the entire world. Chapter two of the book rereading America talks about the myth of education and empowerment. Education is strength and hence empowerment. Although this is a reality, the issue hold true is people put some effort or add some value to education. Application of education is the only way that we can add value to education (Colombo, Cullen, & Lisle, 1992). This aspect of value addition will make the people to realize the need to restructure the traditional American thinking. It will also enable the people to visualize the effects of a brainwashed society. Finally, it will enable the people particularly the students to visualize the available opportunity that can enable them change the world through changing America. People should consider challenges as opportunities to change the country and the entire world. Recent events such as terrorism, economic meltdown represent the current challenges facing the country however, through such challenges we have opportunities. According to the book rereading America, Americans have been brainwashed into believing that the country has achieved perfection and I concur with the idea. Changing people’s mentality is a challenge as well as an opportunity to the people. Reference Colombo, G., Cullen, R., & Lisle, B. (1992). Rereading America: Cultural contexts for critical thinking and writing. Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martins Press. Read More