jo425
San Francisco, CA

jo425 Hi, I’m a female who believes in defending human rights and in social equality. Through words, community service, and action, I believe that everybody deserves a voice, and that includes youth, women, and minorities.

Our student government was distributing American flags “Made in Taiwan” after a Peace Rally, and when I asked a friend, who I’ve known to be active in politics what she thought, she responded with, “I don’t have to prove my patriotism.” I thought over what she said for days, and she’s right. I’m happy to be an American, but now all of a sudden everybody’s patriotic? No. I’ve been patriotic my whole life, and being an American is what I still am. What I am concerned about is U.S. reaction and infringe-ment upon civil liberties. Taking away basic rights of Americans is not a solution; By doing so, you are taking away everything that America stands for. I don’t want to see that happen.

RaiRae
Tempe, AZ

RaiRae Hey my name is really Rachel, but I like Rai better. I’m 15 and a sophomore in high school in Arizona. I like sports, especially track and I like cats and small dogs.

I thought it was kind of cool how (mostly) everyone came together as a nation after 9-11. Everywhere I looked flags were flying and people were wearing red, white, and blue. But, I guess, maybe flying a flag or wearing blue isn’t enough. Hey I grieved for those people who were killed, of course, I’ve had my own share of losses. I’m not saying rejoice about people being dead, but share the grief of others and help carry their weight. That’s what I would call patriotism. It builds everyone up. You know?

earache
Lexington, MA

What is truly terrifying is the extreme to which we have taken our patriotism. We now think of ourselves as a great nation, and our national tragedy has pulled more news stories than the AIDS epidemic in Africa, than the slave trade still existing, than the wrongdoings the U.S. has committed against so many, have together. The U.S. has done a lot of good and many ills, just as any nation. I could go on forever ranting, but that won’t do any good. We are, as a whole, a fortunate people and a fortunate nation. I am sorry for all of the lives lost. I am sorry it took so much to wake people up. But I do not think people have waken up enough. We still don’t value the democracy we’re allowed to live in half as much as we should. We live here to be able to live with freedom. Yet most of us don’t vote. I love the U.S. for many things. I despise it for many others. But I love all people, any people. I am sorry for those who died and those who know any who died. But I am also sorry for those who killed them, and for the state the world has been driven to for things like this to happen.

earache They worship the same god. Most of the rest of us abide by the same rule of thumb: peace. It’s not as simple as that, I know, but I wish it

Pintozo
New York, NY

Its amazing how people feel if they purchase an American flag (something that business have made so much money off) and stick it out their window that magically it makes them patriotic. Ever since we have started this “war against terror” I must say that I have never been more sad to be an American.

Pintozo I am a 17 year old male that attends an alternative high school. Since 9.11 I have become an activist in many fields

kalidah
Carthage, MO

kalidah I’m Kalidah, age 14. My first young adult novel was published last spring, and I am currently writing an adult novel. I have also published six books of poetry, and numerous essays and critical works. My favorite poet is Edna St. Vincent Millay, and my favorite prose authors are Pearl S. Buck and Jessamyn West. I dislike being categorized or accused by people who don’t understand my beliefs, but on the whole, it is fairly difficult to offend me; I like hearing all viewpoints as long as people are respectful. My hobbies include playing the piano and ukulele, learning languages, and studying Thai history. I converted to Islam last year; I am passionate about working for peace in the Middle East and ending the “war on terrorism”. I don’t think it is ever right to kill innocent people. I am long-winded, very opinionated/ emotional/ intense...and often found to be offensive. Wonder why? :)

I think the outpouring of patriotism and support is wonderful. Clearly the best has come out in ordinary Americans in the past 7 months. However, the worst has also appeared. Patriotism and unity are no excuse for blindly following everything the president says merely because he is the commander in chief. Nor should America-haters refuse to see any good in this nation. Both extremes are very wrong. We must keep our individuality, and not let ours-elves be swept up in the desire for revenge-- especially against people who had nothing to do with the attacks. Arabs, Muslims, and even Sikhs have been the victims of hate crimes; as many as ten thousand innocent people have been killed by US military action in Afghanistan. I do not deny the reality of war. There has always been war and will always be. But we must not let realism stand in the way of working toward what’s right. Morality should never fall by the way side. If we let that happen, we are just as bad as the terrorists themselves: in fact, we become their allies of a sort, by giving them exactly what they want, which is to destroy our integrity and values. Standing up for our freedoms should not take the form of aggression. There is no justification for an attack like Sept. 11th, but there are legitimate reasons for people to be very angry at the United States, especially its foreign policies. Americans, we have climbed too far on an unstable limb, and we are bringing the whole of the world down with us. Let’s build a stronger, better and more peaceful tomorrow through justice, respect and true enduring freedom.

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