The American Way

I often hear people talk about the “American Way”. Whether it is in business, sports, entertainment or culture, there is an “American Way” in which all are entrenched. Have you ever thought about what the “American Way” is? I think it is different for every person but the overarching themes are the same. The themes of loyalty, scrappiness, bravery, comedy and patriotism are all associated with this phenomenon. Those are the big five I see in the “American Way”.

Loyalty

Being a loyal person is in every American because we come from a history of loyal citizens. Since our ancestors came to this nation, we have been loyal to each other. The exploitation of the colonies by King George III, in England, set the foundation for this loyalty and kept Americans together thru a Revolutionary War where we were against the odds, a Civil War that almost broke this country in two permanently, two world wars and a cold war. We are loyal to our families, our friends, and above all to our country, a country that values loyalty and awards it more than any country in the world.

Scrappiness

Americans have always been scrappy. We were the underdog and we root for the underdogs in a lot of situations. Fighting a Revolutionary War against the greatest nation in the world at the time, England, and defeating them against all odds. Then as a starter nation that was doomed to fail and not recognized by the great nations of the World. Then as a Great Depression ripped through our country and then another World War that took many American lives. Still we fight the odds of climbing out of a recession that has knocked us to our core. Americans keep going strong. We keep going to work and making the next day better than the last.

Bravery

Bravery is etched into our history with names like Washington, Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Wilson, Roosevelt, Kennedy, Reagan and Obama. It takes bravery to fight to forge a country and throw off their oppressors. It takes bravery to bring a country back together while fighting a civil war that will tear it apart. It takes bravery to steady a nation at war with the world. It takes bravery to look down the barrel of a nuclear war and not blink. It takes bravery to declare to Gorbachev to, “tear down this wall”. And it takes bravery to hear everyone tell you that it cannot be done and prove them wrong with a smile. Bravery is in our blood, from the wars we have fought to the NYPD and NYFD personnel that saved lives at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. We are steadfast in our bravery to leave this nation better for future generations of Americans.

Comedy

Laughter makes America great. We are a culture of laughter and comedy and we value and honor comedic talent. Americans have always had this unmatched quality of laughing it off and finding the humor in any situation. Great American comedians like Jackie Gleason, Richard Pryor, Jerry Seinfeld, and Dave Chappelle have all lend their voices and talents to make a rainy day seem sunny with their wit and humor. We are a sarcastic and slap stick community and we value that in a way that no other country does. We can poke fun at ourselves because we are comfortable in our own skin and we can take it.

Patriotism

Patriotism is defined as ones love for their country. In the dictionary there should be a picture of the American flag next to the word patriotism. Traveling the country you see the American flag everywhere, homes, churches, businesses, and hospitals. If you talk to the people about any current event in National news you will get heated opinions because of our love for this country and our hope for a brighter tomorrow. This patriotism is always on display but it takes tragedies to make its presence known. After the attack on Pearl Harbor and the attacks on September 11, 2001 you saw the country come together and live together, as one. We are united and strong and live the values of patriotism to the United States of America daily.

America is in its sixth decade as the world’s ultimate super power and the future is murky to see. As long as America holds on to the “American Way” of doing things our future should be fine. Hold on to the values that have shaped this nation into a refuge for poor, battered souls from the world over. As the Statue of Liberty says, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Americans live with loyalty, scrappiness, bravery, comedy, and patriotism daily and it is reflected in the power and might of the United States of America.

Matt