Clarissa Blanco Blog #1: What Makes a Nation?

           After hours of grueling deliberation, meditation, and of course- procrastination, I still can't seem to put my finger on exactly what makes a nation. Instead, I've come up with this small list that pinpoint a few things I feel a nation SHOULD be comprised of and stand for/withhold:

1. Goals

2. Religion (or lack of it)

3. Unity (or lack of it)

4. Pride

5. Endurance

6. Hardwork

7. Accomplished

8. Equal

 Though my list is quite mediocre, it has helped me further question what a nation, America in particular,  is really made of. Here's what I came up with: A group of people striving collectively for success, in every definition it is believed to be described by. While every point of my list can be used to describe an ideal nation, it's important to remember that not one nation is "ideal'' or could ever be. Yet, it's become evident that ever since our nation was founded, it's government and people has centered itself around the goal of getting to that "ideal" place. We're a nation that has goals, and tries to reach them by any means possible. We want to be #1, and no I'm not just talking about the government but about we, the people! Let's think about it...what fuels that student who's forever studying, hardworking, punctual, and more? The desire to be the best; and hey, I'm not saying the best is necessarily valedictorian of the class, but it can be best of their siblings, best in their family, best person they can possibly be! Same with the tired father waking up early for work everyday, or the person in your class that recently emigrated from another country to ours. It's hard to find one person that doesn't want to be somewhere that they describe "better than" where they are at that moment. I believe that, no matter what our present state is as a nation, we still try our best to work underneath a common law that recognizes humanity as unique and in its differences, tries to enforce equality.

                  Today was an unforgettable day in history. A day in which our president answered this very question himself in his inaugural speech. According to Mr. President, the purpose of a nation is to "carry on what our pioneers began". What did our pioneers really begin? Their goal was to create a nation whose men were created equal with the right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness, amongst other goals. Has America stayed true to this goal? Has it, in the words of Obama, "safeguarded our creed"? One cannot say we see the fruits of this constitution bore in every interpretation of its promise, but I CAN say that we are still a nation that STRIVES for this to be true. While we are extremely divided, in politics especially, we cannot deny the extreme desire for success that occurs mostly because we are human.

                What makes a nation if it is not our capability to do better and be better? We recognize it never stops growing, and it is because of this that we KNOW we are part of a nation- WE never stop growing. We are constantly provided with reinforcing thoughts of the "ideal" state we all would like to someday reach. We are part of this nation, because whether we believe we can or not, we all see where we should be and try to get there- as long as it takes, or as hard as it is. And we CAN get "there". Where would YOU like to be?