What is America?

I am sure this question have been asked many a times since the most recent Presidential elections ended. Answer to this question was lot easier to explain before the current administration came to the power. Now, answering this question in the midst of nationalist chants is understandably, very difficult.

For me America is not only a country, it’s an idea. An idea of freedom, an idea of achieving the impossible, an idea of giving opportunity to all, an idea of no one is above the law. One does not need to have grown up in America in order to appreciate what America is. Unfortunately, the greatness of this idea has lately been tarnished to achieve small time political gains. America is too often criticized for its actual and perceived shortcomings. But critics seem incapable of appreciating America’s exceptionalism including its multiculturalism. This was the brilliance of the founding fathers of this great nation. They understood very well that freedom, (both political and economic) was the fundamental element of a successful nation. They gave us a Constitution that would allow the American people to pursue and achieve happiness, irrespective of their background, and in the process build a nation that would flourish to become a beacon of hope throughout the world.

Seems like the events of the last couple of months have made America a prisoner of its past. But whether you are from southern states or western, whether you like country music or hip hop, America is more than anything a place where people believe in freedom. They feel like they have the power to make their lives better and impact the world around them. That’s real freedom… the ability to decide what you want to make of your life and the opportunity to go out and do it.

As the summer ends and political elite is busy igniting another crisis, we should remember and be thankful for the freedom which we so often take for granted.