2007 Voice of Democracy

Freedom’s Challenge

Greenville High School, Greenville, Pennsylvania

Freedom in America is challenged every day, even more since that awful day in September 2001 when we faced our greatest challenge in my lifetime – an attack right here on our own land. What we learned that day, or should have learned, is that our freedom can be challenged at any given moment – and we may never see it coming. We face the challenge of losing -- and keeping -- our freedom every time we breathe in air.

We saw in 2001 that we are not invincible. We found out in a very sad, horrible way that other countries we never expected are very capable and technologically advanced enough to find our weak spots and seek out ways to tear us apart.

But because of that day, we also found within ourselves a resolve to never let it happen again. We met the challenge. They wanted us to quit, to claim defeat. Well, Americans don’t back down. Challenge our freedom and we WILL defend it!

It is at this point in America’s history that freedom itself presents a challenge to us to protect it. We are making history as we live today. We must do everything IN OUR POWER to keep our freedom from becoming the target of others’ rage. Yet, every day there are even Americans themselves who challenge the freedoms of their fellow citizens.

For example, Dr. Michael Newdow, a Sacramento, California, physician, wanted to change our country’s Pledge of Allegiance because he didn’t believe God belongs there. He is an atheist who doesn’t want his daughter to have to recite such words in school, so he wants it taken away from everyone. One man challenged the freedom of all. Sound familiar? We cannot allow America to challenge itself or we will surely destroy ourselves. This is the challenge freedom extends to us – PROTECT ME! American freedoms guaranteed by its Constitution should not need to be protected from its citizens!

What makes me most proud of the results from 9-11 is that from the very first moment of impact on the towers, we faced the challenge presented to our freedom. We didn’t let "them" win. We picked ourselves up, met the challenge and kept our freedoms intact. America is a country of freedom fighters. We face challenges and challengers of all kinds who have many different reasons for wanting to take away our freedoms.

US President George W. Bush is noted as stating, "No nation can build a safer and better world alone." It was to this statement that the 66^th Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice responded, "We fully recognize that the hard work of freedom is the task of generations ... for the great mover of history is the power of the human spirit."

These words spoken by two powerful people in America reflect freedom’s challenge for our present time and in the future. These two American leaders recognize that the challenge of keeping America’s freedom intact and helping other countries get out from under the tyranny of dictatorship requires hard work, cooperation and dedication of all generations in all countries. They also recognize that we are up to the challenge.

The greater challenge facing our freedom is that it’s not just up to us. Other nations must see our freedom as a benefit to the survival of the entire world. America sets the example and we must continue to work on close relationships with other countries to build a strong force against those who challenge freedom. We also must keep working to help other countries gain freedom for themselves so that they can enjoy life as we do. We need to work together for the common good of all.

The world is different now. I am different. But no matter what challenges and fears our country faces every day, we must face them head on, because the one thing we must keep safe and secure is our freedom. I stated before that we face the challenge of losing -- and keeping -- our freedom every time we breathe in air. Thanks to our country’s commitment to protecting its freedoms, we can breathe easier.

By Renee Cantrell

Citizenship plays an important part in living in America. Examples of good citizenship are the way I support my country, the way I act, and the way I follow rights and laws.

          First, the way in which I support my country is a main point of citizenship. On January 21, 1921 my grandfather and his mother arrived on Ellis Island, New York City and became citizens of the United States. My grandfather previously resided in Veroli, Italy and boarded the passenger ship Patria to visit his new country at the age of seven. He became a citizen of the United States and agreed to follow the laws and to support his country. As citizens, we say the “Pledge of Allegiance” and sing the “National Anthem” to show our respect for America. When I become eighteen years old, I can vote for a president to play a part in democracy. I am proud of my beautiful country; the one and only United States of America!

          Consequently, the way I act is an important factor in being a good citizen. For example, when I am kind to my friends and accept their choices, my act of kindness shows them that I am respectful. Helping others and being thoughtful are just a few ways I display good citizenship.

 I also respect others and their differences and treat them the way that I would like to be treated. I always remember to be on my best behavior and do the right thing even if no one is watching.

          Lastly, citizenship gives me many Constitutional rights. For example, I have the right to follow any religion that I choose and the right to say what I want without getting ridiculed. In the past, before the United States Constitution was written, England ruled America. People in America were forced to worship whatever religion the King of England followed. Another freedom guaranteed in the Constitution is the freedom of speech. Freedom of speech ties in with freedom of the press which means any citizen has the right to publish any article or story as long as the information is true.

          In conclusion, many aspects of citizenship affect my life in America. By following some of the examples above, I can become a better citizen. Being a good citizen helps me to be a socially well-rounded person whom everyone respects.