American Life: Photo
Perspective
Jacob Roberts
Regarding my life at Maryville
College, despite many of my perennial complaints, I always have a feeling of
overwhelming respect and appreciation for this institution that overrides my
gripes. I am the 17th member
of my family to attend Maryville College, so perhaps I have some extra
reverence for this place because of that.
I think it is difficult to argue that the campus is beautiful in
appearance and venerable in its traditions- and the mature and admirable
conduct of its faculty and staff that make this a nice place to come to school.
In thinking about my American life,
something that stands out is the American obsession with guns, violence, and
action. I think this photo of Chuck
Norris encapsulates those sentiments quite nicely. Our country, not unlike many others, was
founded by radical action by an armed and enraged group that took a decisive
stand. Our country seems to venerate the
tradition of action and force of arms- for better or worse.
In identifying the distinguishing
characteristics of the American life, the spirit of the American “Wild West” is
as loud, proud, and prolific in our current country as it was in the
1800s. The cutthroat, self-made lifestyle
and freedom of the days of the Wild West sculpt our current political and
cultural landscape in a big way. See
also: Rugged Individualism.
Speaking of rugged individuals:
Teddy Roosevelt. What I admire about
this man and what I think makes him relevant as a descriptor of American
society today is that I feel he embodied living freely and independently in the
best possible ways. He set about his
life with exuberance and decision, but with thoughtfulness and prudence. I think he struck a good balance for himself,
a balance I hope dearly for in my country today.
It’s America’s
game and it’s awesome and brings everyone together!
Americans have
always been innovative and influential thinkers, creators, philosophers, and
visionaries. Even today as our country
struggles with a culture of anti-intellectualism (perhaps a casualty of our
veneration of the common man and rugged individualism), I still see a great
wisdom in our people as a whole.
This photo of
Armstrong on the moon really defines for me an American obsession with pushing
the limits of the conventional and possible- and defines an essential part of
the American spirit.
Since the
inception of our country, we have debated amongst ourselves as Americans not
only how important our freedom really is, but what our freedom really even
means. Lincoln’s vision of freedom for
Americans won out through the Civil War- but the competing visions of freedom
that caused that conflict are still entrenched in our country today.
We’re
all insanely different in America- and I believe this is our greatest and most
unique strength.
This campus and
this country share a nobility and sincerity of ideals that I think is
incredible, truly unique, and powerful in its own right.
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