America- In Defense of a Dream

It was more of an experiment than anything; a tampering with various photos of earth and man, the innocuous trialing of film editing. There was no eager intention to make a statement or evoke an emotional release; all that may be felt is merely an unintentional derivative. The initial reaction of mine was to discount any consequent connotation and condemn the piece to the dwellings of feathery patriotic idioms, as something to be contained in the endless messages riddled with ethereal American pride and simplistic if not trite homage to a homeland and an indefinite ideal. Chain letters... chain letters most foul.

I would be quick to dismiss it, but something averts my self-detachment. Something holds me fast to this fanatical ultra-nationalism. The instinctive cynicist and realist in me quickly scoffs and points out the numerous flaws and failures; the oft detached and callous citizenry, the pony show of public appointment, the disregard for collective country past, present, and future. Our claims to unspoiled liberty and equality fracture in the face of veracity's blows. Yet, I am still seized by an intention deeper than an instantaneous reaction to write off the display of unadorned communal identity. I want to keep dreaming... this dream of ambitious traitors.

We were branded the great governmental experiment, destined to disintegrate in our own dissension. Imperialistic Europe jeered our fledgling nation while in the throes of self-formation only to see us the savior from the waves of fascist tyranny. Our formation had no real outline; we lacked any blueprint for a people's administration. Though commonplace now, the model of Lincoln's government of, by and for the populace shook the cages of conventional rule centuries ago. Through the mist of creation a system that defies classification has emerged. We are constitutional, we are democratic, we are a Republic.

The idealistic picture of the United States is not reached in our true existence. It is an achievement that will, most likely, never come to fruition. The outcry of criticism often follows this realization that flawlessness eternally dangles just out of reach. But the naysayers have existed perhaps as long as times itself, the byproduct of the recognition of this fallen world. However, what if America's greatness derives itself not from her perfection, but from her subtle, yet constant pursuit of this perfection? I do not wish to delineate the everyday actions of patriotism, but simply to take from its definition as love of country and the consistent aspiration for its betterment.

The depictions of the film reflect our nation's identity, the contents of mountains, rivers, cities and plains, even more so, we as individuals are America. The denigration of our present state may be based in fact and uttered with the intention of positive resolution, but its existence endangers the common nationalism, the adhesive of our common taxonomy. For when negativity leads to division, it erodes our patriotic core and as with the great civilizations of old, we will inexorably decay into oblivion. This is not a fruitless call to obscure reality in a flag colored tint, but merely a forewarning against an endless doubt and suggestion that our better days are ceaselessly to come. Our nation beseeches us to recall her prominence, to reverie for her eternal continuation, to learn from the past, labor for the present, look to the future... and more than anything, keep dreaming.

"There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America." -Bill Clinton

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• America
• History
• Patriotism
• United
• States
• Nationalism

[ultimo3307]

This is a very nice video and the music was special however, with another 300 million people expected by the end of this century, with the shifting demographics, etc. changes are inevitable and from my perspective for the worse--more pollution, more joblessness, more crime, more poverty, more extinction of species, less food, declining natural resources, etc. America may still be here or not. Maybe it will be Estados Unidos del Norte or Mexico Norte.

[INEXANOpictures]

You're right in that America is facing some big challenges in its future and the many uncertainties can produce a Malthusian-like pessimism for the future. But I would ask how often in the American history in which our country has not faced great challenges? Did we not survive perhaps the bloodiest civil war in modern history, two World Wars, and numerous economic collapses? Not only did we survive, but we would continue to thrive and improve despite every new internal and external roadblock.

[dennisthapa]

also, what song is used here?

[INEXANOpictures]

Thanks, that means a lot. I do have a blog, which is the entire reason why I posted this video. Although, not all of my posts are as... "intensive" or "intelligent," I'd love some feedback. The song is from the "October Sky" soundtrack.

[INEXANOpictures]

The blog is "brianhatesblogs[dot]blogspot[­dot]com"

[BrillyGracey]

Wow. Powerful.

[Bulhakas]

This video fails to portray the only part of America that really matters: Wall Street and the swine who atop its towers.

[dennisthapa]

The description on the right may be one of the best written essays i have read on the the subject of american identity. do you have anymore, or a blog?? do you write regularly?