Autumn Olivia Beck
Winner of the Scottish Rite
Americanism Essay Contest
"One nation under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." This one sentence recited to conclude the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag may at first seem like just a clever combination of patriotic words used to end our pledge with a bang. However, if you look carefully at this sentence, you will see that it is much more than that. This sentence sums up all of my feelings for the wonderful country in which we live. This sentence is what America means to me, and it reminds me that it is my civic responsibility to uphold the beliefs that this country was founded on.
However, not only did the states combine to form one, but have continued to stay one country. In a time of country breakups, separations, and political disorder, the United States has remained one unified nation. Our country has proven that we are indivisible through the Civil War and the threat of secession. We have proven that we are indivisible through war, depression, scandal, death, and prosperity. This is also my civic responsibility, to make sure that this country continues to be one, and remain one nation under God, indivisible.
I could not imagine a day where I could not choose the church I attend and take advantage of my freedom of religion. I could not imagine a day where I could not pick up a paper and read a story that is uncensored and take advantage of the freedom of the press. I could not imagine a day that after turning eighteen I could not march down to the polls and choose my candidate and take advantage of my freedom to vote.
This is my largest responsibility to the United States. I know that if I do not stand up for my freedoms they could be taken away. I know that it is my responsibility to keep this nation one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty.
Our citizens enjoy the utmost of due process through our appeal system. We believe in protecting our honest citizens by punishing those convicted and by acquitting those who are innocent. This is one of the most important responsibilities I possess. It is my responsibility as a juror, a future lawyer, and judge to maintain the judicial system that we have. I will make sure that we stay one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice.
We all have equal protection of the law and the same rights and responsibilities. We are all free to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This was once a problem in our country, but we Americans realized that it was our responsibility to stop the discrimination in our country and we did. We worked to keep this one nation under God, with liberty, and justice for all. This is America, and to me it is my civic responsibility to uphold these beliefs, values, and freedoms. This is a responsibility that I will accept and use to better this great country. I love the country I live in, and I do not want to see it fall. It is up to me to make sure that it stays the great country that it is today.
The above article appeared in the June-July 1994 issue of the The Scottish Rite Outlook, Valley of Pensacola, Florida.