Since the presidential election all you see is change and more change. The nation has had an urgent need for change because of our new president, Barack Obama. You can really see change in people’s attitudes around the country and how they portray themselves as Americans.
People are now actually proud to be American, a label that some have been ashamed to wear. Now, that country that was one laughed upon as being selfish, spoiled and very overweight is the same country now pushing those selfish ways aside and making a change for the greater good.
I, too, felt proud to be an American for the first time.
For most of my life, American has simply been the country were I was born; but there have been no real feeling behind it for me. Yet, while I was watching the inauguration on television that day, there was a smile on my face the entire time and I didn’t realize it.
To watch something that people have only joked about for years actually happen in front of your face is wonderful.
I have seen houses throughout the Washington area decorated in red white and blue, something you wouldn’t even see here on the Fourth of July.
On January 20, 2009, the whole country celebrated. In fact, other countries even celebrated with us.
It was a truly joyful moment for all. I still can’t tell you exactly what it means to be an American, but I can tell you that right now, being one feels very good.
Tia Felton is a senior at McKinley Tech High School and an intern at The Women’s Foundation through Urban Alliance. When she graduates from high school this year, she will go to college to study political science and hopes to eventually to become a lawyer.
To learn more about the Urban Alliance internship program, click here.
