Proud To Be An American: Why I Refuse To Be Ashamed Of The USA

America’s exceptionalism and goodness are hotly debated around the globe, and many Americans at home (namely, liberals) view their own country with cynicism, shame and contempt.

I take a different stance. Why should Americans feel compelled to apologize for their country or to be ashamed of their identity? There are many reasons to be proud of the United States of America. Here are just a few that explain why every American should hold their head high—and value our great country.

The Founding of the USA

Truth is a key component of the USA's founding that sets it apart from other nations. The Founding Fathers valued it so much that they outlined two specific truths in the Declaration of Independence that guide our government: all men are created equal and have certain God-given, unalienable rights. These rights include life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The Declaration of Independence states that these truths are self-evident and that they are derived from natural law.

America is founded on the belief that every human has inherent dignity. This alone makes America a standout.

Natural law refers to specific principles that can be determined through human reason. These principles, bestowed by God, are inherent and apply to everyone. They transcend man-made law. The Founding Fathers believed the role of government was to uphold and respect natural law, not override it. In fact, they considered laws that went against natural law to be unjust and invalid. They created a rightly ordered country by basing the American government on natural law (and therefore God’s law). They ensured that US leaders could not coerce their citizens to act against what is natural without going against the Constitution.

America is founded on the belief that every human has inherent dignity. This alone makes America a standout. This basis also guides its future, creating a system that will flourish so long as it stays true to the original intent of the founders enshrined in the Constitution. We have seen examples of America’s moral code impacting the creation of new policies in recent history. The natural law at the core of America was also key to Martin Luther King Jr.’s argument for racial equality. America's beginnings paved the way for its growth in later years. Who can be ashamed of that?

The Virtue of Patriotism

Patriotism is scrutinized in an age that protests anything indicating American pride, including our flag. Critics brand patriotism as problematic or blindly loyal. It’s anything but. Patriotism is a form of charity, a love of country. Patriotism celebrates a country’s history and signifies a desire for America to move positively into its future. We can think of it in terms of other things we love in life. If you love your significant other, no matter how imperfect they may be, you also want what’s good for them: solid opportunities, good health, security, loving friends and more. You wouldn’t disown them for their flaws but push them to be better. That’s patriotism to America.

True patriotism does not excuse or downplay failings but seeks to right these wrongs to create a better country.

Patriotism doesn’t mean glossing over complicated or even tragic parts of our country’s history. There have been regrettable, disastrous moments in our past, and our government still has problems today. True patriotism does not excuse or downplay failings but seeks to right these wrongs to create a better country. It is a simultaneous love of country and a vow to protect its future and integrity. Patriotism compels people to speak out and call for accountability when the government infringes on rights, when laws are unconstitutional and when freedom is threatened.

Freedom, Opportunity and the American Dream

America has long been called “the land of opportunity.” No image was more indicative of this than the American Dream. Author James Truslow Adams coined the phrase in the 1930s during the Great Depression. It’s the belief that every American citizen has the freedom and opportunity to attain a better life. He said that the American Dream “has been realized more fully in actual life here than anywhere else, though very imperfectly even among ourselves.”

The dream isn’t just concerned with material or monetary means but with every person’s ability to reach their full potential, regardless of class or position. Today, many consider that dream to be dead. They feel robbed of it, listing various disasters (inflation, recessions, or government overreach) as reasons why it’s unachievable. While these hurdles make the dream more difficult to attain and are significant issues that we should address, they haven’t completely killed the dream.

Take JD Vance, for example. Born in Ohio to a low-income single mother who struggled with addiction, he was raised by his grandmother, who did not graduate from high school. Today, at 40 years old, he is the vice president of the United States. His is a modern-day American Dream story, exemplifying the opportunity and freedom America is known for. Vance was quoted as saying, “To me, the American Dream is about living a good life in your own country.”

Not only is living a good life still possible in America, but it’s more possible here than in other countries. We have constitutional freedoms, such as freedom of speech, religion, the press and assembly. Basic rights, such as wearing what we want, getting an education, and voicing our opinions, are taken for granted. There are other nations where citizens cannot live a good life because of dictatorships, class discrimination and tyranny. Despite flaws in our country, our circumstances are ones that citizens of other countries, quite frankly, can only dream about.

American Heroes

The Founding Fathers wrote in the preamble to the Constitution that they set out “to form a more perfect union.” To do this, they laid out six goals: establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

They didn’t operate under an illusion of American perfectionism, but recognized that the country was worth defending all the same.

Part of securing freedom for the present and future generations means defending the country’s ideals and existence. One reason to be proud of America is the heroes from this country who’ve protected it. These individuals safeguarded the country throughout wars, economic hardships and various threats to democracy. They didn’t operate under an illusion of American perfectionism, but recognized that the country was worth defending all the same.

American heroes are not relics of a bygone era. There are still people in the US, both those in office and everyday citizens, who dare to stand up and protect the Constitution, even if it results in loss of job, health, friends or even life. They are instilled with respect for the past and hope for the future. As we’ve all heard before, America is the land of the free because of the brave. That alone is worth celebrating.

Far from ignoring problems or turning a blind eye to issues, loving America is key to preserving the future. Something doesn’t have to be perfect to be exceptional. By showcasing American pride, we respect where we come from, recognize America’s greatness, honor the sacrifice of those who came before us and preserve our country for future generations.