Iam still trying to digest the events of New Years’ Eve dinner; so here I go, off to a new adventure with my classmates. On Jan. 2, I left Rome to meet 20 other students for the annual mass communications trip to Washington D.C. and New York City. Mass Communication Assistant Program Professor Dr. Jim Miller, and Chairman and Communication Department Professor Dr. Jack Shock led this 10-day-long-trip, worth one to three hours of credit, to experience the world of communication first hand. The three days spent wandering around the Capitol, seeing where the House of Representatives meet, and the Newseum (museum of news) gave me a better understanding of American culture while the week spent in NYC showed me how a successful career can make life accelerate its pace.
Two years at Harding taught me a lot about the American lifestyle, but this trip has gave me a deeper comprehension of the fundamental American ideals. Among the many things I learned about Americans on this trip is their need to stress their American freedoms, almost as if they are scared they will wake up one morning and forget how necessary it is. Freedom from England in the Declaration of Independence, freedom from fear in the 9/11 memorial, freedom from slavery in the Lincoln memorial, freedom from prejudice in the words “I have a dream” carved in the stone steps at the Lincoln memorial.
Do not all citizens of the world have a craving for freedom? It was interesting to see that Americans obtained their freedom 237 years ago and still remember it like a mantra, every day of their lives.
I have also learned that Americans take their right to personal and individual opinion seriously. The separation of the Senate and the House of Representatives intrigued me since I took an American government class at Harding. Seeing the representatives voting gave me a new understanding of how important it is to let our voices be heard. Americans, Italians and all those blessed with the right and duty to vote need to let their opinions be known, for all those who cannot exercise this right.
It’s a matter of roots, a matter of finding the heart of this country. I found it standing in front of the Preamble, resting at the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial. I found it in the story of the 9/11 heroes.
You cannot really know where you are going if you don’t know where you are coming from. At least once in your life, go see the sites. Experience the birth of your country. When I read the words “we the people” I felt included in the “we.” Even though I am not an American, I too have a love for sweet tea and Chick-Fil-A. At the end of the day, America is formed from random races and cultures. That “we” stands for something more. So here “we” are, we the people, of the world.
