What It Means To Be An American

20th century French writer and philosopher, Albert Camus once said, "Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better." That quote perfectly exemplifies what it means to be an American. It is commonly appreciated that Americans have the freedom to do what they want, say what they want, and ultimately be what they want. There is a difference that truly makes being an American great. Though there are many free nations in the world, and in those nations, you have the same kinds of freedoms, the beauty of being an American is that you have the ability to become more than what you are, and to transcend social and class barriers. The root of these barriers is an imposed subjugation that is willingly accepted for many different economic reasons.

Entering the World of Violence and Pain

This is not the story of just Luis but the story of many young men that have been pushed into a world that is harsh and cold. I grew up in a suburb where this other world was the problem - a world where at best we needed to ignore or build a gated community to keep our distance. I saw the crimes committed from stories on television. I learned to lock my doors in fear. They were the enemy - the ones that made my world unsafe and uncomfortable. What else was I to do?