I’ll go. I’m still proud of every American who has held in there through these 8 years and not given up on turning things around. We know what it is to live free and despite all the obstacles ahead there is still places that you can experience it.
I’m an American that lives abroad (UK). I’ve gotten a little more proud of being American the longer I’ve been out of the place, and my below response will reflect my experiences living in Europe.
The best thing in my mind is our friendliness and openness to new people. Brits are by far the friendliest Europeans but it’s honestly like a beauty pageant at a truck stop for that one. Europeans think our friendliness is strange but I think their aloofness is strange and years after making the move, I still don’t understand why you wouldn’t be friendly to people you encounter in everyday life.
Another thing is our work ethic. Sure the uber-progressives can chant anti work all they want and say it’s rooted in late stage capitalism, but I can tell you the Americans at my office in London are pretty much all the best employees in their departments without exception. We are resourceful, hard working and understand how to cut through bureaucracy to get things done.
Our skepticism of blindly following rules and process I think is great. The UK is the most like the US in Europe in many respects but they’re still very “computer says no” about things without questioning why. I like that, in my experience americans aren’t afraid to shake things up a bit and question authority a bit more than our European counterparts.
I love living in London but a big part of my personality was shaped by the US and I’ve learned to embrace it as something that makes me unique here.
This was a really interesting read. My job is basically dependent on asking why and cutting through the BS to get stuff done. It’s just … natural in the US. Never thought of that being a reason why we’re successful in business throughout the world.
Our country is beautiful, and we have an incredibly diverse array of climates. Tropical beaches, vast deserts, snow capped peaks, dense forest, sprawling grasslands. And so much of our land is protected in National Parks, BLM, National Forests… It’s truly a treasure.
And that doesn’t even include Alaska.
The cities and states fighting back and keeping some sanity in these time. Best I got. I mean given our history we really need to be the best we can to make the best of ourselves that we can to justify our existence and we have been failing hard for ugh. Most of my life now.
Even though there is a tsunami of hate, more than half the country is outraged and truly wants to defend those being targeted. I’m still proud of that, it’s the propaganda that affects the 30+% of the population that really sucks…
Remember: the entire population doesn’t vote. Roughly half of the voting population chooses this hatred.
I’m proud that a man can overcome extravagant wealth and luxury, a low IQ, a criminal record, extreme narcissism to climb all the way to the top to become the worst leader in history.
Some things I’m proud of:
- The citizens that volunteer their time to defend the potential of others in their communities. E.g. youth development, homeless assistance.
- The common principles the nation is built on (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) and bind us together. Today, it seems the many ways those principles are interpreted has splintered society. However, in my experience, most Americans feel strongly about those principles, and they can be used as a basis for relationships across many unlikely social groups.
I think it’s easiest to be proud of your country and fellow citizens when you start interacting meaningful with your neighbors with an open mindset, regardless of their world view.
Honestly, I’d say the national park system. But that’s a “for however long we still have it.”
I’m legitimately struggling to answer this right now. I have little pride for nations in general, and none whatever for ours at the moment. I have plenty of pride for individuals and groups that are trying to do the right thing, but there’s nothing unique to America in that regard.
^ this. I’ve lived in other countries. Lots of Americans would benefit from traveling or living abroad. Nationalism is silly, and gets weaponized by the ruling class.
