OPPapers.com

American Self Perception Vs. The Truth

American Self Perception vs. The Truth


Lee Greenwood, a song writer, describes the emotion involved in
American self-perception in a song by saying, "I'm proud to be an American. For
at least I know I'm free." Freedom is the founding pillar of the American self-
perception. Self-perception is the culmination of how one views oneself. Other
aspects which make up American self-perception are wealth, power, and the
pursuance of happiness. Self-perceptions, whether confined to the individual or
confined to an entire country, usually leave out negative aspects such as
hypocrisy. When dealing with the perception of a country, the true image of a
society comes from self, or internal perceptions, combined with the external
perceptions from other countries.
The foundation of American self-perception is freedom. Freedom of speech
and movement are virtual institutions in the United States. Such freedoms of
speech and movement are outlined in the United States Constitution. Americans
believe the constitution sketches the "American Dream" which is having a family,
money, and the freedom to pursue happiness. Every American will stand by the
line derived from the Constitution, "All men are created equal." In actuality,
the constitution outlined the freedom for rich white landowners to achieve
unchecked power and wealth. At the time of the framing of the constitution,
blacks were slaves thus all men were NOT created equal. Women were equally
excluded from the constitution as suffrage wasn't even a consideration at the
time. The only class groups which the American Constitution outlined freedom for
were wealthy European immigrants fleeing their own land for such reasons as
taxes. After such movements as Suffrage and Civil Rights, all Americans were
granted individual rights of freedom thus approaching equality.
The American self-perception of living a life of virtual complete
freedom parallels the American stand on its' belief of democracy. Americans
feel that a...