The American Creed
The film “American Creed” discusses a theme that revolves around American identity. Throughout the film, Condoleezza Rice and David M. Kennedy look to define what it means to be a citizen in the United States and how it has changed over time. The history of America has had many writers and activists that have shared their own unique views on what it means to be an American. The writers and activists that will be discussed are Martin Luther King Jr., Walt Whitman, and Langston Hughes. All of these people have their own definition of the American Creed and what it means to have an American identity.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a godsend when it comes to advocating for the American Creed. His sense of the American Creed was solely based upon equality. He believed everyone was created with equal opportunity and that racial discrimination and injustice had no place in the United States. He gave many speeches around the United States most notably his “I Have a Dream” speech which spoke about the racial injustices that were present in the United States. He envisioned the United States as a place where future Americans would all be able to work together regardless of race, in perfect harmony.
Walt Whitman is one of America’s most famous poets. In one of his more popular poems, “I Hear America Singing” Whitman focuses on America’s working class. Whitman focuses on the working class because he believes that the American Creed depends on the effort put forth by them. Whitman believed in appreciating the individuals that helped society to progress. He saw every American as an important piece to an equally as important puzzle. He also believed in valuing the participation made by women in society which may have been a less popular opinion during his time as opposed to today.
Langston Hughes was an American novelist and poet that wrote the poem “I, Too, Sing America.” Similarly, to Martin Luther King Jr., Hughes believed that people were created equal. The American Creed he may have interpreted is one that did condemn African Americans but only celebrate their culture and devotion. In his poem, “I, Too, Sing America” he shows the relationship between African Americans and the rest of America. African Americans were not in their rightful place but rather beneath everyone else. He believed since African Americans helped mold America that in return they should be treated as respectfully and equally as everyone else.
The American Creed can be interpreted in many different ways as seen with the activists and writers discussed. These individuals have a common idea in mind when it comes to the American Creed and that is diverse people coming together to form communities that strive to help each other reach their goals.
References:
“Langston Hughes.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 June 2021. Web. 16 June 2021.
“Out of Many, One.” But Do We Have One American Identity?: The Takeaway.” WNYC Studios. 04 July 2018. Web. 16 June 2021.
“Walt Whitman.” Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 27 May 2021. Web. 16 June 2021.
“Martin Luther King Jr.” GreenLight Rights. 05 Sept. 2018. Web. 16 June 2021.
