"American Values"

[Thanatos 2,847]

ITT: Ngata burns PE worse than everyone else combined.

[Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014]

tbh I kinda agree with both Ngata and Phil.

 

None of us chose to be born into this country or this society, but we accepted it as so from birth. But what if society blows? How do you fix your situation? You man up, play their game, beat them at it, and take your reward elsewhere to create your reality as you see fit.

 

What if you were given circumstances that hindered your progress or even the first step? Well, that's a lot of people. Maybe your situation was in the 99th percentile of wet, murky shit and you could never even conceive of a way out. If that's the case, you're in a 3rd world country and you are excused to die a pitiful life that the rest of us probably could've prevented.

 

For the rest of us, there has to be a point where you look at your situation and say, "my past lead me here, what do I do to fix my situation?" At some point the past is the past and you're accountable for you. It's not an excuse to be a worthless person, to treat others poorly, or to give up. Maybe it takes you longer to find your version of success (which I think is important to note: your version), but everyone should try to make the most of their existence.

 

I came from shit with shittier parents, was born with a cleft lip and pallet, and got hit on the highway by a drunk driver when I was 16 and got nothing from it but a ruined knee. I don't give a shit about money, the US, or society, but I do care about people—the ones that try.

 

I'm not where I want to be, yet, and I'm 25. Plenty of people got there much sooner, but I am content with my choices. I took custody of my younger brother at 19. I supported my gf while she finished college. I work to change my situation and that of those I care about and I take pride in it. Every job I've had, I have been given authority or some sort of responsibility because all I do is fuckin' try. I'm currently managing a large liquor store and saving to change my life and a few others. Outside of that, I'm still kinda pudgy, but I weigh less than I have since freshman year of high school and am working on it slowly. Finally dropped under 190. I will need to fix my teeth, my septum, and maybe my knee, but that will come.

 

I don't feel like I owe anything to anyone, especially a country I never asked to be part of. But I'm not about to quit doing my best.

Edited October 7, 2017 by Zack_of_Steel

[seanbrock 1,684]

I made this thread because of all the hoopla about the flag and what it means. I think a lot of people say the flag is a representation of American Values. To me, American values are, yes working hard for what you have but it's also about helping your fellow man. It's about "Liberty and Justice For All."I don't know if our government and our military (or at least those in charge of it) represent those values but even in what is by far the most turbulent times I've lived through in this country you still see people giving what they can to help those affected by natural disaster, the massive amount of money that's raised by people for cancer and all kinds of stuff.

 

I think the reason why black athletes (and some of their white teammates) are protesting the anthem is because they see that right now our society isn't living up to the "Liberty and Justice For All" aspect of American values and to me that is so much more important than nationalism, patriotism and ESPECIALLY propaganda. The NFL is PAID by the US military to have the players come out for the anthem. It's a meaningless ceremony for propaganda purposes only.