In response to the impending Presidential Election in November this year, the US press has had much to say about citizenship. However this seems to have been directed more towards those who desire to become US citizens, rather than those who already hold this right. A recent story by New America Media, entitled “In Election Year, More Immigrants Applying for US Citizenship” outlined the issue of numerous new immigrants to the country applying to become citizens. What is the meaning of citizenship and is it something more than an inherited right or a rubber stamp on a document?
Migrants to any country, especially those who are fleeing from oppression, poverty and war are always keen to be accepted in their new countries as legitimate citizens. And if they are so accepted, are willing to work hard to provide themselves and their children with better opportunities than they had experienced in their mother countries.
Citizenship is not merely a validation of one’s rights to live in a country but embodies more than just living in a country and abiding by its laws. With those simple parameters, most people in the world could live as citizens almost anywhere they chose to be. Citizenship implies a deeper bond with the history of a country and an emotional connection to its ethos and an ability and willingness to abide by its laws. and pride in belonging.
Many who consider themselves good citizens of the United States adhere to these beliefs, in total denial of what it actually means to be a good citizen. They continue to maintain their right to bear arms, discounting the fact that the intended purpose of the Second Amendment was to ensure the right of citizens to protect themselves, their families and their landholdings, with single shot muskets, and have translocated this amendment to encompass the use of AK47’s by anyone over 15 years of age.
Good citizenship, in the true depths of its meaning, aspires for what is best in, and for the country in which they live. Good citizens abide by the laws of the country and vote for their elected leaders when they are required to do so, despite the fact that voting is not compulsory in the United State. But more than that –they love the country into which they were born or accepted and desire, through their actions, to support their leadership to undertake and support the principles of freedom, to which all citizens of a free nation aspire.
Works Cited
Advincula, A. “In Election Year, More Immigrants Applying for U.S. Citizenship.” 13 May 2016. New America Media: Election 2016. <http://newamericamedia.org/2016/05/in-election-year-more-immigrants-applying-for-us-citizenship.php>.
