The America I Believe In (A)

America is a country full of dreams and opportunities, and Colin Powell explained this well in his essay, “The America I Believe In”. Powell talks about how his parents arrived at shores of America as immigrants. Powell’s parents took hold of the opportunities America could give them. Since then, they started a family and enriched their children with the love and dreams America gave them. This is one of the reasons why America is looked up to by other countries because it is so open to other people and cultures. Our country’s openness makes America the way it is.

My mother was a teenager when she came to America from Puerto Rico. She was scared, just like her mom and sisters. However, America influenced her and her family’s lives. My grandmother soon found hard work and dedication in this country, and she passed these qualities to her daughter, who passed it on to me and my siblings. Without coming to America, I know my grandmother and my mother would not have been given the same opportunities in Puerto Rico. My mother taught me a lot about values and motivation, and America is the reason why. With America’s many opportunities, we are motivated to achieve more.

Sometimes we take for granted the freedom and privileges America provides. We often do not think about it. Because of America’s openness and diversity, we can basically accomplish anything. While reading Powell’s essay, this quote affected me the most: “An America that is still the beacon of light to the darkest corner of the world.” To other countries, America is a home full of dreams and optimism. America is a land of immigrants, which is why our country is so diverse. We accept others, no matter what. Like Colin Powell and others, I am proud to be an American because I am grateful to live in such a democratic country that gives so much to us and the rest of the world.