Citizen U.S.A.
Happy Monday Everyone!
The past weekend, as I was flipping through the channels to find something to watch, I came across a really interesting documentary, Citizen U.S.A.: A 50 State Road Trip on HBO.
Emmy-winning filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi attends naturalization ceremonies across all 50 states and meets people from all over the world who have just become American citizens to learn why they chose America as their home. Her documentary includes interviews from newly naturalized citizens about where they came from and what they love about America. Pelosi’s Dutch-born husband’s swearing-in ceremony inspired the filmmaker to go on a nationwide road trip “to experience the moment new citizens take their oath, to find out why so many people are willing to renounce their birth country and swear allegiance to the United States of America.”
After watching the full documentary, I was moved. As a person whose family came to the United States to live the American dream, even I realize how easy it is to take things for granted.
When asked, “What do you like most about America?” the answers varied: freedom, security, clean water, respect, equality, education, being able to practice any religion, American food, customer service, and 911 were some of the answers.
It made me realize how diverse the United States really is, how many unique and incredible people we have here that have their own backgrounds, history, culture, and reasons why they came to this beautiful country. Most of the people in the documentary came to the U.S. with very little money, no knowledge of the English language, and full of hopes and dreams for their future. They came here for an opportunity to reach their full potential.
We should strive to learn as much as possible from people all over the world. In this amazing country, is nice to know that you don’t have to go far to experience diversity.
Click here to watch the documentary trailer.
What are your thoughts? Have you or someone you know immigrated to the United States? Why?
One Response to Citizen U.S.A.
August 3rd, 2011 at 7:11pm
Great post Yana! Embracing our differences can help us respect how important they are!