On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was inaugurated as the youngest president ever elected. During his speech, he made a remark that is famous today for its powerful language and message: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
But do most people understand what this means? Do any people today apply it to their own lives?
This important message was delivered to millions of individuals who watched and heard it. Still, it was primarily intended for younger generations to recognize it and be the ones to make their country and communities better and stronger.
In the years before this speech, there was a Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, which had intensified following World War II. John F. Kennedy’s main goal was to urge the country to live in peace, rather than end with conflict and deaths.
Kennedy was asking people to band together and “commit themselves to service and sacrifice” to make America great. Unfortunately, the exact opposite is now true, and there are gaps in our culture and diversity.
I agree with his message of serving our country. With a gross domestic product of $25.5 trillion, the United States is unquestionably the most powerful country on earth. Of course, the United States has freedom of speech, which is protected by the Bill of Rights. Some countries maintain free speech, while others overtly restrict it, which is unfortunate.
However, the United States provides so much for its people that they sometimes take advantage of it. America can do a lot to help its citizens feel safe and happy and enjoy their lives, but it all depends on the people who live there. It’s how they respond and behave.
On December 22, 2023, a statue of our first president, George Washington, located in Washington DC, was vandalized with the words “Free Gaza.” This is truly a lack of respect and immaturity from those protestors, who are showing their frustration towards the statue of George Washington.
What urges them to do such violence towards a statue? George Washington fought for American independence so that people could earn their freedom and rights. They are using that opportunity to make a point about Gaza, but instead of vandalizing, couldn’t the civilians sit and discuss to find a common ground?
In January 2024, the well-known baseball star Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947, had his statue cut off at the feet and it was later discovered in a garbage can. Rickey Alderete, 45, pled guilty to his role in the statue’s theft a few weeks later. He might face nineteen years in prison for his actions. Unfortunately, it is heartbreaking to see how someone like him can easily trash a statue honoring a positive role model and athlete. Luckily, League 42 has begun rebuilding the monument again, to have it completed soon. This is only one example of how Jackie Robinson’s civic moment inspires others to make a difference in their communities.
With so many varied viewpoints and perspectives, no one is on the same page with one another. Rivalry, protests, and rioting are taking place across the United States and other countries.
Some of the most recent protests taking place in the United States and other nations were the Black Lives Matter and the Israel–Hamas war protests. These protests were often violent, as some of the protestors threatened the country by robbing and trashing buildings, burning the American flag, and shouting “Death to America.”
Watching these actions being carried out is extremely upsetting and disrespectful. Of course, America is not a perfect country; our leaders have made mistakes in the past, which is understandable. But America remains one of the safest and strongest countries in history.
In some Middle Eastern and Asian countries, if you say something against the government, or share it on social media, government officials will either imprison or expel the person who said it. America does not have any of those rules. Instead, our constitution provides citizens with the opportunity to speak out against their government or to encourage others to take a stand, which I support.
Before the first and second world wars, most teenagers were willing to join the military to fight for their country and defend their liberty. Nearly 40% of members of that generation volunteered to serve in World War II. Those generations were characterized as patriots, highly motivated, and had an amazing work ethic, as opposed to the members of Generation Z, who don’t seem to care as much about their own country.
Kennedy’s inauguration speech was intended to encourage people to unite and work together to make America great again, leaving hostility behind. But it’s a shame that most young people today don’t remember his words.
If you are intrigued by this article, I highly recommend that you watch John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address. You should also listen to Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and Ronald Reagan’s “Tear Down This Wall” address. These speeches made a huge difference in our country and changed the world forever.
