American Creed: Set Of Values And Beliefs

Political Science
24 March 2014

American Creed
We see the American Creed as a set of values and beliefs that can be found in the American political culture. (Coleman, Goldstein, and Howell) The beliefs and values are equality, individualism, democracy, liberty, natural rights, property, and religion. We, as the American culture have the opportunity to all be equals, live in a democracy, be individual, have the opportunity to acquire property and use said property as we see fit. Our religion is a part of our individuality and should therefore not be determined by our government; we have right to liberty and should not have it interfered by government, and if so, interference should be minimal. This is the American culture we live in
An example of how the lack of liberty, property, democracy, equality, and individualism can be found in entertainment is the recent science fiction adventure film, “Hunger Games”. ("The Hunger Games and Liberty) Its plot revolves around Katniss Everdeen, a girl who volunteers herself in place of her sister to partake in her country’s yearly “Hunger Games”. The purpose of the games is a source of entertainment for the rich; watching the 12 districts of Panem killing another for fame and fortune. The 12 districts are separated from another, as well as live only to work and serve their capitol while they themselves hunger and have no freedoms. They are ruled by the capitol, mainly President Snowden alone, they lack equality due to the fact that some districts have an easier life than others; they have no land to call their own, and no liberty for they are controlled by their Capitol. Viewers watching for their enjoyment may not see the American creed’s values and beliefs being unfolded before them, but when paying close attention, we can see what life would be like if these beliefs and values were not emphasized in our
Hiccup, son of the villages’ chief, Stoick the Vast, wants to follow in his town’s tradition of slaying dragons. However, when he catches his first one, he sees that beyond the towns knowledge, the dragons are not vicious killers but sweet and most of all, trainable. Hiccup sets his mind on training Toothless, the dragon he captured and proving how dragons are not their enemies but in fact, their friends. The movie can represent many aspects of the American creed, but personally, I believe individualism stands out the most. Rather than following everyone’s footsteps and becoming a dragon slayer, Hiccup see’s he is not like the others and cannot kill a dragon, he decides to take a different, individual route and trains them. Seeing this change shows us how individuality is a big part of our life. As in the movie, we all grow up knowing what is expected of us but in the end, we choose our own paths to travel