Preview

American Exceptionalism Research Paper

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
948 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
American Exceptionalism Research Paper
During the recent events of the San Bernardino terror attack and the war on ISIS, it is easy to question the idea that the United States is “exceptional.” When discussing American exceptionalism there need to be the understanding that it is the notion that as a nation there are both unique and superior characteristics compared to others. Which is basically a shorthand way of saying the United States is the best country to have existed when put against any other nation. President Barack Obama continues to develop the idea that America is exceptional even with the risk of a detrimental connotation. The concept of American exceptionalism exists considering as a nation there are many exceptional actions that are important to the development of …show more content…

Essentially, America allows the liberties and freedoms that many other nations don't necessarily have there are many opportunities offered as well. So many around the globe look to settle and dream of the "American dream" because of its high standard of living and the endless opportunities.
What makes America exceptional is the ability to understand one another and religious preferences. President Obama states, “... It is our responsibility of all Americans -- of every faith -- to reject discrimination.” Though discrimination does exist, there is the allowance of practice of whatever faith one decides to affiliate with and follow. America is a melting pot of all races and religions without the pressures of radical groups causing war and disagreements, that is what makes America above most other nations.
Discussing the topic of acceptance is seen throughout Obama’s speech to America considering it is what makes America exceptional. As events have continued to occur the President as upon Americans to, "... enlist Muslim communities as some of our strongest allies, rather than push them away through suspicion and hate." Though there may be the fear and the ideology that exist with those of Muslim heritage due to the recent terrorist attacks, there is the ability to understand certain
…show more content…

President Obama touches base on the idea that, "we cannot turn against one another by letting this fight be defined as a war between America and Islam... They are thugs and killers, part of a cult of death, and they account for a tiny fraction of more than a billion Muslims around the world..." This is something that makes America exceptional, considering having been able to reevaluate the situation as a whole there is understanding that there should not be a barrier between the Islam and American

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The use of his style shows that Muslim Americans do not want to associate themselves with terrorists like Omar Mateen the Orlando shooter whom he calls a “monster” and that he is trying to provide reasons that not all Muslims Americans represent a terrorist-like character. Using the word monster to describe Mateen, he points out the mistake most people make when they see a Muslim individual having more in common with a terrorist, in which it is made clear that he and other Muslim Americans do not support or associate themselves with an idiotic psychopath as he describes. Furthermore, Ansari takes a literal approach to Donald Trump’s quote to the American Muslim community that they know “who the bad one are” implying that they are all involved in terrorists attack and should be banned. His comparison is that if the people who caused the recession of 2007-2008 would fit Trump’s logic of banning all white males to protect the American economy. Pointing out the faults in Donald Trump’s reasonings is the main point being addressed, and is using language to show the ridiculousness of his logic and how he disassociates himself with terrorists like Omar Mateen, whom he calls a monster. His simple solution to the problem of terrorism may be…

    • 1026 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    According to the article there are about six million Muslims in the United States of America. However, despite the common misbelieve they have very few things in common, one is their religion and two is their experience in a new country. Muslims have different perceptions of how the religion must be practiced, just as Christians have different perceptions of how to practice,…

    • 371 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The author begins with famous quote lines as a clear example of “American exceptionalism” and the idealistic descriptions of the United States, especially over the last two centuries. As the author notes how American exceptionalism is similar to other nations that claimed exceptionalism as well. He clears out there are no differences between them when it comes to their self-assertion conduct, many which resulted in a righteous attitude that leads them to think they are positive role models to the world. A believe that makes the Americans with their privileges and unique qualities to think they are superior than others, when in fact they are no less different.…

    • 605 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    President Obama once said, “We are one people” in his speech The Audacity of Hope. Our nation show so much hate and anger but never take the blame. Everyone blames god, but if we are all gods people why do we point the finger at him? Obama’s syntax, diction, and details show that it is time for us to stop the madness and hatred that we have for one another and stand up for each other because we are a family. Obama’s syntax is significant because it get his message across clearly and effectively. For instance, Obama states that “The true genius of America-a faith in simple dream, [is] an instance on small miracles”. By separating his thoughts he emphasizes to the public by giving his own commentary on the true genius of America. The true…

    • 314 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the article Muslim in America authors Jeffrey Sheler and Michael Betzold describe the hardships of being a Muslim in modern American society, they also give us in depth look at the normality of these American citizens and how they do not differ from any other ethnic group, how they yearn for acceptance, and how they're adapting to American life. "Muslims feel very much at home in Middle America"(655).…

    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Obama begins his speech with addressing the latest terrorist attacks that not only us, but other countries have gone through. The attack in Paris, San Bernardino, Boston Marathon, and the biggest tragedy, 9/11. Reading his speech, I began to realize that we do have plentiful acquaintances with bad people. But they are…

    • 377 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    President Obama aimed to unite the American public in the fight against terrorism in his speech following the death of Osama bin Laden through his use of diction and pathos.…

    • 545 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Obviously, not all of the changes that resulted from the September 11th tragedy were beneficial to the nation, especially the Anti-Islam Sentiment that was developed (Jamil). America’s 2.6 million Muslims have constantly found themselves facing resentment and…

    • 1285 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    “All men are created equal and are endowed by their creator the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. In these United States of America, men and women should not be judged by the religion they practice but by the content of their character. Unfortunately, in the post 9/11 era, American Muslims have been denied access to this “promised land”-- subjected to derision in these “Glorious” United States of America. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, perspectives on Islam have undergone dramatic changes, with 43% of all Americans harboring prejudiced feelings toward Islam. From this, the general perception on Islam has turned to unfounded validation of stereotyping and racial profiling (Gallup,1).…

    • 2037 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Impact Of 9/11 On Society

    • 663 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In conclusion, 9/11 has spurred changes that will have lasting impacts in everyone. Not only do many families mourn the death or their loved ones today, but Muslim Americans also suffer stereotyping, and are often misjudged. The safety measures taken in facilities have also changed, as money is spent on safety equipment, rather than investing in research which could save more lives. It’s no suprise that 9/11 has…

    • 663 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    "Understanding the meaning of American exceptionalism is indispensable for anyone who wants to understand what it has meant to be an American." (Charles Murray) American exceptionalism is the idea that the United States is exceptionally different then other countries in qualitative ways. This theory can be traced to writer Alexis de Tocqueville who was the first to state that America is 'exceptional. ' Many historical figures have used this term in speeches, writing, etc. A popular saying that demonstrates American exceptionalism is "city upon a hill" which was stated by John F. Kennedy. There are two sides to this concept: those who agree and those who disagree. Where does this idea of being genuinely different play a role in the controversial issue of intervening in Syria?…

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    American Exceptionalism..

    • 437 Words
    • 2 Pages

    American exceptionalism is not an assertion of common Americans. Rather it is a statement of the political establishment in the U.S. Political establishment in the U.S. tries to embed and implement the conviction that the U.S. is a “city on a hill,” the “last best hope on Earth”.…

    • 437 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    In 2009, at a press conference in northern France, President Barrack Obama responded to a question concerning American exceptionalism replying, “I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism”, neglecting to mention the historical aspect of this question. He later elaborated in his response, which eliminated the majority of the criticism surrounding his statement; however some continued to persist with their criticism, objecting to his comparison between America’s exceptionalism and others countries. Among the members of the public who disapproved of the former president’s statement was Charles Murray, author of American Exceptionalism.…

    • 1284 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Americans strongly affirm the principles of religious freedom, religious tolerance, and separation of church and state. Nearly 9-in-10 (88 percent) Americans agree that America was founded on the idea of religious freedom for everyone, including religious groups that are unpopular. Ninety-five percent of Americans agree that all religious books should be treated with respect even if we don’t share the religious beliefs of those who use them. Nearly two-thirds (66 percent) of Americans agree that we must maintain a strict separation of church and state. Americans’ views of Muslims and Islam are mixed, however. As with other previously marginalized religious groups in U.S. history, Americans are grappling with the questions Islam poses to America’s founding principles and way of life.…

    • 954 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The notion American Exceptionalism is an abstract theory about the belief of American. By comparing with other nations, American believed that they have the unique characters which contributed distinct national features from other countries. American historians said that “Its uniqueness is explained by any or all of a variety of reasons: history, size, geography, political institutions, and culture.” The word “exception” has two opposite meanings, one is a rare instance, ususual, the other hand one is unusually…

    • 612 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays