Analysis Of Eric Liu's Essay: What Every American Should Know

In Eric Liu’s essay, What Every American Should Know, he discusses how America needs to unite to create a common culture. This new culture will help the the current new generation of Americans become equal in a social atmosphere. Liu used Cultural Literacy, a critical piece by E.D. Hirsch, to explain a list of topics Hirsch and two of his colleagues believed every American show. The only concern that comes with the list is that it is outdated. The current generation needs a list with Internet memes, images, symbols, and pop culture references that can put Americans of all backgrounds on an equal playing field. For my list of what every American should know, I would have ten items: the Constitution, the three divisions of government, American
This knowledge is needed to have qualified citizens casting their ballots on legislation. Citizens have to know to what rights they are entitled. They also need to know these amendments to realize the government is not following the law. There are Americans right now that have a limited understanding of the Constitution. They can not tell you how many amendments are in the document, or how amendments are added. This understanding is critical to help advance the country. A crucial skill I take seriously is knowing all fifty states. This skill can give someone the title “a real American.” Wearing red, white, and blue on the fourth is easy and minimal. Knowing every state and being able to find it on a map is more important. I feel people become so fascinated with the social culture of being an American that they forget what it actually counts.
For the education aspect of the list, knowing English grammar is simply a required skill. Everyone needs to know how to write, or they will be lost in their insufficiencies. Writing skills help bring educated minds together. It is one of the ways humans communicate. Our country needs sophisticated men and women who can articulate their thoughts clearly and