How do We Define a Citizen ? Essay -- Expository Definition Essays

Citizens Must Fulfill Obligations and Duties to the Community In our ever-changing world how do we define "a citizen?" Peter J. Gomes in his speech, "Civic Virtue and the Character of Followship" defines a citizen as "...one who belongs and one who has obligations" (206). He adds a citizen has "... the notion of belonging, having an identity of which one is proud and by which one is defined and having an obligation to share and serve in behalf of that greater good" (206). The Webster's New World Dictionary defines a citizen as "a member of a nation by birth or naturalization," but a citizen is more than that. A citizen not only has rights and privileges; he is a proud, contributing member of society. I define a citizen as one who understands and fulfils his obligations and duties to his community. Patriotism, love of country, is an ideal that every citizen should possess. I know that many disagree. They believe showing patriotism equals arrogance, conceit and sends a message that we are superior to everyone else. I disagree. After the attacks of September 11, our nation experienced a surge of patriotism. We were not merely individuals living among each other; we were Americans. We were proud to announce to the world that America is the greatest nation in the world. We were showing love and support for the ideas that America stands for: freedom, individual rights, and tolerance. Even when we are not in agreement with the policies of our government, we as citizens of the United States can be proud that in our country we have the right to openly disagree with those policies. To be deemed citizen requires more from us than just feeling pride for our nation; citizenship also carries with it duties and respo... ...out change will fall into place. John F. Kennedy said it best in his inaugural address: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." Works Cited Gomes. Peter. J. "Civic Virtue and the Character of Followship: A New Take on an Old Hope." The Presence of Others. Eds. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. New York: Bedford/ St. Martin's, 2000. 205-212. Kennedy. John. F. "1965 Presidential Inaugural Address." Washington, D.C. 11 Jan.1965. InforTrack (Expanded Academic ASAP). Howard Community College Library, Columbia, MD. 22 Oct. 2002. <http://www.galegroup.com/>. Ushkow. Mike. "Turnout Ups, Downs." Campaigns & Elections. December/ January V22. (2002): 10. InfoTrack (Expanded Academic ASAP). Howard Community College Library, Columbia, MD. 18 Oct. 2002. <http://www.galegroup.com/>.