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

Citizens Must Fulfill Obligations and Duties to the CommunityIn our changing world how do we define a citizen? Peter J. Gomes in his speech, polite 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 Websters immature World Dictionary defines a citizen as a segment of a nation by birth or naturalization, but a citizen is much 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 grand that every citizen should possess. I know that many disagree. They believe showing patriotism equals arrogance, conceit and sends a message tha t we are superior to everyone else. I disagree. later the attacks of September 11, our nation experienced a surge of patriotism. We were not provided individuals living among each other we were the Statesns. We were proud to announce to the world that the States 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 grow the right to openly disagree with those policies. To be deemed citizen requires more from us than beneficial feeling pride for our nation citizenship also carries with it duties and respo... ...out change will settle down into place. John F. Kennedy said it best in his inaugural address contain not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.Works Cited Gomes. Peter. J. Civic Virtue and th e Character of Followship A New piss on an OldHope. The Presence of Others. Eds. Andrea A. Lunsford and John J. Ruszkiewicz. New York Bedford/ St. Martins, 2000. 205-212.Kennedy. John. F. 1965 Presidential first Address. Washington, D.C. 11 Jan.1965. InforTrack (Expanded academician ASAP). Howard Community College Library, Columbia, MD. 22 Oct. 2002. <http//www.galegroup.com/. Ushkow. Mike. Turnout Ups, Downs. Campaigns & Elections. December/ JanuaryV22. (2002) 10. InfoTrack (Expanded Academic ASAP). Howard Community College Library, Columbia, MD. 18 Oct. 2002. <http//www.galegroup.com/.