Stay American

The other day, I was talking to a relative about some things I've seen around my city lately that have peeked my concern. Similar to my lack of knowledge of the laws and politics of the country that essentially governs my life, before now, I've never been concerned with the happenings of East Saint Louis. But since I moved home from school, I can't help but notice the destitution and infiltration happening before my eyes. I asked my relative, as resident of this city, what should I do about what I'm seeing. Should I voice my concern? Talk to a city official? I find it hard to stay silent while the place I grew up is in such a poor state. Sternly, he replied, "Don't get involved. Act like you don't see it. Stay American". What exactly did he mean by Stay American? With all the hype surrounding this upcoming election, one point the candidates have emphasized is the privilege of being an American, of living in this country and taking advantage of all the great opportunities it has to offer and especially, exercise the right to vote. It's almost being used as patriotism blackmail. The candidates make such strong and insulting arguments about the opponent, maintaining how their policies have not helped the American people and set the country back; however, if you vote for them, their policies will surely get the country back on track. If one votes contrarily, then one isn't American. To stay American, according to my relative, is to not use freedom of speech, see the war and hatred happening in our backyard and refuse to take action. According to the politicians, staying American is to vote for the candidate that supposedly values the principles this country was founded on-life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness-and utilize one's voice. Use carefully and consciously the rights "given" to us, rights we are entitled as human beings-as long as one doesn't use them against the country and government. Listening to my relative, I would get no results and the things would continue as they have. Doing absolutely nothing at all has failed %100 of the time as an option for anything that required action. If I take the advice of the candidates, the results would vary. People have requested many things of our elected officials and there is at least one pissed off person in the group because their suggestion was not acted upon. So what exactly does it mean to stay American? Remain silent or speak up?