Another Antygone: 1. America is good.

Despite the drama, corruption, and increase in criminal activity that seems to be unfolding before us on the news each and every day, America is still by and large the best place in the world to be. We’re extremely generous, even when we don’t have a lot to spare. We always stick up for the “under dogs” of the world and have taken flack for it.

Unfortunately, the media likes to harp on the negative parts of our society rather then the positive. It’s easy to peddle crime, destruction, violence, and deviousness because that’s what sells. Thankfully, I think the majority of Americans are getting fed up with it and are looking for stories of hope, good deeds, and heroes. It’s tragic that such horrendous crimes occur, especially those concerning children, but there are far more good deeds that occur daily.

All over the country, children, teens, and young adults are banding together to support a myriad of different causes. Here’s just a few:

http://www.soldiersangels.org/ – As a volunteer-based nonprofit, we have over 30 different teams supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Through special projects, dedicated teams and individuals supporting our troops, we make a visible difference in the lives of our service members and their families.

http://www.beccascloset.org/ - "Little things can make a big difference..." This was the phrase that served as the driving force behind the beautiful life and caring actions of 16-year-old Rebecca Kirtman. Becca, a cheerleader, honor student, and caring young woman, passed away in a tragic automobile accident on August 20, 2003. Today, her family and friends not only remember Becca for her great love and friendship, but also for her contributions to the community.

http://sadd.org/ - For 27 years, SADD has been committed to empowering young people to lead education and prevention initiatives in their schools and communities. SADD was founded by Robert Anastas and a group of 15 students at Wayland High School in Massachusetts as Students Against Driving Drunk in 1981 in Wayland, Massachusetts. SADD has grown to become the nation’s dominant peer-to-peer youth education and prevention organization with thousands of chapters in middle schools, high schools and colleges. In 1997, in response to requests from SADD students themselves, SADD expanded its mission and name and now sponsors chapters called Students Against Destructive Decisions. SADD continues to endorse a firm "No Use" message related to use of alcohol and other drugs. With its expanded focus, SADD now highlights prevention of all destructive behaviors and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, substance abuse, impaired driving, violence, and suicide.

Those are just three examples of the countless organizations that are out there because American’s cared enough about other people to DO something about it. So when the media wants to beat up the country’s morale, just remember that there are countless, anonymous people out there doing good deed for for the sake of doing good deeds.

When the media wants to accuse out military of being a bunch of bullies, interfering where they don’t belong, just remember that countless people that are alive and free thanks to our soldiers putting their lives on the line.

Americans soldiers and citizens have been helping people around the country and around the world since the birth of our nation. Here is a small representation of how AMERICA IS GOOD:

American soldiers liberating children at Buchenwald: