As the nation celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, we asked residents across Illinois a simple question: In a few words, what does America mean to you?
The answers we received reflected a range of perspectives, from appreciating widespread freedom, to a strong belief in fairness and justice, to suggestions on how we can, and must, improve in the next 250 years.
Here’s what your neighbors had to say:
Carter Briggs, 17, of Springfield
America means — this is going to sound bad — but not a whole lot to me because of how the world is going, our current administration.
Seamus Hyland of Ireland (visiting Springfield)
The United States became a home for millions of Irish people (beginning in the) 1700s and particularly after the famine in the 1840s. … We’re proud they had a place to go when they were suffering from poverty and famine.
Rosalind Bond, 76, of Springfield
Washington needs an enema.
Tawahn Armstrong, 44 of Springfield
Black history and family opportunity for generational wealth.
Sen. Sara Feigenholtz of Chicago
If you want something bad you need to be a strong character, and America gives you that opportunity. It’s an extraordinary place where you can help people. I celebrate everything about this country.
Lucille McGee, 76, of Washington, Illinois
I’m not sure anymore. It used to be value and freedom of speech (with) everyone coming together. … I don’t know anymore. I’m not sure if this is a third-world country at this point now.
Nate Robinson, 39, of West Palm Beach, Florida (Visiting Illinois)
Survival of the elitist, with a lack of empathy.
Jean Lythgoe, 79, of Rockford
They’ve talked about the melting pot … I tend to think of us more like a crazy quilt. If you’ve ever seen a picture of a crazy quilt, what you have to do is adjust the pieces so they can all work together, and I think that’s part of what this country is trying to do.
John Martin, 68, of Rockford
It means freedom: freedom from tyranny, freedom of religion, freedom to pursue the pursuits that people need to pursue. It means rule of law; it’s the republic and the rule of law that we need to uphold.
Scott Lewandowski of Rockford
America, to me, means freedom and the ability for the citizens to control their own destiny. I think it’s the greatest country on Earth and there’s no other place like it.
Nick Miramontes, 37, of Rockford
America, to me, means pride. It means opportunity, it means diversity and it means progress.
Manny Lara, 22, of Rockford
America, to me, is just a place of great opportunities for people of different cultures and races, to all be basically one with the same opportunities.
Larry McGee, 49, of Rockford
It might sound cliche, but I really do believe it’s the land of opportunity.
William Chatman, 47, of Rockford
America, to me, means opportunity. It’s a land that anybody can come to and, if they’re serious about excelling and going to the next level, this country provides opportunities.
— This project was reported by Steven Spearie, Tom Ackerman, Claire Grant and Jeff Kolkey, with assistance from community submissions.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: What does America mean to you? We asked 14 residents of Illinois
Reporting by USA TODAY NETWORK-Illinois, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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By USA TODAY NETWORK-Illinois, Springfield State Journal-Register | USA TODAY Network
