Citizenship
It is important to understand the rights established in the Constitution because one cannot recognize that one’s rights are being violated if one is unaware of the rights one should have. It is the responsibility of the people to acknowledge and defend their rights if our government is abusing those rights. The rights of the American people can be categorized into three levels: national, state, and local.
In local communities, it remains a vital responsibility to know and make use of one’s rights. In my local community, Clintonville, rights include being able to vote on and have a say in changes that affect the community, and the freedom to go to court if there is a dispute among neighbors. A recent example of a proposed change in my community was the highly controversial idea to install a traffic circle at the intersection of North Broadway and High (a pivotal intersection to travelling throughout the community). Handling disputes in a professional environment is critical to those disputes being handled agreeably.
Responsibility in one’s local community is particularly important since both fulfilling and failing to fulfill responsibility has a noticeable impact on each individual since the community is far more intimate. In addition to responsibilities regarding rights, other responsibilities of being a citizen in a small community, like mine, Clintonville, include the responsibility to care for the community and to give patronage to local businesses. Caring for the community includes volunteering for charity events at local places, picking up litter and maintaining an appealing environment around you. Both are important since the appearance and cleanliness of the community is important and shows respect for the community and those living within it and helps contribute to the community in a constructive way. In Clintonville, there is a plethora of small, unique, oddball shops that add to the charisma of the community and require our business to stay afloat.
On the state level, being aware and vigilant in the protection of one’s rights is just as important a responsibility. The rights of citizens of the state of Ohio are given to them by the Ohio Constitution and states that the citizens of Ohio hold the power and right to alter, reform, or abolish the government if the government fails to serve them, details that victims of crimes have the right to be treated with dignity and fairness, and grants every citizen the freedom to choose their own healthcare. All three are unique and important rights, the first allowing a contingency plan of sorts, should the government overstep its bounds or fail to cater to the needs of its people. The second protects people already hurt by criminal activity and prevents them from being alienated by the community in any way. The third and final is particularly interesting, considering the recent and ongoing controversy concerning nationwide healthcare.
As with the national level, being a citizen of a state has many responsibilities separate from that to embrace rights. Two more responsibilities entailed in being a citizen of the state of Ohio are the responsibility to vote and keep up to date with news and the government. Voting is important on a state level as well because without each citizen’s vote, a true representation of the opinions of Ohioans cannot be achieved. Staying informed concerning current events and the government is important because it is important to understand what is going on in the world in order to change and protect one’s rights and freedom.
On the national level, rights are established in the Bill of Rights and are instrumental in protecting Americans. Three of the most important of these rights, in my opinion, are the right to speak one’s mind, the right to racial and gender equality regarding voting, and the right to maintain a militia comprised of the people. The first, freedom of speech, meaning that citizens of the United States hold the right to express ideas, beliefs, thoughts, and opinions in a public and open way. This is especially important in regulating the government and speaking up for rights of the people. In this way, this right protects all of the other rights by allowing people to speak up for what they believe in and see, for example, if the government begins abusing the rights of the people. All American citizens have the right to vote, regardless of gender, race, religion, or opinions. This right is vitally important because it helps to guarantee that the entirety of americans are represented in elections, and, since elections decide the governing entities of the american people, it is only fair that all members are allowed a voice. The final right that I feel is important to mention, in particular due to the current issues surrounding the amendment in which the right is contained, is the right to assemble a militia, comprised of the people to protect the people from the government. Part of this amendment, the 2nd, also claims that U.S. citizens have the right to “keep and bear arms,” and, while I will not delve into the politics of the issue, I do believe this is an important right to consider as well, as long as it is always considered alongside its companion, the right to maintain a militia. The purpose of the militia of the people and for the people is to protect the people from the government, should there ever be a situation where the government is abusing the rights of it’s citizens.
While the responsibility of citizens to know the rights granted to them by the government is an important responsibility, other responsibilities of American citizens include the responsibility to vote on issues and bills and for elected officials in elections. This is important because if people do not vote, their voice cannot be heard and therefore their opinion will not be represented in the government, defeating the purpose of democracy. Another responsibility held by the people is that to pay taxes on time, in addition to abiding by all of the laws set by the government, though in certain cases, where the government is infringing upon constitutional rights it is appropriate to speak up. This is important because taxes are the lifeblood of civilization and without them this country would simply cease to function, and, without law-abiding citizens, the country would fall to chaos.
The definition of citizenship has changed in many ways over the course of U.S. history, but it has always been linked to a key few issues. Immigration is one, from forcing the Irish, escaping famine and oppression, into overcrowded and dangerous factories to rewarding Chinese immigrants for building the railroads with the Chinese Exclusion Act to desperate Mexican immigrants fleeing illegally to the States, only to be shot by “vigilante” Texans, being a citizen of the United States has always been an attractive prize that many feel that it should be made more elusive, exclusive and only beneficial to those deemed “American.” This is not to suggest that citizenship hasn’t changed between the factories and electric fences, citizenship and what it means to be a citizen has flowed with the times and will continue to until the United States is no more. Controversy continues to be another underflowing theme linked to citizenship throughout history. Today, one of the biggest controversies surrounding citizenship is immigration, especially the influx of illegal Mexican immigrants attempting to find better opportunities and freedoms in America. This includes the issue of children of illegal immigrants born in the United States and the exportation of illegal immigrants who have been working and contributing to American society for years.
Immigration and Citizenship
Becoming a Citizen
A Texan rancher takes the law into his own hands and "protects" his range (located 70 miles from the mexican border) using firearms, electricity and other means of force. He keeps a book of illegal immigrants he has killed and captured.
To become a naturalized citizen, an immigrant must go through a long process. First and foremost the person must be eligible for citizenship. The eligibility requirements are that they must be older than 18 years old and they must have been living in the U.S. for at least 5 years on a permanent residence, in addition to a few other details. Once they meet the requirements they must make a request for, fill out, and submit an Application for Naturalization. After this step, there is a thorough background check followed by an interview where the will-be citizen demonstrates an understanding of the English language and mastery of a civics test. After the interview, the officer will provide them with a notice of interview results, if they are granted citizenship then they are now a naturalized citizen, if not they must continue along in the process by arranging a hearing to appeal the decision. The only advantage of natural born citizens is that they are the only citizens allowed to run for either vice president or president, even naturalized citizens are not allowed to run.