Tiffany Pham

Mrs. Spurlock

AP EngLangComp

September 4, 2019
The Truth About America

Today I am here to convince you that America is not a shining city upon a hill. Let’s

begin by explaining what the term, “city upon a hill” means. This phrase was famously

mentioned in John Winthrop’s sermon, A Model for Christian Charity which refers to Puritan

history and Winthrop’s desire to form a community that others will look up to. However, I

believe that America has failed to be a good example of a country that others around the world

strongly admire.

On this note, America is known to have either declared or participated in war. Stated in

Global Research, “Since the United States was founded in 1776, she has been at war during 214

out of her 235 years of existence.” One of the most well known battles the United States has

engaged in is the Vietnam War. Let’s start by going over how the United States was involved with

Vietnam during this point in time. The Southern Vietnamese wanted to remain independent and

did not want to be dictated by the Northern Vietnamese which was a communist government.

America offered to help the south and claimed to protect their citizens and military against their

own government.

Therefrom, the United States wanted to help the south overthrow the government of

Vietnam which would give America power and control over their land and sea ports. These ports
are one of the main entries into the Asian continent meaning if we would have won this war we

would have dominance over the Vietnam land and entries into Asia. Seeing that the south lost to

the north, poverty, suffering and death was settled down into their lives causing them to escape.

In line with my personal life, my father is a refugee from Southern Vietnam and experienced

destruction to his home and was stripped away from essential materials to survive.

As for the others who did not escape, were exposed to chemicals and radiation that were

emitted in the air, soil and water from the United State’s bombs. According to Legacies of War,

“From 1964 to 1973, as part of the Secret War operation conducted during the Vietnam War, the

US military dropped 260 million bombs.” This caused cancers, birth deformities, skin disorders,

diseases, and psychosocial effects on those who lived there. In other words the United States

caused much more destruction than good onto Vietnam’s land for the fact of them manipulating

the south for their resources.

To that end, I believe America has engaged in wars for the main purpose of power and

money. Winthrop mentioned in his sermon, “If our hearts shall turn away, so that we will not

obey, but shall be seduced, and worship other Gods, our pleasure and profits, and serve them; it is

propounded unto us this day, we shall surely perish out of the good land.” All in all, I strongly

encourage you to reflect on what America has become and the true meaning of Winthrop’s idea

of a shining city upon a hill.