In a nation where the economy is barely hanging on, war is an everyday word now, millions live in poverty and the list goes on.

America is considered by many as a nation of immorality and sin. As a proud American and a supporter for our military, I do not deny this claim to an extent. America may be the greatest nation on earth but it is one divided, both by race and social class.

Race in America is a concern and can only be changed by the citizens of America. While many choose not to talk about race, it is something that should be brought up.

This is a nation were immigrants are abundant and still increasing every year. Almost 159 years after the American Civil War, we still judge one another by the color of our skin or where we come from.

How many more lives have to be lost in things such as gang wars and racial profiling in order to prove that there is a superior race? There is no superior race.There is one race called humans and until this nation realizes that, millions more are going to be lost.

It should be brought forth through out American that there should be no race, we are all Americans. It is also good to point out that most Americans are from other nations of the world. Another good point is the defenders of the U.S are fighting and giving their lives for us all, not just one group of people.

The final division of America is social classes. This division is perhaps the biggest problem America. The economy as of late has barely hung in there, which means prices are higher.

It amazes me how definitive classes are. In a recent report in Time an article said that there is no middle class anymore, there is just the wealthy and poor.

People who live in Martin or even my hometown of Savannah will tell you that gas prices are too high, the necessities prices are “ridiculous.” It is very hard to live in a place were the poor can barely afford to pay their bills. Another reason why it is difficult is because jobs are very hard too find in these areas.

This is the case in a majority of rural areas of America. A report in the New York Times indicated that the economy in the United States rates near the bottom of the ‘industrialized’ world. A worker in Britain, France or Sweden is more likely to “strike it rich” than their American counterpart. Class destinction in the United States now ranks alongside countries like Japan, Germany and Italy.

All of this brings up the question, “How can we fight a war, when we’re at war with ourselves?” It’s time for America to realize that we can’t last much longer if millions hate this nation and refuse to unite against them. There should be neither race nor class-division.

Why? We are all Americans and have a duty to stand up for this nation. To other nations we are known simply as “Americans.” How come we can’t recognize this instead of destroying the nation from within?

Students of UTM, it’s your turn to take a stand and say to the nation “We are one nation undivided, and we will not surrender, for we are one nation who believes in unity.” Patriotism means not allowing this great nation to be the first casualty of the next world war.