The 2008 presidential election was the first time in my thirty-five years of life that I was proud to be an American. I was raised in a religion that strictly forbids participation in our earthly government, but rather encourages dedication to our Creator. As I became an adult and left this religious organization, my continued refusal to participate became a deeply personal choice and preference. As a bi-racial American, how could I respect a government that for so many years not only permitted but encouraged the mistreatment of minority groups? How could I pledge allegiance to a flag that to me represented the brutality and inequality I had come to despise? I have never considered myself anti-American, but I have preferred to consider myself passive or perhaps disengaged. I have never taken the Pledge of Allegiance in my life. I have never sung the US national anthem. I have never raised the American flag on a flagpole. I never thought about joining the armed forces to defend my country. Having the opportunity to vote for a bi-racial president forced me to reevaluate my beliefs and values. That day, thanks to that one opportunity, I changed. As a child I never questioned the religious beliefs that forced me to be an outcast when all the children took the Pledge of Allegiance every morning at school. As an adult, those religious beliefs became less important, but the stories of racism and struggle that my family had shared with me over the years were still engraved in my heart. America had failed my family, generation after generation, and in doing so America had failed me. It always shocked me when people said, “slavery and racism existed a long time ago, you shouldn't hold a grudge, just forget about it… middle of paper… rally the American consensus. I am proud of what my country did that day and I have the satisfaction of knowing I was part of it. The hope for my future as an American is much brighter, and I have a positive vision for the future of children as American citizens. Now I can have faith in the process of our political system and I have renewed faith in my country. I write to our soldiers who are fighting for us overseas and can express my gratitude to them for risking their lives day after day. However, I still do not say the Pledge of Allegiance or sing our National Anthem. I have a deeper respect for what this nation stands for and the changes that have been made over the years. I am now a happier person and am able to respect the patriotism of those around me. I am a better person and the American people have helped me become that way.