Berkley Center

Opportunity is the American way. Whether it is giving the educational foundation that enables us to have the opportunity of success, the freedom to vote for political figures, become activists for civic causes, or the ability to speak our minds without fearing repercussions. Over the past several years, we have seen a rise in riots and outbursts of public decry in places across the world where there is a lack of freedom and a lack of opportunity. We need to look no further than to the Arab Spring or the Elections in Iran to see examples of these events in the media, and around the world.

Here in America, however, no matter what political persuasions we may have, we always unite behind the value of freedom and opportunity. In our country, if you disagree with a policy or the direction we as a country are heading in, you have the freedom to vote for whomever you may please, and the opportunity to become part of the civic process, to put yourself in the civic battleground and run to become a civil servant yourself. From different economics and social backgrounds, all Americans across the country, have time and time again shown the world that when freedom is in sight, when opportunities are available, citizens will rally to these causes. They will fight for them, they will rise up to them, and they will champion freedom.

These values that we all share have transcended the mere continental borders of our great nation – they have found their way to the internet, to the waves of social media that have taken over the media across the world, and they penetrate even the deepest levels of cultural solitude. These values are no longer values that solely unite America; they are now values that unite us all.