Beautiful flaws

by Brooklyn Pincock
Youth Winner, Blanding’s 250 Celebration essay contest
Living in San Juan County, it’s hard to forget about America’s natural beauty. From the tranquil mountains to the sun-soaked arches, there are constant reminders. But with the competition of over 60 national parks across the country, we can hardly claim a monopoly on stunning scenery.
Theodore Roosevelt said it well, “Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance of a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children.”
There is great value in cherishing the undeniable beauty in our country. However, there is another kind of beauty that I find even more impressive. It is the beauty beneath America’s surface. It is the beauty in America’s people, in its boldness, and in its flaws.
For 250 years, our country has stood strong even when surrounded by oppression. It has survived foreign wars and internal wars. It has survived nearly constant division. Over 342 million people live in this country. Each one of those people has different opinions, priorities, and values. Some are only slightly different, others are radically so.
It would be a lie to say that these people live in perfect harmony. Conflict has been written in America’s story since the beginning. Yet at some of the darkest times in our history, people have set aside their pride, lifted each other up from the dust, and started to rebuild. I believe that our differences, even our disagreements, have made this country beautiful.
In this world, our freedom is the exception, not the rule. Particularly in America’s first years, many thought our radical government structure was doomed to fail. It was formed in a world filled with monarchies and dictatorships. It was formed by revolutionaries, not politicians. It was formed to serve its people, not enslave them. America is beautiful because it does not fit the mold of what a country should look like. It is an outlier with good reason and without apology.
It is important to note that America’s beauty does not equate to perfection. The road to our ideals is filled with obstacles, and at times this country has stumbled. Throughout America’s history, thousands of people have been mistreated, shunned, and excluded. From their sorrowful vantage points, America may have seemed far from beautiful. The trials these people faced or are still facing cannot be ignored, and they cannot be excused. Even at its worst, this country has always been worth saving.
The men and women who have stood up against injustice knew this. They would not waste time fixing this country if they thought it was beyond repair. Yes, America still carries scars, and yes, some are self-inflicted. But scars indicate more than suffering. They indicate strength.
This country is beautiful because it is strong, and it’s strong because of the men and women who have believed in it, despite its flaws. As long as those people keep fighting for the future, this country will always be America the Beautiful.