Abraham Lincoln .. Louis Armstrong .. Hank Williams .. Emily Dickinson … Jackie Robinson .. Bob Dylan .. Eleanor Roosevelt .. Clarence Darrow .. Herman Melville … Howard Hawks

Regards, Thom (Great Britain)

All the Americans I know are wonderful people…So it’s difficult as an outsider to see what’s happening in your country and wonder who all these idiots are. I guess every country has it haters and ugly side. People who have a sense of entitlement and think they are superior are those I tend to avoid like the plague – but if they’re running the place, they can be very hard to ignore.

Dianne Gray (Australia)

Thank you so much to everyone who responded to my question When I think of America, I think of…

The first two comments shown above are ones from outside the Unites States, and I was deeply moved by their focus on the people we are rather than the headlines we currently create. Thank you, Thom and Dianne, for your thoughtful consideration of the question and your insights from across the oceans.

The following comments are from readers who are  American citizens and also had very thoughtful responses to the question When I think of America, I think of…

Freedom first, but then in recent years I have felt embarrassment and regret. Our system does not work the way we were taught in 7th grade civics, and I’m disappointed.

Robyn, Texas

the Constitution and Bill of Rights serving all our citizens EQUALLY and extended to guests of this country as they visit, work and study here, in what one hopes is safety.

Wayside Artist, Pennsylvania

Freedom … and we’re still working on it for everyone.

Bob Slatten, South Carolina

Freedom! and to be proud of our country and her leaders…its pretty simple- or i use to think it was.

Cindy, South Carolina

 . hope. I just can’t allow myself to believe that a country that elected Barack Obama, supported healthcare for all, recognized the importance of protecting our environment, and worked to guarantee that two people who love each other can marry can let hate win. At least, I don’t want to allow myself to believe that. So I cling to hope.

Miss Harper Lee, Louisiana

When I think of America, I think of a nation that is deeply troubled and divided – a nation at a moral crossroads desperately in need of  courageous leaders who will speak up and right our ship of justice and equality for all that is being blown about by winds of hatred and bigotry.

Now is the moment – a house divided against itself like the city we saw in Charlottesville, Virginia cannot stand.