I Didn't Feel Particularly Close To My

Patriotism Is Best Exemplified Through Auto-critique.

Where Do Real Conversations About Citizenship Occur? In Our Schools. Think About The Things You Learned In First Grade. "my Country 'tis Of Thee," "i Pledge Allegiance To The Flag," "america The Beautiful."

For As Long As I Can Remember, I Have Been Passionately Intrigued By 'africa,' By The Word Itself, By Its Flora And Fauna, Its Topographical Diversity And Grandeur; But Above All Else, By The Sheer Variety Of The Colors Of Its People, From Tan And Sepia To Jet And Ebony.

In 1957, When I Was In Second Grade, Black Children Integrated Central High School In Little Rock, Arkansas. We Watched It On Tv. All Of Us Watched It. I Don't Mean Mama And Daddy And Rocky. I Mean All The Colored People In America Watched It, Together, With One Set Of Eyes.

Instill Respect For Teachers.