Who gets to define what “America” means? Politicians get a lot of air time. We wanted to hear what “the people” think. So in Fall 2021, we launched a contest asking UConn students to tell us what “America” means to them. We received a diverse array of responses in the form of short essays, creative writing, poetry, photography, and other forms of original artwork, from students across UConn’s schools and campuses. Of these, eight winners rose to the top based on their originality, creativity, and quality.

View the video below to hear Honorable Mention winner Jenna K. Trott read her poem “Because of the Brave” and discuss the inspiration for this work. 

“Because of the Brave”
Jenna K. Trott
Graduate School of Social Work
Class of 2023

Home of the free because of the brave
Because of the ones with something to say
The ones who challenged what’s “right”
Who stood up
And sat in
And joined in the fight.

Home of the free because of the brave
Because of the ones who helped pave the way
The Baldwins
The Parks
The Angelous and the Kings
And the ones who took on Uncle Sam in the ring

Home of the free because of the brave
Because of the ones without names to their graves
The ones who carried a nation on their back
Only for 200 years later be still under attack.

Home of the free because of the brave
Because of the ones knowing if Rittenhouse were black he wouldn’t be saved
Because of the Taylors
The Martins
The Rices and the Jones
And the ones unable to ever come home.

Home of the free because of the brave
Because of the ones fighting for a better tomorrow today
The ones waiting for Ms. Liberty’s kiss
For love
For life
For the pursuit of happiness.

Home of the free
Because of the brave
Because of those who stood their ground unafraid
The ones who pursue justice for all
For united we stand
And divided we fall.

 

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