I became a citizen of the United States yesterday. It was the usual thing - a quick interview with questions testing my knowledge of American government and history (easy ones, but one feels like it’s very important to get them all right, so one studies for the test, of course), three other questions that had to do with whether I was really the person who had applied for citizenship or perhaps my knowledge of spoken English, one sentence I had to write to test my written English. It took, I think, about seven minutes. The rest of the time I waited. And then all of us interviewed that morning took an oath, in which, among other things, we pledged to serve in the U.S. military if required by law. Yes, the oath is sentimental and a bit archaic.
But that’s probably as it should be: there is something momentous about becoming the citizen of a country as an adult. And sentimental too: everyone being sworn in was looking at their hands or even sniffling.
The one thing I wish they hadn’t done at the oath-taking ceremony is show this video.
On the other hand, it just reminded me of my favorite part of being an American citizen: I will be voting in the next election!
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