Symbols of America and its history are an essential part of explaining who we are and what happened in our

passed. From the Lincoln memorial, to Yosemite National Park, every landmark has stood for those very important

qualities of America. Additionally to that list, the penny said my many, is a national monument that we look at every

day and truly take for granted. It gives us guidance to remember what our nation was built on and improve on the life

that our forefathers have gives us. Although some people view the penny as insignificant, in reality it is an essential

part of our economy and inspires average Americans to always know what this country has been founded on.

While some people falsely believe that the penny is insignificant to our heritage because of its reminder of

Americas appalling past, the penny is actually a reminder of the adversity Americans have faced and how far we

have progressed as a nation. With billions of dollars a day being used through the United States, the money in your

pocket may seem like a small amount. But that money is th the story of an average middle class American. It has

allowed for hundreds of years of prosperity for the rest of America because of how important they are to the nations

economy. But that isnt the true story of America. The true story of America is one filled with liberty, hope, equality

and an accomplish anything attitude where you can actually achieve your dreams no matter how cliche that seems.

The penny represents the first step towards equality where Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation (F). This

first step allowed future civil right activists like Martin Luther King jr. to ignite a movement that's goal was to include

everyone under the same law guaranteeing liberty Not a coincidence, liberty is firmly but modestly engraved onto the

front of the penny which is a direct representation of the Nations values (G). This can easily be viewed as it is

adjacent to Lincoln signifying the equality he brought to everyday American life.Therefore, when we Americans open

up wallets and purses, we are in constant reminder of our countrys past and values which is why the penny is so

beneficial to our current and future generations. Naysayers of the penny believe that the penny reminds us of our

nations appalling and hostile past that still divides our nation upon geographic and social lines today like the racial

divide among different social groups in America. Some argue that the only way to unite America is to look nowhere

but the future where improvements can be made. That the racism exemplified in our past is the reason of racism

today. In reality, the penny represents the turning point in racial injustice. Lincoln gave hope to millions of people

and arguably made the best decision in American history when signing that proclamation and supporting the 13th,

14th, and 15th amendment. We need to learn about our past to ensure that we do not repeat the wrongs of our
forefathers. Isnt that what weve been told whenever we mentioned to our teacher that history is useless

knowledge? The penny helps us remember the wrongs so we can improve upon them and turn those wrongs into

rights. This provides inspiration to future generations of American as it becomes their turn to lead this great country.

If we remove the penny we would be limiting our kids and grandchildren of valuable information on our

nations identity. Currently, our nation is at a crossroad of determining our identity and sharing it with the world

because of recent events in the news that have shaped our country like the ban on seven Muslim countries . Some

Americans want to limit the spread of liberty and equality and withhold it from innocent women and children. Though

our nation has been a refuge and safe heaven for bringing the promise of a better life in the past, it is unwilling to let

some people from certain ethnicities and countries experience those promised blessings. Founded on immigrants

like our ancestors, it refuses to retain that identity now when people are threatened with safety. The penny helps us

every day to remember that identity and why it needs not be abolished.