<p>Prompt: Should people take more responsibility for solving problems that affect their communities or the nation in general?</p>
<p>Oftentimes, individuals will attempt to accomplish goals that are much too large in scope, resulting in more harm than good. People should take responsibility for solving problems that directly affect their community, because these efforts will collectively result in a stronger nation.</p>
<p>Throughout history, there have been many instances when individuals worked for their communities, which had even greater widespread effects than intended. For example, in the late 1800s, cartoonist Thomas Nast used his political cartoons in Harper's Weekly to draw attention to the corrupt Tweed Ring that was controlling politics in New York City. Eventually, the ring was brought down, and the citizens in other communities noticed similar situations in their cities. Soon, local governments throughout the country were becoming more democratic through the widespread elimination of these groups. Additionally, during World War I and World War II, many of the efforts to help the United States during the wars were carried out by families and individuals working to help their community. Families grew victory gardens to help with the food supply and war bonds were bought as an investment in the family. The aggregate sum of these localized efforts was assistance in victory of the Allied Powers. Thus, both Thomas Nast and families during the two world wars were successful in bringing change by taking responsibility for their communities.</p>
<p>Literature also provides a wealth of examples where people successfully work toward strengthening their community. In John Steinbeck's "Cannery Row" for instance, the tight-knit community on the California coast functions by everybody looking out for the other citizens. By offering their advice and services freely, the citizens of Cannery Row are able to create an ideal community where disagreements are minimized and poverty is obsolete. Furthermore, in Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird", Atticus Finch works to fight racial prejudice in his southern community by representing an unfairly accused African American man in court. By doing so, he sends a message of equality to the citizens of the town that is much more personal than if he would have taken action on a national level. Atticus in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and the citizens of Cannery Row both serve to represent the effectiveness of people taking responsibility for problems in their communities.</p>
<p>Today, many citizens work through different charities and organizations to effectively build their communities. Groups such as Habitat for Humanity help the less fortunate by providing homes, and service organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America allow people the opportunity to teach and inspire the youth of their town. Each of these groups serves a purpose in strengthening their community on a personal level, things that can't be accomplished by a distant national government in Washington DC. It is up to citizens of communities to work to carry out the interests of their city.</p>
<p>When people act to improve the well-being of their community, not only is the act more personal but more effective because the individuals are familiar with the beliefs, attitudes, and customs in their town. If citizens work to build communities throughout the country, the nation as a whole is strengthened.</p>