Is This Land Really Mine?

...

resources were all gone, the companies closed their doors leaving behind the community that depended on them for a living to fend for themselves. The psychological aspect of companies leaving towns left the people feeling left out of society because they had to depend on government assistance to make it day to day.

The song can still be relevant today because many of the same feelings that were evoked years ago still hold true today. Many Americans feel they are entitled to everything this country has to offer. The patriotism has turned into hate against anything that is not American. The same willingness that afforded many of the early Americans opportunities is still in many ways being preserved for only those that fit the American mold.

This Land Is My Land, though not intentionally, is used a patriotic song to bring together people under common beliefs. Although the artist’s vision was to include all people regardless of socio-economic status, it could also be viewed as being exclusive to those of different backgrounds. The psychological and historical values can be viewed in the same sense as they were viewed in the 1940’s. Even though the circumstances may be different and Americans are more progressed as a whole, there is still an issue of divisiveness that needs to be addressed before the land can truly feel as if it belongs to you and me.

Works Cited

ArtsEdge, The Kennedy Center. "The Kennedy Center: ARTSEDGE - The National Arts and Education Network."N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2016.

Woody Guthrie . “This Land is Your Land.” Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc & TRO-Ludlow Music, Inc, 1956.