Review of Citizen USA: A 50 State Road Trip (2011) by Susan P — 22 Jul 2012

This is a great HBO documentary to watch after "Fair Game", which made me rather angry at America (but not necessarily all of it!). It's interesting, it looks at how people go through their citizenship ceremonies in all 50 states (every one is different).

The inspiration was director Alexandra Pelosi's husband, who is from Canada and became a citizen to feel more a part of his family. It wasn't terribly in-depth about the rules of how to become a citizen, statistics, that kind of thing.

It mostly focuses on interviews on what these new citizens love about America, why they're here, and it is thought-provoking at worst and makes one feel really great about America at best. I had a friend from Nigeria call me the first thing after he got his citizenship, I'll never forget his excitement, and I know someone going through the process right now.

It's a LOT of work. I thought the doc was great because it made me appreciate the good things about America, focusing on the now. Security (being able to call 911, freedom, the lack of terror, women's rights) and creature comforts (food quality, diversity, cars, houses) seem to be the main themes.

It's a good reminder that although things may such and may have sucked in many arenas, it's still an amazing country now that is unlike any other.