--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have a bunch of American citizens who…" description: "\"We have a bunch of American citizens who step up because that's what we do. We'll step up and go across the world to help people out. When it comes to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22f/ed-reed-5335_american_we-have-a-bunch-of-american-citizens-who_51580.png" --- # We have a bunch of American citizens who step up because… ![“We have a bunch of American citizens who step up because that's what we do. We'll step up and go across the world to help people out. When it comes to our own backyard, it's always a different conversation.” quote by Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22f/ed-reed-5335_american_we-have-a-bunch-of-american-citizens-who_51580.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22f/ed-reed-5335_american_we-have-a-bunch-of-american-citizens-who_51580.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22f/ed-reed-5335_american_we-have-a-bunch-of-american-citizens-who_51580.png) > “We have a bunch of American citizens who step up because that's what we do. We'll step up and go across the world to help people out. When it comes to our own backyard, it's always a different conversation.” [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker highlights a paradox where Americans readily volunteer abroad but are reluctant to address domestic issues, suggesting a mismatch between altruistic actions and local responsibility. **In simple terms:** Altruism abroad vs. domestic neglect Key Takeaway Patriotism can be selective Themes Patriotism Altruism Civic responsibility Domestic policy Global aid Mood Reflective Critical Concerned Type Observation Critique When to use this quote - International humanitarian missions - Local community debates - Political campaigns - Media commentary Key Concepts Moral inconsistency Public perception National identity Practical Applications - Policy advocacy for domestic investment - Community engagement programs Questions to Reflect On - Why might people feel more compelled to act abroad than at home? - How can societies translate global altruism into local action? A Different Perspective Some argue that the willingness to help abroad reflects a broader commitment to humanitarian values that also applies domestically, though the mechanisms differ. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american/) [American citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-citizens/) [Backyard Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/backyard-different-731919/) [Bunch American](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bunch-american-731918/) [Citizens Step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens-step-731917/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/go/) [Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help/) [Help people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-people/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Now, how do you explain Obama's claim, that he can kill American citizens without due process? Well, he has his attorney general get up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-mcgovern/now-how-do-you-explain-obama-s-claim-that-he-can-kill-american/) [Ray McGovern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-mcgovern/) > [You are an American, so you're hurt that other American citizens have been hurt, but you end up having to shoulder the shame for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/you-are-an-american-so-you-re-hurt-that-other-american-citizens-have/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [So after a long time of utilizing the American propaganda machine, along with official statements of lies, distortion and falsehood, the focus was basically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naji-sabri/so-after-a-long-time-of-utilizing-the-american-propaganda-machine/) [Naji Sabri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naji-sabri/) > [“It may sound reactionary, I know. But we can all feel it. We've changed the way we think of ourselves as citizens. We don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/it-may-sound-reactionary-i-know-but-we-can-all-feel-it-we-ve-changed/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [As long as my record stands in federal court, any American citizen can be held in prison or concentration camps without trial or hearing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-korematsu/as-long-as-my-record-stands-in-federal-court-any-american-citizen-can/) [Fred Korematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-korematsu/) > [Our Navy was very largely sunk. And we were at war in no time at all. I share, in retrospect, the distress we all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-a-rusher/our-navy-was-very-largely-sunk-and-we-were-at-war-in-no-time-at-all-i/) [William A. Rusher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-a-rusher/) > [A large portion of American citizens, especially people of color, have lost confidence in our criminal justice system. Many have called for appointing special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/a-large-portion-of-american-citizens-especially-people-of-color-have/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [Think of the undying glory that hangs around the ancient name of Africa and forget not that you are native-born American citizens, and as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-highland-garnet/think-of-the-undying-glory-that-hangs-around-the-ancient-name-of/) [Henry Highland Garnet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-highland-garnet/) > [“I am a citizen of this country,” I declare, “and Mr. Mayor, tonight I will be a citizen of this city when I put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-ash/i-am-a-citizen-of-this-country-i-declare-and-mr-mayor-tonight-i-will/) [Jerry Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-ash/) > [Having spent 37 years of my life in the military as a reservist, and never having met a gay in all of that time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-goldwater/having-spent-37-years-of-my-life-in-the-military-as-a-reservist-and/) [Barry Goldwater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-goldwater/) > [There's been a systematic propagandizing of American citizens for 30 years to make us forget what America is supposed to be and what our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/there-s-been-a-systematic-propagandizing-of-american-citizens-for-30/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [I want to say unequivocally that while I cherish every person who comes from anywhere, who comes here legally and seeks to pursue happiness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/i-want-to-say-unequivocally-that-while-i-cherish-every-person-who/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [Think about it: we went into slavery pagans; we came out Christians. We went into slavery pieces of property; we came out American citizens.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/think-about-it-we-went-into-slavery-pagans-we-came-out-christians-we/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [I'm not a doctor, nor am I a member of the military. What I am is an appreciative, concerned American citizen, who was horrified…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wahl/i-m-not-a-doctor-nor-am-i-a-member-of-the-military-what-i-am-is-an/) [Ken Wahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wahl/) ## More by Ed Reed > [To be playing in my first Super Bowl in New Orleans, it's special.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/to-be-playing-in-my-first-super-bowl-in-new-orleans-it-s-special/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [Sometimes I wake up and I think, where did my memory go? But at the same time, I signed up for it. Football has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/sometimes-i-wake-up-and-i-think-where-did-my-memory-go-but-at-the/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [Help each other, encourage each other, lift each other up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/help-each-other-encourage-each-other-lift-each-other-up/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [I always play the game a certain way, regardless of what guys say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/i-always-play-the-game-a-certain-way-regardless-of-what-guys-say/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [That's what being a human is about, leaving this place better than we got it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/that-s-what-being-a-human-is-about-leaving-this-place-better-than-we/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [I've just been playing football for a long time. I've been playing football since I was a little kid, so it's just some natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/i-ve-just-been-playing-football-for-a-long-time-i-ve-been-playing/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [The relationships I have in Baltimore will never change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/the-relationships-i-have-in-baltimore-will-never-change/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [Those inner-cities, they're not giving kids a chance. They're not giving the teachers a chance to really help those kids. They're making it real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/those-inner-cities-they-re-not-giving-kids-a-chance-they-re-not/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [Pretty much just stay humble. And continue to work hard and let the game come to me and try not to make even more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/pretty-much-just-stay-humble-and-continue-to-work-hard-and-let-the/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [I wasn't about one season, but career and longevity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/i-wasn-t-about-one-season-but-career-and-longevity/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [You know mental illness is one of the biggest problems in our world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/you-know-mental-illness-is-one-of-the-biggest-problems-in-our-world/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [I tried to go and get my master's in-season. That's a tough cookie to try to eat, but it's just a great thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/i-tried-to-go-and-get-my-master-s-in-season-that-s-a-tough-cookie-to/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [Especially in black communities, we've been so groomed to stay where we are and not like people in the other neighborhoods. It's crazy. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/especially-in-black-communities-we-ve-been-so-groomed-to-stay-where/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [I know I have the abilities to be a head coach or D-coordinator. It's something I wouldn't mind doing. But it's tough being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/i-know-i-have-the-abilities-to-be-a-head-coach-or-d-coordinator-it-s/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) > [When kids grow up into adults now... they learn that taking care of their body is like taking care of their car. You're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/when-kids-grow-up-into-adults-now-they-learn-that-taking-care-of/) [Ed Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) [Explore all 101 Ed Reed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/) ## More American quotes > [I wasn't attracted to American cinema, but I fell in love with Los Angeles the minute I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-wasn-t-attracted-to-american-cinema-but-i-fell-in-love-with-los/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. And an Irish writer who used to write for 'The New Yorker' called Maeve Brennan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-munro/william-maxwell-s-my-favorite-north-american-writer-i-think-and-an/) [Alice Munro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-munro/) > [I have fallen in love with American names, the sharp names that never get fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/i-have-fallen-in-love-with-american-names-the-sharp-names-that-never/) [Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/) > [I really like a lot of American country stuff, so my music has that influence, but I don't like to be set within a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-bird/i-really-like-a-lot-of-american-country-stuff-so-my-music-has-that/) [Jade Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-bird/) > [I certainly don't think that the heirs of the American Revolution were a particularly noble class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-brands/i-certainly-don-t-think-that-the-heirs-of-the-american-revolution/) [H. W. Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-brands/) > [Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in a tremendous investment to support millions of workers without a paycheck and behind on bills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-auchincloss/congress-passed-the-american-rescue-plan-act-in-a-tremendous/) [Jake Auchincloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-auchincloss/) > [Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and employ almost half of the working population. Yet because of their size, they rarely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-lipinski/small-businesses-are-the-backbone-of-the-american-economy-and-employ/) [Dan Lipinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-lipinski/) > [Although I write in English, and despite the fact that I'm from America, I consider myself an Armenian writer. The words I use are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-saroyan/although-i-write-in-english-and-despite-the-fact-that-i-m-from/) [William Saroyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-saroyan/) > [When we first sold the Wallace and Gromit shorts to America, people suggested we get rid of the strange British accents and put clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-park/when-we-first-sold-the-wallace-and-gromit-shorts-to-america-people/) [Nick Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-park/) > [Firefighters and rescue workers are American superheroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-kennedy/firefighters-and-rescue-workers-are-american-superheroes/) [Kerry Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-kennedy/) > [France has not only built a bureaucratic barrier against American culture, it has constructed a notorious intellectual case against it as well. The French…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/france-has-not-only-built-a-bureaucratic-barrier-against-american/) [Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/) > [New York and San Francisco are distinctly different. San Francisco is driving the American media, not New York. You have young, microwaved millionaires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-whitlock/new-york-and-san-francisco-are-distinctly-different-san-francisco-is/) [Jason Whitlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-whitlock/) > [Well look, CIA is an agency that has to collect intelligence, do operations. We have to take risks and it's important that we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/well-look-cia-is-an-agency-that-has-to-collect-intelligence-do/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) > [Food as a hobby used to be an elite pastime, and it has become something that is totally ordinary for people of every background.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-goodyear/food-as-a-hobby-used-to-be-an-elite-pastime-and-it-has-become/) [Dana Goodyear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-goodyear/) > [It's important for American soldiers to be culturally sensitive when deployed in foreign countries. But it's just as important for the U.S. never to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/it-s-important-for-american-soldiers-to-be-culturally-sensitive-when/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) [Browse all 7,717 American quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We have a bunch of American citizens who step up because that's what we do. We'll step up and go across the world to help people out. When it comes to our own backyard, it's always a different conversation.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ed Reed" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/we-have-a-bunch-of-american-citizens-who-step-up-because-that-s-what/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "American" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/we-have-a-bunch-of-american-citizens-who-step-up-because-that-s-what/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22f/ed-reed-5335_american_we-have-a-bunch-of-american-citizens-who_51580.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22f/ed-reed-5335_american_we-have-a-bunch-of-american-citizens-who_51580.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22f/ed-reed-5335_american_we-have-a-bunch-of-american-citizens-who_51580.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We have a bunch of American citizens who step up because that's what we do. We'll step up and go across the…” — Ed Reed", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ed Reed", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-reed/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We have a bunch of American...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/we-have-a-bunch-of-american-citizens-who-step-up-because-that-s-what/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-reed/we-have-a-bunch-of-american-citizens-who-step-up-because-that-s-what/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```