--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have had a long held myth of American…" description: "\"We have had a long held myth of American exceptionalism.\" — Lisa Ling" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/742/lisa-ling-10931_american_we-have-had-a-long-held-myth-of-american_1930446.png" --- # We have had a long held myth of American exceptionalism. ![“We have had a long held myth of American exceptionalism.” quote by Lisa Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/742/lisa-ling-10931_american_we-have-had-a-long-held-myth-of-american_1930446.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/742/lisa-ling-10931_american_we-have-had-a-long-held-myth-of-american_1930446.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/742/lisa-ling-10931_american_we-have-had-a-long-held-myth-of-american_1930446.png) > “We have had a long held myth of American exceptionalism.” [Lisa Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-ling/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. America is often portrayed as uniquely superior, a belief that persists over time. **In simple terms:** American exceptionalism is a long‑standing myth. Key Takeaway Question national narratives critically. Themes nationalism myth identity Mood critical analytical Type political historical When to use this quote - education - media - political debate Key Concepts political discourse historical narrative Questions to Reflect On - What evidence challenges this myth? - How does exceptionalism affect policy? A Different Perspective Myths can oversimplify complex realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american/) [American exceptionalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-exceptionalism/) [Exceptionalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exceptionalism/) [Held Myth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/held-myth-3018666/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Myth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myth/) [Myth American](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/myth-american-1672607/) [Storytelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storytelling/) ## Related quotes > [The human condition for the vast majority of people on this planet for the entire time of what humanity has been here has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/the-human-condition-for-the-vast-majority-of-people-on-this-planet/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [We don't have to apologize for American exceptionalism or western values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/we-don-t-have-to-apologize-for-american-exceptionalism-or-western/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [ Even Republicans seem to think that these undocumented Democrats could be made \[GOP\] voters...and what happens is that two out every three that would… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-king/even-republicans-seem-to-think-that-these-undocumented-democrats/) [Steve King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-king/) > [ America's military is the best in the world, but this president \[Barack Obama\] is hollowing out our military. 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Eck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-l-eck/) > [Our patriotic fervor was the result of the old and widespread belief in the idea of American exceptionalism, the idea that America was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/our-patriotic-fervor-was-the-result-of-the-old-and-widespread-belief/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [The position of the Americans is quite exceptional, and it may be believed that no democratic people will ever be placed in a similar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/the-position-of-the-americans-is-quite-exceptional-and-it-may-be/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [American exceptionalism, in the broad sense, is not a bunch of braggadocious words people say, "Yeah, we're better people. We have a better country.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/american-exceptionalism-in-the-broad-sense-is-not-a-bunch-of/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Gone is any mention of American exceptionalism. I happen to believe that twice, three times in the 20th century, the United States saved Western…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/gone-is-any-mention-of-american-exceptionalism-i-happen-to-believe/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) ## More by Lisa Ling > [When did an old white guy yelling at me, telling me what to think become news? What gives him the right to tell me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-ling/when-did-an-old-white-guy-yelling-at-me-telling-me-what-to-think/) [Lisa Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-ling/) > [I have a zillion bottles of hot sauce. I love Trader Joe's jalapeno. 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