President Truman once said, “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand”. These thoughts still hold true today. Being an American means so much more than reciting the pledge of allegiance every morning at school. It is more than just watching fireworks on the fourth of July. So what does being an American truly mean? Although there are many different definitions, it is defined by many people as believing in the idea that no matter your race, gender, religion, or background, everyone is created equal and given the opportunity to live their life without fear of discrimination or oppression. America has been known throughout history as the the land of opportunity …show more content…
The American people have been falsely accused of being obnoxious, insufferable, vacuous, indolent, and discriminatory. Those who constantly slander and denounce the entire American population for the actions of a few simple-minded bigots are hypocritical and unjust. Individuals who continuously persecute minorities and condemn those who are different (the “simple-minded bigots” previously mentioned) are not truly American and disgrace the country they claim to be serving. For example, going around parading spiteful, propagandist signs and promulgating hate is heinous, unjustifiable, discreditable, and not what being an American is about. However, in America, even chauvinists have freedom of speech. Fortunately, that same right also gives the rest of the American people an opportunity to oppose and speak out against said chauvinists who attempt to preach their offensive propaganda in the name of God and on behalf of the entire United States population. God bless America. Being an American is not just defined as “someone who was born in America”. It is not solely ascribed or limited to a particular ethnic background. In fact, the diversity of America is one of the key aspects that makes this country so admirable. Throughout history, America has welcomed and accepted immigrants with the aspiration for opportunity and freedom.
The United States of America is a melting pot of various cultures, who wish to obtain one goal, the “American Dream”. Being an American means one is guaranteed by law to have natural rights, which are life, liberty, and property. In the government’s eyes, one must become a legalized citizen in the United States, to be considered as “American”, but there happens to be a deeper reasoning to be truly recognized as an American. Americans are seen equally, which allow most individuals to be successful in what they want to pursue. Many Americans show patriotism towards The United States of America by celebrating national holidays, and going to patriotic events.
An American is someone who doesn't rely on others for their individual happiness. Someone with the freedom to independently make decisions towards becoming a better person without conforming to society's standards/sentiments. Americans have equal rights no matter where they come from. “Of every hue and caste I am, of every rank and religion... I resist anything better than my own diversity,” (Whitman) Walt Whitman is saying that no matter the color of your skin, your rank/wealth in society, or your religion, you are just as equal as everybody else. We are all so different and diverse yet so equal. Although we are equal, we cannot rely on one another for our own happiness. “To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in
What is being an American? Being an American is a privilege that some people take for granted. Being an American means being loyal, free, complex, open-minded, and diverse. All five of these things help make America what it is today.
What does it mean to be American? Webster’s defines an American as: Of or relating to the United States of America or its people, language, or culture. My definition to be American means that you’re free. Free to say what you want. Free to choose your own religion. Free to vote for whom you want. Free to grow up and pick the occupation you desire. Free to go where you please. Free of being a slave to no one! Free to love whom you want. Most importantly, free to get a good education. Just being free period! As a child, I was taught those things to grow up and realize you’re not as free as they portray us to be.
On the other hand, what it means to be an American to some is much simpler than the Bill of Rights or the Amendments. To most, is is a very personal situation. Cody S., a ten year old from Wisconsin, says “Being an American means that we are all treated equally no matter what color skin
What does it mean to be an American? This question has infinite answers which vary depending on who one asks. The answer is not as simple as: "It means to live in the United States of America." It goes much deeper for a great number of Americans. For a true and faithful American, it also brings to mind pride, optimism, opportunity and much more. It means having human rights protected and enjoying the freedom to voice one’s opinions, pursue one’s dreams and make a better life.
The United States is a nation full of millions of different types of people. However, each of those people has one major thing in common; they are all Americans. Many people wonder what it takes to be a true American, but the answer is something not so difficult to determine. Essentially, being an American means to show patriotism and pride of the country, to be very fortunate compared to other countries, and unfortunately, to show a lack of appreciation for all the great things America provides.
What does it mean to be an American? To have freedom, liberty, or to live a life that is enjoyable? Damien Cave, a writer for the New York Times wrote, “ Americans tend to talk and laugh louder, tell their stories more freely, and to walk with purpose — even when heading in the wrong direction.” Cave is not wrong when saying these things. To be an American is to be able to live life to the fullest however seen fit, and when Americans mess up they know that it is not the end of the world because someone will be there ready to help.
An American is a man, a woman, a child who came to the U.S. and started to grow and flourish to become the men and women that feel pride for their country and the freedoms they have through salutes to the country and leaving behind their past heritage to become a citizen of the U.S. We as Americans have very well tried to become who we are today by not being prejudice and not being without freedoms. We strive to be the best we can by saying our pledge of allegiances and our doing as much as we can for our country. Just as my grandfather does every morning by saluting of the flag always hanging in his yard up high.
In America, there is the good American and the bad American. America is made up of citizens and immigrants. One of the negative traits of a bad American, would be discrimination. Americans, have always discriminate the people that have less. They tend to feel superior to others. For example, in the story, “America and I” by Anzia Yezierska, when the Russian immigrant arrived at the house of the Americanized family working as a servant, they made her felt less, not paying her what she deserved, discriminating her looks, and her illegal status. This Americans, were also once Russian immigrants, they became arrogant Americans, inheriting Americans traits. Some Americans, are individual that are materialistic and judgmental. They will make you feel bad for not having the same things as them. Americans, feel superior to other people, they will judge your way of living and even your illegal status. For example, our honorable President Donald J. Trump. He has not earned the respect of many Americans nor the title of a real American, but yet he has the power to make people feel scared, specially immigrants. He is a materialistic arrogant American, that has been feeling superior for being the President, when us the people have given him the power to be the President. He is as normal as us, but not as my definition as many of
Being an American means supporting a person’s individual freedoms. This also means valuing equality among everyone, whether it is with justice or with public facilities. These freedoms are all stated in the Constitution but that is not all to being an American. It also means being helpful and supportive of others. America also looks to be a leading figure in the advances of science.
Being an American is a difficult concept to grasp, but it is even harder to define what it truly means to be one. Being an American is something words cannot describe rather it is shown through one’s actions and it is a feeling from within. Although Americans often take their rights for granted, it is a common understanding how these rights are more like privileges. In fact, many Americans are fortunate enough to only be limited by self- restrictions. What an American can achieve is based on hard work, basically making the sky the limit. An American is a free citizen that has rights that enables he or she to do more for others, to bravely stand for what is right, and to selflessly sacrifice for those around.
Living as a Messianic Jew in America presents a threefold problem with culture. In many ways, I have my feet in three, dare one say four, differing cultures that are always fighting against each other. The first is an American culture which is moving more towards an atheistic culture and wants to bury its need for G-d under many differing ideas where a one person thinks they can make a difference by doing something of no value. The second culture is a Christian sub-culture. Christianity which has been the dominate religion for so long that many will think that being American makes one a Christian and thereby loses it value of meaning and salvation. Christianity second part of culture is the attempt to take over the culture and accepting it into the church service because many Christians feel a desperate need to be relevant. The third is a Jewish sub-culture. While Jews make up about 2% of the population and the religious jews make up less than a a fifth of Jews in America. Yet, the bonds to synagogue are closer to the Jewish
When I first thought of Who’s American Then my thought was a person or people who born in the United States are called American. All people or families who born and raised in the United States and citizens some enlisted in the military to support our country. My interpretation the concept of being American developed when I come here and see one’s who a legal citizen of the country and was born in the country. We can also say that an American as someone who chooses to respect the laws and ways of the American government.
Although the American image is lost due to different interpretations, to be an American has only one definition. To be an American means to love all people within the one united country. Coming together as one country is what makes the United States the strong country that it is known by today. Americans are people of any race or gender from any background, while loving the country that they reside in. Americans have been known for working hard to obtain what they are given. Americans are known to have trained to get to a certain place in life.