Different Views On American Identity

To what extent had the colonists developed a sense of their identity and unity as Americans by the eve of the Revolution?

Patriotism is not something that you see a lot of in Urban Communities. A lot of urban homes don’t teach their children about being patriotic. Many believe this is still a “white man’s country” In the Article “Urban Perspective: Flag –waving and Patriotism Far From the Whole Truth; Part 1” Author Larry Aubry a longtime community activist he believes that a lot of Black Americans have mixed feelings about patriotism due to the past and present treatment of African Americans in America. America gives off the perception that the house with the white picket fence, dog and two kids is the “American Dream”. In fact many people in urban communities don’t even own their homes. In the Article “Reinventing America Call for a New National Identity” by Elizabeth Martinez she believes that “White America” makes us believe they settled America for all people. In reality that is not true because the Native American had already settled here. Patriotism is something that I hope to see being instilled in the next generation of urban youth, but not force upon them. David Noise who is an author and activist tells us in his article “Is American Patriotism Getting Out of hand” he believes that patriotism is something that should not be force to the point that it causes a division it should be something that brings us together as a whole. Sept 11th was a tragic event where patriotism for our country brought us all together as one. I believe in the future we will see a change in

“Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave. O'er the land and of the free, and the home of the brave.” These words from our beloved national anthem, are words that this country chooses to live by. Ladies and gentlemen will remove their caps, and then all rise for the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. Most Americans have become comfortable about this right and pleasure that we have. To be able to show respect for the ones who aren’t here, and can’t even stand to do so. One professional American football player had another agenda for this time. He decided to kneel instead of stand like we have all become accustomed to. In my generation, we take our freedom and rights for granted. We do this, because we never had

From the very birth of the nation, the “American Identity” has been here. It has changed as we grew as a nation, slowly starting to represent not only American born citizens, but to represent the immigrants who moved here with their own hopes and dreams. The American Identity can be defined as a fluid, ever changing idea that has changed over time to represent the ideals of immigrants, as well as people we perceive as different.

There has been an ongoing debate on whether or not America has an identity or not, or if it even had one to begin with. America, though ever changing, certainly has an identity. Throughout time America has become a melting pot for different cultures, and while some may argue that this leaves us without an identity, in reality it adds to it. Few can say they have as diverse a country as America does, and this is a huge part of the American culture or identity. America has always had a distinct identity, and it has seldom changed throughout the years.

How should one define the American Identity? The American Identity should be defined as multicultural individuals who commit to similar common values, ideas, beliefs, and personal freedom rather than being defined by race, ethnic identity, and religion. Our common values, ideas, and beliefs depend on the core structure of the American government: the Constitution, which provides freedom, equality, and independence. Since America is very diverse due to the constant flow of immigrants from all over the world, there is no such thing as being a pure American. Everyone’s background lies somewhere else. Therefore, our identity would be defined by our common ideology and common values instead of our ethnicity and religion. Our common values and ideologies are largely influenced by mass communication through the media and popular culture. With the rise of globalization and youth culture, popular culture has been the largest influence on an American identity through sports, television, and social media. Because of the constant need of entertainment in society provided through pop culture, the American people are brainwashed by pop culture. They have forgotten their common values and core ideas that created the American identity.

Since the time of the American Revolution, people always asking “What is an American?-Today, Americans tend to believe the religion and the politics of government have had the biggest impacted on American identity because it has introduced a new system structure nations, cultures, and the Enlightenment's ideas to form the United States.

The “American Identity” as I perceive it is to have a state of mind to be part of the American culture. The “American Identity” is about (no matter what your race is) living in America and physically taking part of the American culture. The adjective “American” means a native or inhabitant of North America or South America.

The American identity is different for everyone depending on where you came from and who you are today. Lots of immigrants moved to America seeking a better lifestyle and during that process they developed their own identity. There are many different cultures that moved to America some had hard times and some had great experiences. My ancestors migrated from Poland, they had many successes and many conflicts while moving to America that created their own identity.

Americans have not only defined themselves by their religious, ethnic and racial identity, but also by their individual freedom and common values. America has become a nation where its people can fight for what they believe in. Our founding fathers have formed America to be “the land of the free and the home of the brave”. Being apart of the American culture and living on the land founded by our leaders specifies the meaning of the American Identity.

This section also helped me to see the connection between nature and the American identity. The American identity is truly defined by being successful in the most independent way an individual possibly can. Many try to achieve the American identity through nature, but McCandless was the only one to truly be successful in this endeavor. He obtained this success through his independent nature, which others lacked. Some, like Carl McCunn, were too dependent on others to survive out in the wild. Others, like John Waterman, had mental illness or other such mental troubles that may have made them excessively reckless with their personal safety. While Chris did depend on others at some times and could be somewhat reckless, he was not as extreme as

Additionally, America is also known for being a free place. It is known that everyone must be treated equally and have their own rights. For example, part of the American identity is being known for practicing democracy. People being free, having their rights protected, and having equal treatment is what makes up the American identity. Those three factors are still going on meaning that the American identity is still alive and nothing has changed it at all. Another reason why the American identity is still alive because part of someone’s identity is again being know for something or influencing something. Another example, is that many people have immigrated to the United States for the American dream. That is a huge contributor to the American identity because it has influenced many people to come. The American dream is still alive so the American identity is still

American identity has been created by many events throughout the course of history. This country was founded on the clashing and mixing of many different cultures and lifestyles. One of the most important periods of time for this country was during the period of conflict between Americans and Native Americans over land rights. Americans had an idea of manifest destiny and that this land was theirs for the taking. The Americans were going to walk through anyone who opposed them in this quest for land. The treatment of the Indians during this time period was harsh, cruel, and violent to say the least. It is in this treatment that Americans came to view the Indians as a ?racialized other? and

The urban planners built communities, roads, stores, centers etc., under the vision of the American Identity. Families could choose to practice a religion, go to a school of their preference, and be treated fairly. Every July 4th, individuals celebrate this great country, America, and their involvement in the American Identity. The analysis of the American Identity is portrayed through four fundamental principles that support the right to “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, those being religion, education, equality, and freedom.

The concept of American national identity has been one of the founding structures that unifies the group of people that that call and consider themselves to be American. Since the “founders” of this nation settled in New England their patriotism has been celebrated. The legendary story of how the Puritan Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock seeking religious freedom is often taught to young children as a way to help them learn one of the key narratives in the formation of the nation. The story is even more glorified when linked to the greatly loved holiday of Thanksgiving, where the peaceful Pilgrims eat a peaceful meal with the friendly Indians. However, it is never told of how the friendly Indians were betrayed, used, degraded, and in many cases, defeated by the peaceful Pilgrims. During the 19th century, a time of Indian removal and other forms of structural oppression, William Apess addressed how that portion of history was neglected to be told and therefore took matters into his own hands to give the proper historical moment to Native Americans. The hidden and untold story of violence of the Pilgrims continues to this day.