The Influence Of Identity In America

In the novel Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the characters create a false identity in order to fulfill their predestined roles in relationships, families, and communities; ultimately revealing an individual’s need to conform to society’s expectations.

     Identity is one of the main questions throughout all of our readings, because it is hard for people to accept who they are in society. Accepting their identity as a minority with little if any freedoms

The American Identity. Such a broad term for such few words. Americans all have one thing in common. Whether you were born into riches or raised in the slums we all have have faced our struggles and persevered through them.

The colors of red, white, and blue reflect the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness established over two centuries ago by the nation’s forebearers. Being American is about anticipating change and being provided with the environment to dream. Americans have dreamed of a more equal union, where Women obtain the right to vote and African Americans are social equals. The country’s images of Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller inspire the American dream, where individuals are not satisfied with their socioeconomic standing and have the opportunity to progress. Furthermore, only a minor portion of the United States population is of Native American descent. Therefore, the United States is a country of immigrants,

In the early years of America’s foundation, a powerful air of uncapped potential, the desire for expansion and individual identification enamored the American people. Progress was inevitable as was cultural definition. But as time progressed, the feeling of unlimited strength, time and space transformed into something that, for better or worse, was no longer shared by later poets. Those of the “New World” came to realize that their world never really managed to leave behind the faults of the “Old.” Societal tension rose as different poets and authors struggled to pin down the direction of American culture and its ideals. When no solid idea was able to capture American culture adequately, the concept of an ever-evolving American identity

The world has become modern and global. Identification of the self is a complicated, though, an important problem of every individual. Self- identity is based on inner values and reflections on culture, politics and social interactions. The main point is that people label themselves to any particular group in the society (Worchel etc., 1998). According to Ferguson: “Identity commonly refers to which it makes, or is thought to make

Thesis: how reading and viewing of different texts has broadened my understanding of the world and how identity is a virtual tool which can empower individuals to excel in one way or another.

Our poster depicting past and present elements of american identity illustrates how american ideals have changed over time, and what major events impacted them. The signing of the declaration of independence brought about the first ideals of the american identity, showing defiance of the monarchy and belief in democracy and representation. The constitution later solidified these beliefs in the second version of american governance, guaranteeing the rights of the american people and providing the basis for current american beliefs. The 19th century saw america blossom into the industrial revolution and the creation of working class.

The Revolutionary War resulted in the independence of the American colonies from the British Empire. It arose from an era of increasing tensions between the British and their colonial subjects. Before, the colonists were proud subjects of the greatest empire in the world at the time. However, after the French and Indian War resulted in a British victory, opinions changed with the ensuing actions of the British government. A new American identity had started to intensify after the French defeat, and the colonists resented being heavily taxed in order to pay for the expenses of the war. Controversial taxes and laws, such as the Stamp Act, Townshend Act, and Quartering Act, further united the colonists against the British; they felt they were all suffering through common grievances. This unity contrasted with initial colonial interactions before the era; previously, they were divided among cultural and regional lines, and yet by the time of the war they had formed a linked, American identity. The American identity, formed through shared experiences and grievances, made it possible for them to unite and declare independence from Britain as an independent nation. Separatism in today’s world is more complicated, the power of uniting various factions through common goals and perceived injustices has continued to make its mark. For example, an unpopular presidency often manages to unite a diverse group of Americans against the president. Despite their differences such as race, gender, wealth, and interests, people are united by their common opposition to his president’s policies. This occurrence is the epitome of civil disobedience, and is essential for change as it was during the American Revolution.

Although through the trial and hardships, from 1492 to 1877 the core of the American identity, the frontier had a constant presence through the years, but through the founding of Jamestown and Plymouth, the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin’s virtues, letters, Abolitionist, such as William Garrison, Fredrick Douglas, and the civil war, the definition of American identity as the ‘frontier’, grew and developed into something that defines what it means to be an American.

What does it mean to be american? The heritage of the american society plays a major role. Sadly though the american heritage is getting left behind. The americans are forgetting about the heritage and our american identity is in a crisis. We must solve this crisis and inform the american people about their past ancestors. In “America’s identity crisis” we learn about how modern day people don’t care to learn about their ancestors. In “America’s identity crisis solved” we learn about what we can do knowing about our ancestors and also what we should do. Americans are losing track of their heritage and are focusing more about keeping their generations alive and healthy. In a project in 2007, 2,421respondents

Americans have identified themselves not by race, religion and ethnicity, but by common values and belief in individual freedom. That’s what Google says that American identity is, but people see American identity as many different things. People have different thoughts and different opinions on things especially in America where we have such a vast variety of people. The person next to you could have the total opposite opinion as you on something. The American identity is kinda confusing because it’s not just one specific thing it’s many things.

Human life is characterized by the desire to find out its real identity and purpose. Thus, all individuals yearn to find out their purpose in the social group in which they exist. In addition, they hope to create a unique identity by which they can be identified and distinguished from other members of the social order. According to sociologists, there is no prevailing social theory that accurately provides the answer to the two social quests. Paul Froese, in his book On Purpose, aims to take me the reader on a journey to self-discovery. In Identity Troubles, Anthony Elliot addresses the identity issue whereas Christian Smith caps it all with his publication To Flourish or Destruct. When putting together these readings, I develop a different perspective towards themselves as it happened to me.

Throughout the years, identity as an idea has been explored invariably. These pieces make the viewer consider themselves, a place, or even a nation, through various different techniques.

There are various kinds of identity (individualized or shared) that people are expected to possess. (Hollinger, 2004) namely; personal identity which is known as a