The Meaning of Being American What does it mean to be an American? Can this statement ever really be defined since America is a melting pot of different races, religions, political views, social views and so on and so fourth. To be an American can mean virtually anything and whether or not somebody supports national symbols is just another part of being and American. As Americans we have the right to disagree with the government, the right to protest against something unjust, the right to burn a flag in disgrace because after all we have freedom of speech. To some these things are un-American, but to others they are the reasons America is such a wonderful place to live. There is no definite answer to this question, but many …show more content…
Iraq is a perfect example. The Iraqis were in trouble and they needed help. It was our duty as Americans to go into Iraq and liberate the Iraqi people. As Americans it was and still is our duty to support this kind of war, as democracy is the best form of government and it should spread throughout the world. Along this same line, it is the duty of Americans to believe and support democracy to the fullest extent. Our for fathers gave their lives in the pursuit of democracy and to go against this would treason to an extent. As William Bennet said in his essay, “A Nation Worth Defending”, “American patriotism has always been rooted in love of the principles upon which the nation was founded: liberty, equality, justice, and democracy.” America is the greatest nation on Earth and we are privileged to be a citizen of it. America was founded on the principal of freedom: Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the freedom to choose who and what you want to be, these are all rights outlined in the bill of rights and the constitution. So, what does it mean to be an American? Well, it means that you support and accept people of different nationalities, political beliefs, religions and everything about another person’s culture. America is a country were “Freedom rings from sea to shining sea.” American is a place where people should be able to express themselves any way they want with out the fear of censorship or persecution. To be
What it means to be an American has nothing to do with race, gender, size, origin, etc. Being an American solely relies on how far we have came as a country to call the United States of America a home, how we have fought through blood, sweat, and tears; depressions, wars, and movements for rights. Being an American means there is freedom of religion so you have the right to believe in whatever suits you. Americans work with the opportunities given to us to not only better, as well as protect our homeland and retrieve knowledge to better our future, but Americans give up their own lives to help do the same thing for other countries as well.
The soil of the middle-east stained with the blood of our American soldiers just so we can not take advantage of our right to vote. Though sometimes questionable, America's overall image portrayed to other countries is an honorable one. America is known for its democracy and as well as being a land of opportunities and many freedoms. America's assortment of ethnicities and cultures is proof that our country is a desirable one. Wars are being fought at this very moment to defend these freedoms.
What does it mean to be an American? In my eyes to be an American means to have privileges, rights, and freedom. America isn't perfect, but it is one of the only countries that have rights given to people of different diversities and gender. America does not have tremendous poverty. Instead we have choices given to us by the people who fought and died for the American people. Without George Washington and the other patriots who planted the first seed in the ground and help plant the American nation we live in now who knows what America would be like now.
What it means to be American? Everybody you ask this question to will have a completely different response. Some responses might have similarities but none will be exactly the same. In the beginning of the year my response was “To be an American means having a rich history, having opportunities to better ourselves, and having freedoms.” Unfortunately not everyone has had the same opportunities or freedoms. Native Americans, who are indigenous, dealt with having their freedoms taken away, less opportunities even though they had rich history in this land before it was taken away from them. Look at what Zitkala-Sa endured. Not only that, but African Americans have fought long and hard for freedom and equality as well. W.E.B. Du Bois stood for
What does being an american mean to me? Being an american means that I have freedom to do things that I want,liberty,and the pursuit of happiness which the military fights for. Another thing I have is rights that means that I have choices to pick things that I want to do in life like pick a job or do whatever because of the military fighting for are country. I also have justice which means that things are fair and you have a fair trial if I go to court and can not just go to jail.
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
Do you consider yourself to be an American? Being an American is not just having a citizenship or living in America it is much more. America doesn’t just allow the people inside the country to stay, but America gives everyone a second chance at life and give them more opportunities. America has had a long strive for freedom and independence, making the opportunity of living here that much more special. In this essay I will be reading to you my thoughts of what it means to be an American. Bravery, honor, hope, and the freedom and equality of all Americans are the topics that I feel are most important.
To be an American can mean a lot of things to others, but one thing everyone has in common on what they think it means is to be free. It means you can vote for who and what you want. It means you can say “The Pledge of Allegiance.” It means you can have a good education and the job you want. It means to be proud in living in the United States of America. Being an American is having freedom and being able to do things with that freedom. It’s about having freedom of religion, rights, and justice. It also means having equality. To be an American means you have the right and freedom to do what you want. It means having the freedom of speech. It means you can be yourself. To be an American mainly means having freedom.
Many people dream about being an American. They dream because they envision America as the land of peace and prosperity. But is it? At times it has been, and at times its not. It is hard for the United States to be correct all the time because they have been unwilling designated as the “World Police”. Throughout history there have been examples politically, economically, and socially, where being an American is rewarding and times where it is embarrassing. To be an American means progress. We evolved from a world ruled by white men to a world of equal opportunity.
What does it mean to be an American? In today's day and age, the general perception of an American is to be free, free to practice any religion, free to speak your mind, free in general. However, America has only been able to be perceived as a promised land due to the obstacles and barriers that have been challenged by early Americans. From having to accept others religious beliefs to the abolishment of slavery. A good example is J. Hector St. John de Crevecoeur’s Letters from an American Farmer (1782). Letters from an American Farmer is a collection of twelve letters written from the perspective of a fictional character. These letters do a magnificent job at emphasizing on how America is similar to the environment and the people who feed
What does it mean to be an American? Being an American means to have pride, freedom, and equal opportunity. Ever since I was born I was an American but I didn't know what it actually meant. I used to feel left out because people were mean to me and I felt different. In America it doesn't matter if you are different or believe in different things.
Being an American means to have opportunities that are available to us that others don’t get in other parts of the world. The United States of America is a country that is based on being a free country for citizens to have more freedom than anywhere else. It is one of the only countries that give rights to people of different diversities and genders. To be an American means to have opportunities, rights, and freedom.
According to a survey on Debate.org, 20% of the people that voted say the United States has a moral obligation to promote democracy. The remaining 80% say that the United States does not have that obligation because, “the world can decide for itself.” I also agree, I feel like our government is not responsible for other countries, let alone the whole world. Our government should worry about its people first. Not every country shares the share belief, nor do they want to. “The effort
What does it mean to be an American? From my point of view, I think being an American isn’t about going to barbecues or going out to a baseball or football game, eating hot dogs and nachos. It isn’t about where you go, it’s the way you experience it with others. Take holidays for instance, do you celebrate holidays just for the sake of doing it? Or do you celebrate holidays to spend time with your loved ones, talking about the last time you all went on a camping trip or actually eating a whole meal together, conversing with each other like a family.
The United States has long been a champion of promoting democracy to the world. Since the end of the Cold War, democracy promotion has ascended to the forefront of United States foreign policy objectives. To give a basic definition of democracy, I will refer to the definition of Freedom House, which essentially says democracies must allow all its citizens the right to vote, run for office, join political parties and also provide basic civil liberties such freedom of expression, rule of law and freedom to assemble. (Freedom House) These are in essence the minimum requirements needed to pronounce a country democratic.