What characteristics do you think constitutes an American? Is it self-pride? No, it is pride for personal heritage, the heritage of other and the willingness to accept and overcome the differences between them. It’s the way we show and appreciate every single individual no matter their race or the language they speak. An American is not defined by where you come from, but rather by the qualities of acceptance, tolerance, and determination. America is the melting pot of the world where different cultures are co-mingled and accepted by many. John McCain emphasizes the importance of working for each other, not yourself in Veteran’s Day Never Forget Their Duty. “Provide for people who want to work and succeed.” It is no secret America is known to be a wealthy country where hard-working individuals can prosper, but if faced with difficult situations and hard times, other Americans will be there to support you. Returning war veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) receiving free or volunteer mental service is a great example. This idea of our melting pot acceptance is also appeared in …show more content…
People from around the world want to live the American Dream too. In the Address on the Occasion of the Fifteenth Anniversary of the State of Liberty. Franklin D. Roosevelt acknowledges this, “by their effort and devotion, they made the new world’s freedom safer, richer, and more capable of growth.” Out history and our stories have paved the way for those coming to America and we need to keep this momentum going. Anzia Yezierska expresses this same message in America and I. “I’d be a creator, a giver, a human being! My work would be the living job of the fullest self-expression.” Not only would Yezierska make something of herself, but she’d be giving her time and devotion to others. She is the perfect definition of a true
Since this great country was first established many intuitive minds have tried to answer the question; "What is an American". This country is full of individuals of many backgrounds, and diversities and each person has a different opinion on this question. In my opinion, an American is someone who values freedom and equality and pursues the "American dream." Every American exercises these rights and these are great adjectives to describe our country. Each of the seven readings, and the one image I compiled help mold this broader definition into a more precise description of an American.
The only universal requirement is to live in America, but after that just about anything goes before someone is considered an american. But with this in mind there are a few similarities that stand out to me. The biggest one is that americans know what they want, and they will do whatever it takes to achieve it. They don’t let anyone stand in between them and their dream. Americans and often focussed and determined to get what they see as theirs. That dream or that focus often differs from person to person. One person dream may be to own the big fancy house will all the nice cars, while their neighbors dream is to simply be able to feed their family. Another person’s only wish in life might be to work their entire life to get ahead of the competition, but their neighbor might only want to be able to marry the person they love. Everyone is different and unique and that’s what helps America as a whole run the way it does. If everyone was the same race, and the same religion, and had the same dream, there would be no passion in life. People wouldn’t find a cause that makes them different from everyone else, because there would be no being different. Everyone would be the same and we wouldn’t have the need for the freedoms that makes America what it is because no one would want them. If being an american meant being one specific thing, being an american would be
In Aniza Yezierska’s story “America and I” she indicates “I pushed from my head the worry for wages.” She is working hard for food and a roof over her head. She realizes that she doesn’t have to worry about wages if she has a roof over her head and food to eat. This quote is similar to one written by John de Crevecoeur in “What is an American.” She states “Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labours and posterity will one day cause great change.” This talks about people from foreign lands coming to America and making a great difference. How those peoples hard work cause a great
What means to be an American? About everywhere in the societies and the people in it have diverse opinions to be an American especially when they are from different country. Being an American means to have a willing to accept others from different culture, freedom to do anything, and to have opportunities in terms of relaxed atmosphere.
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 an American? This question cannot be answered by one word. There are so many different characteristics, qualities, and features that can be used to describe an American. Besides features, someone is only a real American if they take advantage of all of the many privileges that are given to them. Any person that is not grateful for the privileges that are given to them to me are not real Americans but this is only my opinion. Real Americans use their privileges to benefit themselves and everyone around them. In today's society there are certain things that are expected from American citizens, for instance being a responsible citizen.
So exactly what makes someone an American? When it comes to being American I think there are three main essential characteristics. The first I would say is freedom. To be an American you have to want to be free and believe in freedom. The second would have to be believing in equality for all. Lastly would be living in the United States of America. However I feel this piece is least important. I believe
Everyone has their own definition of what it means to be an American. For some it means living in your dream house, a wife, two kids, a nice car and a job that you don’t really like but are good at and affords you a comfortable lifestyle. Others believe being an American it means displaying an unwavering degree of patriotism and nationalism. People even say that being a true American means you are politically active or fight for our country. I believe being an American isn’t based on material possessions, how high you wave the flag or where you were born. Being an American means you give, work hard and are always thankful.
What does it mean to be an American - is it merely an attribute of living in a
The three main points of who an American is, are that they are patriotic, share similar beliefs, and seek the American dream. An important part of being an American is one’s love for their country and his or her dedication to it. It means to be loyal and to be proud of the nation
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.
The definition of an American is hard to explain. Some believe it is only about being born in North America, others believe it is about where your ancestors came from. The real definition of an American is someone who is free. Free to choose any occupation they want to do, free to get a good education, and free to speak or act for what they believe in. ‘
What does it mean to be an American? Every opinion is different. The United States of America is a country of diversity. Although American citizens are divergent, they share some important qualities. These qualities include freedom, opportunities, and patriotism.
What does it mean to be an American? From my point of view, an American is anyone who understands how to achieve the best in life for a better tomorrow. Someone who understands that achieving the best in life requires risks, hard work, and dedication. Overall, someone who does not give up throughout the difficulties and gives it their all to accomplish their goals in
Striving,prosperity,positive mindset,and patriotism would be words to describe an American,but what does it mean to be an American?Ever since the beginning of the Americas we were confused of what the real definition of a real American.People might say working hard or being successful,But what really means to be an American is what and who you are made of and being a proud and prideful person of your home which is America.