What Defines Us as Americans

one could use to describe American culture. These include the American flag, Old Glory, the national anthem, baseball, apple pie, or the Statue of Liberty. Really, America is an amalgam of varied cultures and ideas. What best defines America is its people. In the great American melting pot, several traits have emerged as distinctly American; pride, diversity, and involvement. Those who grew up in the USA usually have fond memories of the 4th of July, a day when Americans celebrate the creation of

mostly for religious freedom. American’s identity was built off of the settlers and immigrants who set the standards of who we are. America is made off of a diverse platform of race, religious, ethnic groups, and social class. All of these people are Americans. We look to be different, but we share the ability to welcome others of different backgrounds into our lives. Many immigrants migrated here because of the poor treatment and captivity of their native homes. Some came to America for matters like

assumption that doing so will allow us to achieve financial security, rise up the economic ladder, and perhaps even achieve great wealth" (Graff, Birkenstein, Durst 539). In chapter nineteen of They Say, I Say the author writes a thought provoking quote that will guide the parameters of this paper. The "American Dream" is in the eye of the beholder. We all have set our own individual goals and each of us, from one American to the next, hold our own ideals of the American dream. Some, by their own standards

Several documents created during the Enlightenment period define what it means to be an American. To be an American means to live in a country with equality independence and liberty for all. FINISH American people who live under the country’s rule are treated equally. The Northwest Ordinance of 1786, a document written in the perspective of the people living in the northwest area, helped create a way for America’s northwest territory to become states. When The Northwest Ordinance of 1786 was established

Rodriguez’s story “The Chinese in All of Us,” is a look into cultural separations, and the theoretical lack there of. In this story Rodriguez speaks of his experiences as being an American with a Mexican background. Rodriguez speaks of his belief that there are not any foreign cultures inside the United States; but rather that the very essence of being an American is being different. The difference in all of us is what brings us together; it is what defines our society. “I think of myself as Chinese

In today’s 20th century, media plays a significant role within the everyday lives of Americans within today’s society. Rich, poor, black, or white, media is all around us and unconsciously shapes our thoughts and perceptions on an every day basis. One cannot hide from the media because it is intertwined in our lives from the shows we watch on television to the books and magazines we read and seek to learn from to the music we listen not only by choice but songs that are played in almost every store

not. Democracy has meaning, and multiple values. Democracy a certain type of system a government uses to abide by. This government’s values are meant to please the American citizens, and their needs. Democracy looks different to the types of citizens that make up the American society. The multiple values that make up democracy define the country in this time period. Democracy is a type of government used in different countries, including America. A Democracy is a system of government by the populations

clothing, etc. These customs are what shape the lifestyle of people and the way we are. Groups of society have different cultural strategies on how to adapt and respond to one’s surroundings. When it comes myself personally, I was raised in American culture. Every culture has fundamentally two integral elements: material and nonmaterial. Material culture coheres with physical objects, places, and resources in which helps define a culture. Ferrante (2016) informs us how, from a sociological point

this in common: Erasure of Asian Americans. Whitewashing isn't a new phenomenon in film/tv; however, they all contribute to the basic issue of erasure. In Ghost in the Shell, a white woman plays Japanese character’s role. The same happens in Death Note, Doctor Strange, and Iron Fist where a white actor is put in place of an Asian role, filling the shoes of a culturally insensitive, white-savior based, orientalist role. What this erasure does is remove Asian-American characters and actors from film

Most people have their own definition on being an American, what's yours? Being an American comes with a lot, especially on having your own rights. Freedom of religion, Freedom of speech and dealing with all aspects needed to define being an American. Let's start with the first one, Freedom of religion, where you have the right to believe what you want and worship whoever and whatever you want. “Freedom of every person to worship God in his own way”. (Four Freedoms) Here it clearly states