What being an American technically means and some people’s definition of being an American is two completely different things. Why is that? Even though the word “American” has the definition “a native or citizen of the United States”, the definition to most people is much more personal than this. Being an American not only means that one is a native or citizen to this country, but it also means that Americans have certain freedoms and rights. Citizens have the freedom of speech, religion, the press, and assembly. It also means that we have the right to bear arms, to own one’s property, and to enjoy many other more specific freedoms. Being an American technically means that citizens can vote and share an opinion without being reprimanded and criticized. On the other hand, what it means to be an American to some is much simpler than the Bill of Rights or the Amendments. To most, is is a very personal situation. Cody S., a ten year old from Wisconsin, says “Being an American means that we are all treated equally no matter what color skin …show more content…
If you are an American you are mighty lucky because you will be free forever.” Ashley M., another ten year old from wisconsin, says “To be an American to me means that I am free. That when I grow up I can pick the job I want, what shift to work. And to have a good education. It means that I can say "The Pledge of Allegiance" and that I can vote for the President, my county clerk, and the Mayor. But to me it means most of all to be free and to be proud that I live in the United States of America here in Wisconsin.” To these young people, America is the greatest country in the world because America does not discriminate as much as the country used to, America is free, and America is centered around equality. To others, being an American simply means that they can go to almost any restaurant over the country and buy a hamburger
Simply living in America doesn't define you as an American. Being able to proudly own that you're an american, giving up things to better the country, working overtime, helping those who are homeless, picking up the litter, loving your country for what it is. If you don't contribute, if you can't own it, and if you can't stand up for it, you're not an american. Being American is being free, having the right to believe in what you want, being able to not only have a dream, but make that dream come true.
What does it mean to be an American? Being an American has a multitude of meanings when asked to the average citizen. Most every person knows what it means to them to be an American. Answers will vary; however, all of them are unique opinions. The true meaning of being an American is enjoying liberty, having national pride, and appreciating life.
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.
What does it mean to be an American? Being an American means a multitude of different things. It depends on who the person is and what is the most important to them. It may be that they are free, or that they are proud, or simply because they appreciate the country’s history. This country has so many privileges that other countries do not have, and this sets it aside from them.
Conversely, many believe that being an American comes only from an emotional standpoint and that no other classification is needed. As declared by Jose Antonio Vargas of the Huffington Post, “What it means to be an American is less about who you are than what you are about— how you live your life, how you contribute to this country, how you pledge allegiance to a flag hoping and praying it will make room for you.” Albeit this emotion may contribute to Americanism, it cannot operate by itself. Without citizenship, one cannot be considered American. Going back to the original definition, to be an American is to be, “a native inhabitant of the U.S.: a U.S. citizen.” Anything past this denotation is simply an opinion and cannot be used when coming up with an unambiguous definition of the
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.
What it means to be an American is that we have our basic freedoms, we have the right to vote for our president, our senate, our house of representatives, and many more. We also have the right to a fair and speedy trial, while other countries if you break the law you get the death sentence. The United States of America is a great place and we should be respectful and proud of that. What is means to be an American can vary from person to person, but there will always be the core value that we have our freedoms and our liberties.
To be an American means to be a free individual in this country. We have the rights from the 12 amendments of the Bill of the Rights. The most important one for our use is the one stating, “the rights of freedom, speech, religion, press petition, and assembly.” It’s fair for all citizens of the United States. As we age, we’ll experience this in various opportunities. For example, depending on our education to pick the job of our choice. We are able to pledge to our country, the Pledge of Allegiance. As a society, we can vote party we agree with in office. One has the freedom of speech to state what’s on their mind in any situation. This truly is a great place to live in for our individualities. American’s have an enormous amount of freedom. From when we are born here, we can claim our rights for our declared reasons.
What really is an American? Being an American is not just being born in the USA as most people would think, that is just the technicality of it. For centuries Americans have defined themselves not by their racial, religious, and ethnic identity but by their common values and belief in individual freedom. Not just being able to say “The Pledge of Allegiance” and being able to vote for the president, but being able to be free and to be proud that you live in the United States of America.
To be an American in my opinion means you have freedom, and the right to do what you desire. An American can decide what sports they want to play, what classes they want to take, what job they want in the future. Being an American means that you have the right to choose your religion and the type of person you are. Also, to be an American it means that you serve the country in the best way possible and respect those who do serve the county, such as soldiers. Being an American means you have the right to vote for a worthy president. Many countries lack the privilege that America has, and sometimes a person doesn't realize the opportunities they get when living in America.
Do you know what it means to be an American? The dictionary definition is relating to or characteristics of the United States. To be honest American can mean anything. What i mean American means is to be honest, loyal, and to be an American citizens, born in the United States. Just be loyal to what you do for your country. You can be anything you want just do it for your country and for yourself, and if you aren't born in the united states then find a way to earn your label of American.
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.
“What is an American?” To some people an American just someone who is a legal citizen of the United States. When you get down to it, do you agree? I believe an American is much more. An American has freedoms , they want what is best for the United States, and they overcome the odds.