What It Means To Be An American Essay

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 does it mean to be an American? When this question comes to mind many people will have different points of view. Many people tend to classify being American as living in the country called North America. Some people think that being American means to be a person living in a free country. Others may also think that it means to be a person living in a free country, but not having everything come free to you. It's call liberty, which means not everything comes free, and not everything you want at any moment of the day can be done or can be given to you.

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

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.

America. The land of the free and the home of the brave. This sentence from the national anthem describes what it means to be an American perfectly. Americans are on a land of freedom that is fought for by bravery. They should show it in how they act every day.

Candelario Felix Felix 1 Mrs. Brown English 11 December 2,2015 What It Means To Be An American What does it mean to be an American? Most of the people in America would say Freedom if asked that question. Although that is a big chunk of what it means to be an American there are also of definitions to what it means to be an american. For example for you the meaning of being an american can be freedom but for someone else it can be that everyone is equal and treated the same. Being an American is a privilege some countries don't get the rights that we do and us as americans sometimes don't really consider that.

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.

The definition of being an American is different for each person. The stereotypical answers would consist of Americans being rude, lazy, tough minded, etc. Many people can be defined by these words, but the majority would not fit into this category. There is no single unifying factor, in words, of an American. We all have contrasting traits: background, personalities, culture differences, and more. There are many ideas and examples of freedom that Americans have fought for years to preserve and perfect. The one specific idea that unifies Americans would be the simple word: freedom.

America has been established as an independent country for a little over two centuries now, growing stronger and wealthier with every passing year. One phenomenon that the majority of Americans now days don’t realize is that this country was founded and built up by foreigners. But when they landed on Plymouth Rock way back then, they had no idea that the unknown land they discovered would one day become one of the most significant countries to ever exist. Though everyone who is born into this country are considered Americans, what does it truly mean to be an American after they have lived on our homeland’s soil for roughly two decades? The main identifications of a true American are: they are patriotic, they contribute to society and their community, and that they are hardworking and innovative.

That’s the question. A person may say they’re an American, but what does an American actually consist of? The world has its accepted ideals, but these fade in and out of society as time passes. However, values exist that have withstood the test of time. Values that make an American. These consist of respect, integrity, and pride.

Our proposition of an American is based upon achievements, values and a sense of solidarity. Everyone can’t be listed as the best Americans, but to be able to conquer the negativity, and diverse the mindsets around. An American is a valued, proud, accepted, and important individual.

How do you define what it means to be an American? What exactly does that entail? While there are many common themes in these definitions, every individual has a different view on what “Americanism” truly is. The infamous American gangster Al Capone once said “This American system of ours, call it Americanism, call it capitalism, call it what you will, gives each and every one of us a great opportunity if we only seize it with both hands and make the most of it.” Upon first reading this statement, I agreed with what he had said. American has always been a beacon of hope and the land of opportunities, but looking back at the events of our history, were those same opportunities available to every human being living on American soil? The simple answer to that questions is no. Looking back at this country’s past, it is fascinating to watch the face of America evolve and it will surely be interesting to see how the definition of what it means to be an American changes in the future.

People in America are made of all shapes, sizes, and colors, and in the past, this has caused bitter problems between races. But there are some Americans who look past these qualities and accept everyone, treating them equally. Mr. X, a well known activist, stated “I believe it is possible for brotherhood to be brought about among all people” (X). This quote supports the actions of equality, by having differences put aside and instead treating those around with brotherhood. To further support this comes from Dr. King’s speech.

America, a great nation united by many people who call themselves Americans, but who will eventually trace family ties to countries that are deemed foreign rather than domestic. America was founded by Europeans who became the first Americans after they were able to successfully settle and survive. While these were the first perceived Americans in the minds of most, all of the future generations since then have carried the label of Americans. What does it truly take to be considered an American though? Surely we do not share enough similarities with our ancestors that we could be mistaken for them, yet we carry the same label. While there are many qualities that could be used to define a person or characterize them as an American, there are three that stick out as the defining aspects. The three most predominant characteristics a person has to possess to be considered an American is a strong back, a curious mind, and passion.