The idea of being American has most definitely changed over time. In the early history of the United States, African-American slaves weren’t even considered to be a full person -- let alone an American citizen. In the same time frame, racism and sexism were running rampant. The three rights guaranteed to U.S. citizens -- life, liberty, and property -- were only given to the select few: white males. Over the years the definition of an “American” has been expanded from the white male to essentially every person who sets foot on our soil and contributes to our society. Being American is something no longer defined by race, religion, or language. Now it is characterized by the sense of belonging felt by the people, whether it be someone born in
It's up to us to decide what they believe it means to be an American and who should be allowed to become an American. Being an American is about more than just legal citizenship or birthplace, Jose argues. In his book, Jose wrote that being an American is about the shared values and ideals that make up the country's identity, such as freedom, equality, and opportunity. Jose questions the conventional idea that American identity is solely defined by legal citizenship, claiming that there is a more complex and nuanced concept that
As of the year 2016, there are an estimated 324,118,787 people living in America. 324,118,787 people consider themselves to be Americans and 324,118,787 people have decided that America really is worthy enough to be called home. These people, whether they were born within the country or emigrated from another country, comingle in this melting pot of a nation, sharing grocery stores and hospitals and neighborhoods and all the ideologies that make up American society, and each of these people have their own lives and opinions and personal beliefs. All of these people, all (roughly) 324,118,787 of them, fall under the definition of an American – a person who lives in America, because there is simply no other way to define what an American is when
The actual definition of American is relating to, or characteristic of the United States or its inhabitants. Being proud of who you are and the place you live. Americans have defined themselves not by their racial, religious, and ethnic identity but by their common values and belief in individual freedom. An American says the Pledge of Allegiance and understands that voting is important to Democracy, individually Americans value freedom and are proud citizens, and the freedom of human right.
On May 16,2017 I interviewed Karina Salgado about what it means to be American to her. She is currently a preschool teacher at Acacia Tree Preschool here in Anaheim, but she also is studying to get her associate degree to become an elementary teacher. Karina stated throughout the interview that she's proud to call herself a chicana instead of an actual American. She also stated that she is the oldest of three and that her parents are both Mexican. Karina made some clear points towards the question of what it means to be american.
Almost all Americans have varied definitions on what being an American means. In the 1800’s we had what seems to be a single meaning for the word American. It was that they defended and fought for the country they love and also a vast majority of America was white men, but hey, we have to start somewhere. With our home across the seas we were safe from persecution. Now, we work alongside the British in trade, news, and of course in the United Nations.
The definition of being an American is often synonymous to most people. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, once expressed his vision, saying, "My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as a beacon of hope." According to Lincoln, being American means embodying hope for a brighter future. Similarly, in Learned Hand's address titled "I am an American Day Address," he defines being American as having a sense of liberty. Understanding Hand's concept of liberty lies in recognizing the balance between courage and freedom.
What does it mean to be an American today? Being an American isn’t hard,but sometimes people just like to not follow things. First thing is being to say The Pledge of Allegiance in school than sitting down on your lazy butt. Second thing is being yourself. Three thing is if you are at a game standing up and put your hand on our heart for The Star Stander Bender .
To be an american you must act live as an american, so be free, strong, and courageous. Being american is best understood by the way of life as an American. Since the birth of america, Americans have fought for what they thought was right and to fulfill a dream or their manifest destiny. From the start of America we acted on the human rights and set ourselves free and formed the idea of freedom and strength in America. With the Amendments established our freedoms like the first amendment Freedom of expression which states “the First Amendment means that government has no power to restrict expression because of its message, its ideas, its subject matter, or its content” as said by Thurgood Marshall.
Defining The American Identity: A Personal Narrative What does being American mean? This is a question that has been debated for centuries and is particularly relevant in today's political climate. In her essay, "Am I American?" Ibram X. Kendi explores this question, offering his own definition of what it means to be an American. Kendi argues that freedom is central to American identity, especially the freedom to express yourself, challenge yourself, and follow your dreams without fear of discrimination or persecution.
What does it meant to be american? In america we might have conflicts like diversity, political problems, and more. America also has some amazing aspects to it we have freedom. With us having freedom that means that we can believe in any religion, have freedom of speech, and much more. In america we have a great military, army, and marines.
What Does It Mean To Be An American What does it mean to be an american? Isn’t that the question that every american citizen wonders at some point in their lives? It is a simple question that can be taken different ways and answered in many different forms. Some may answer as a personal opinion, others as a factual statement, I however agree with those who see it as an opinion. Every person in America is different in some way.
Being an American can mean many different things all depending on the different perspectives of different ethnic or religious groups. So what does being an American mean to me? Being an American to means that everyone can live a happy stress free life where they don’t have to worry about being discriminated against or feeling like they don’t have equal rights. To start with, being an American can range in definition depending on a person 's perspective of America. Personally, I would say being an American is when you can live a happy life where you don 't have to worry about being treated differently because of the color of your skin.
What it means to be an American is that you have the freedom to vote freedom of speech. You have the liberty to be what you want in America no one chooses for you. Also have the liberty to work wherever you want not be someone 's slave. Being American means you don 't have to hide your religion, the color of your skin or your sex. You have the ability to speak what you want.
When you ask a non American “What does America mean to you?” , they will more often than not answer with hamburgers, obesity, NFL and Reality TV. That is okay because who doesn 't love hamburgers and football filled Sundays, who doesn 't love watching silly reality TV shows and who doesn 't love a cheat day every once in awhile? Those people are judging a book by its cover and fortunately for me… well my thoughts about America are quite different. When an individual asks me “What does America mean to you?”
What does it mean to be an American: The land of the free and the home of the brave? Due to the diversity that America offers, the people regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, cultures, backgrounds and sexual orientation have an equal opportunity for a better life in America. In Anna Quindlen’s “A Quilt of a Country,” she explains how people view America. She writes that being an American is an idea that works despite that fact that it should not due to the diversity that exist in the country. Quindlen informs the reader that America was uniquely constructed on no precise culture or race.