Lots might consider themselves an American, but although they may live in America that doesn’t really make them an American. To be a true American it takes more than just being born here or taking a test. Being an American indicates that one has the true American spirit, and keep the American promise that all men and women can have, meaning they can do what they want with their lives but also treat others the right way, and follow good morals. Having the true American spirit does not come easy. “Americans look to more than the next meal; they look to the future, the long term, a better tomorrow”(Hudgins,10). That American spirit means even if one is not in the best condition, they know that things will get better, and in the future they will be in a better condition because other Americans will come together to help Americans who are not as well off. One also must understand the principles of this country. “The principles of this country are no mere abstractions; they are written in the hearts of all true …show more content…
“We are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation”(Obama,12). This is explaining that yes all Americans are working for their individual goals, but in the long run everyone is connected and affects our whole nation. Our nation may have a lot of wealth in money value but our real wealth is in each and every true American as stated by Obama in his acceptance speech. “This country of ours has more wealth than any nation, but that’s not what makes us rich”(Obama,13). Obama is saying that our nation's wealth is not measured in how much money we have but rather in how many Americans live up to the American promise, have the true American spirit and follow good
The above statement was made by Barack Obama, President of the United States of America during his acceptance Speech, November 7 2012. In this essay I will set out to break down these statements and analyse the content critically using Merton’s strain theory and Durkheim’s concept of anomie. I will initially set out some of the core principles of strain theory and the concept of anomie. . Furthermore I will analyze the concept of ‘’The American Dream’’
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.
To me being American means many things. To start off I believe that being American has nothing to do with from where you may originally be from whether it is a place in Latin America or Europe. I believe that it has to do with the ideals that you believe in. I believe an American is someone who was born in the United States and was raised by the ideals and beliefs of this country. An American is someone who respects the values of others and gains knowledge and perspective through their differences.
According to Karina Salgado to be an American is to have the ability to have more liberty, an education, and overcome obstacles. Also, throughout the interview Karina stated that she doesn't consider herself an American,
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.
.America is the land of opportunity to many individuals. It gives people a chance to become who they really desire to be. That idea though, is not always true. What sometimes occurs is that people who want to become a true American make themselves believe that the only way to do so is by becoming powerful and losing the morals that they were taught. What has been ingrained in much of society is that if one does not do one of those things they are lesser than the ones who do.
What it means to be an American Argumentative Essay “It takes one, to know one” a quote by the Unknown. America has many different people with many different races. Every single person, no matter where they originated from, or where their ancestors originated from, has the power to make the world a better place. The article is about a life of a man who came from France and fought in the French and Indian War. He was one of the few people who stayed behind and accepted the new beginnings of a new, free world.
Being an American means that if you don’t like the laws, you work to change them through politics. Being an American means dreaming bigger than reason, and working to fulfill that dream. Being an American also means that while you are free to disagree with America’s government and political figures, you realize that America is trying it’s best, and you respect that. Americans know
We all go through life in varying manners, some choose to challenge the everyday laws, others cling to the authority hoping not to get noticed, we have different jobs, go to different schools, live in different neighborhoods, some of us have hundreds of family members, and some have none, theres no telling the situation. So the question in general is hard to answer because every American has a different view of living in america. Some people see it as shameful to live in such a cruel country, some are proud to be a part of something that is constantly evolving, there are endless feelings towards America and all are found in the people of this country. What does it mean to be an American? It is a very difficult question to answer and it seems impossible to get the right answer, but is there a right answer?
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.
The American person has no true ideals, or beliefs that make him or her up. Americans are free to believe in what they want, think what they want, preach what they want, and most importantly say what they want . Authors such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Frederick Douglass, and Walt Whitman show in their texts such as “Self-Reliance” , The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass , and “I Celebrate Myself” that there is no true definition of the American identity. The American identity can be seen in the many aspects of peoples lives, and a a quality that many Americans portray is the ability to have individual thoughts and emotions as well as the capability to not conform to society because they stand up for their own individual rights. A
The United States of America is a big, powerful and wealthy country in the world. The division of class, individuality, religion, and race are but a few of the embellishments within the society. The blend of these numerous diversities is the crucial ingredient to the modern nation. America has been formed upon them, with that said the “average American”- have a single means in common; a single concept; a single goal; the American Dream. The Dream consists of a seemingly simple theory; success.
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.