Accordingly, the ideals of America used to be we were many ethnicities, all blended into one, but now we are a bunch of discordant ethnicities living in one country under one name just with different groups. Two essays on this topic are A Quilt of a Country by Anna Quindlen and The Immigrant Contribution by John F. Kennedy. JFK regarded that “everybody is an immigrant or the descendant of an immigrant” (JFK page 23). Quindlen characterized that “America was held together by a notion that all men are created equal and that America is made up of bits and pieces” (Quindlen page 13-14). America transpired a unique nation made up of different parts.
America’s identity is defined differently by every individual. Ideally it was to be a place of freedom and acceptance, identified by its message of liberty and hard-work, however the question arises whether America is a melting pot in which only one culture dominates or it a mosaic of many peoples’ histories. America’s potential and true identity lies within its ability to assimilate and create a natural individualism despite race, class, and immigration standing.
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 United States of America, is known to be one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world. It has often been referred to by many as a global melting pot or as locals may say callaloo, due to the amassing of diverse ethnicities, cultures and nationalities. Within its borders, resides immigrants or descendants of immigrants from almost every region in the world, and each has in some way added to the American culture and way of life. America is known for its stance on freedom, it is a nation that values equality and justice, this can be noted in the last few words of their national anthem ‘indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’ However, for many, high levels of economic and social inequalities are daily struggles, a battle that has been fought for decades to claim the most basic rights, in the pursuit of achieving the American Dream.
What is America all about? What is America defined as? America is more than just its geographical boundaries. To everyone in the world, America stands for something. People believe in America. America is the place that seems to give opportunities and equal changes to all. They have more freedom than others (but not total freedom). America is a united people working together. I believe America is a place where all people have a chance to succeed in life. I also believe that in America people have the freedom to stand up for their beliefs and fight for them.
He states “If we wish to be free” and finally obtain liberty “if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending.” We must not give up “the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged.” Which we have promised “ never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained,” the glorious object is their freedom. In order to fulfill all of these things he demands that “we must fight!”
During the Revolutionary War, the unity of the colonists was strong, as they had to fight against the British, despite the British having larger militia forces. In Document C, Richard Henry Lee stated that “all N. America is now most firmly united and as firmly resolved to defend their liberties ad infinitum against every power on Earth that may attempt to take them away.” This was said while the war was happening, and how British wouldn’t stop fighting the colonists until they got their money from taxes. The British were determined to fight until they won, despite how much it hurt both sides. Lee states how despite the size of the conflict, Americans will continue to fight together to win their freedom.
Our American Identity- How does one generation define America today? How does one generation define what it means to be an American? Our lives are filled with chaotic events. Some are good, some are bad.
Through diction he showed the audience a powerful argument with an extraordinary quotes, “is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty”. In this quote he argues for liberty not just for him although additionally for his fellow americans. Observing into the first quote and a part of the second quote it says “arduous struggle for
The ability for people to look at a situation from a different perspective is vital in today’s globalized society. Diversity is the most important, core attribute we each share that gives us the ability to assess new situations through our diverse backgrounds and upbringings. Unlike Patrick J. Buchanan’s argument in his essay titled “Deconstructing America,” diversity is a necessity in America’s culture as opposed to the burden it is described as. Conversely, Fredrickson 's essay titled “Models of American Ethnic Relations: A Historical Perspective,” illustrated a more precise version of American history that disproves Buchanan’s ethnocentric ideologies. Buchanan speaks of diversity on a narrow, one-way street.
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. There are so many good things about being American but there are some downsigns.
“The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind” (Paine 1). With the Revolutionary War beginning in 1775, and the publication of Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, only a year later, this statement was widely recognized and addressed the issue at hand: the fight for independence. According to Paine’s assertion, America’s desire for peace and freedom is a basic necessity of life; it is what all men desire. Despite this innate thirst for liberty, many residents of America’s thirteen colonies were fearful of Great Britain, and because of this fear, complied with Great Britain’s every whim. Consequently, most colonists were hesitant to fight against the mother country for independence.
The American Revolution was said to have been almost lost on multiple occasions, however, because of the American’s courage, strength and perseverance they were able to defeat the British and earn their independence. Winning a war isn’t an easy task especially against the greatest army in the world at the time, but because of the unity of the American people or the colonists at the time, because of their courage, strength and perseverance they benefited from it and because of these factors they were able to win the war and claim what they so strongly believed they had the right to. Courageous people have been displayed throughout all of history, and especially in fictional tales and stories told by people. However, this is no tale,
American History, n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2015. This Quote by him has many meanings things such as the Americans Fighting the War against Britain and getting to where they are now. He is saying that The people that fought for the cause of freedom and independendence has a piece of it in their blood. they helped build it into what it is today.
America’s Diverse Population In the nineteenth century, rates of immigration across the world increased. Within thirty years, over eleven million immigrants came to the United States. There were new types of people migrating than what the United States were used to seeing as well. Which made people from different backgrounds and of different race work and live in tight spaces together; causing them to be unified.