As Mr. Hayakawa states in his article, “English unites us as American-immigrants, communicating with one another in a common language”. By making this official, we are not forcing citizens to only speak English in public nor asking them to abandon their
This signified that Obama would not give up and ignore the racial issues America is facing and he urged every Americans to do the same. Every American must play their part ‘to continue on the path of a more perfect union.’ (Obama, 2008) To do so, Obama suggested that the African-American community must embrace ‘the burdens of [their] past without becoming victims of [their] past.’ (Obama, 2008) and believed that they are able to determine their own destiny. The African American community must be able to draw strength from their past in order to achieve a better future. The white community has to ‘realize that [their] dreams do not have to come at the expense of [other Americans’] dreams.’ (Obama, 2008) In this, Obama meant that the whites and blacks community must work together in order to fulfill their dreams. If the blacks and whites in American are able to do so, Americans will move past the racial wound that the nation has always been carrying.
Jon Cunningham English 1301 Dr. Miller 22 Nov 2013 An American Conscience The United States of America has been a beacon of light for those seeking to live a life free from oppression. Those landing on her shores come seeking a life where they can achieve any dream they strive for and the freedom do as they please without fearing recourse from an oppressive government. According to our Constitution, our government receives its limited powers from the people and is held accountable to those same people every election cycle. These same people expect their government to make and pass laws that reflect the good of the country as a whole and respect the individual liberties that each citizen enjoys. Closer examination shows that our Constitutional
Ted Turner and the American Dream The American Dream started when the pilgrims came to America to start a new life for themselves. They came to make new opportunities, start their families and begin something fresh. Even without people relocating, that same dream is still around today. My definition of the American Dream is that you can make a name and a living for yourself in America, and be independent in supporting yourself. Ted Turner exemplifies the American dream.
We are governed by public and private interests. These interests are based on our very own constitution that is set up to give everyone an opportunity to succeed in our growing culture. American Exceptionalism is partially a reflection of our nation’s long history, but Americans can tend to be ethnocentric and judge other cultures by the standards of their own. When a lot of people think of America, they think about a country that is made up of a mixing bowl of races and ethnicities. They think of a culture that is founded on constitutional rights and god given freedoms that everyone should have.
Castillo 2 Diversity in America not only presents a host of intimate snapshots of culture and heritage, but documents the struggles of nationalities to integrate into the “melting pot” society of America, and highlights the strength and integrity of various cultural leaders and thinkers.” http://www.worldandi.com/specialcollection/special-collection-diversity.asp. So if you don’t think that diversity in America is not very important think again because we are a country of diversity. That’s what makes America the way it is and that is the way it has always been. Even back to when America was being colonized there was diversity with Native Americans, Europeans, Mexicans, and Latin Americans. Another reason why American exceptionalism is viewed as good is because we have extremely good medical care here.
What It Means to Me to Be an American I have always thought the term “American” was refreshing. I do so because I loved the fact that one word can describe so much and have so many meanings. People often throw the word around without really thinking of what it truly means to be an American. It’s not as simple as most people believe it to be. To me the word “American” has always been connected to the words freedom and responsibility.
I live in a neighborhood that consists of illegal immigrants as well as other cultures. Our borders of the United States join other countries. Our United States are made up of immigrants coming from other countries to prosper and escape persecution from their native lands. Are we becoming too proud to open our doors to the people trying to better their lives or are we being closed minded to others who need our help. The illegal immigrants that are already here and have begun their lives here should be able to stay without persecution from our government and be offered immunity to stay here as an American citizen and live the life they choose to live.
Alina Mehdi Period 4 9/4/13 What is an American? Many people refer to themselves and others as “Americans,” but have you ever thought about what an American is? According to Webster’s Dictionary, an American is a native or inhabitant of America. Some people look at the word American literally and others choose to look at it differently. To me, anyone (race and religion don’t matter) can be an American as long as they believe in freedom and equal rights, love the United States, and consider it their home and where they belong.
Civic Involvement – A Founding Principle of American Values In The Founders’ Embrace of Both Rights and Duties, Thomas West does an excellent job of explaining John Locke’s theories regarding government and citizenship. Of course Locke was arguably the strongest influence to the Founders and the formation of the American Republic. The first concept is that duty is implied in ones’ “unalienable rights”. One can pursue life, liberty, and happiness, as long as they are not infringing on anyone else’s life or liberty. One’s first interest is self-preservation, but “Lockean self-interest proves to be inseparable from service to others.” (West, 2008, p. 594) Locke also speaks of Biblical principles where a man born free must work for himself and not live off the labor of others.