But being an American doesn’t mean only to live within the boundaries of the United States or simply holding a U.S. citizenship. American people are not defined by “blood and soil” but more likely as Teddy Roosevelt said” Americanism is a matter of the spirit and of the soul.” As a diverse country, what unite the disparate people who make up our country are common constitutional principles interpreted by the political culture, which is defined as broadly shared value, beliefs, and attitudes about how the government should function. American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality, and democracy, and that is what sets our country apart from others. As David Miller, a leading liberal nationalist, emphasizes, a shared sets of characteristics constituting a national culture is a necessary feature of national identity. “ As with many other nations in the world, America has to bear the brunt of national identity erosion in the face of globalization.
Jhonathan Lopez English 11, Section 3 Mr. Fernandez 3-11-13/ UFT What is an American? Many people think that to be an America, you have to be born in America. That is false, its not about where you were born or where you come from, its about the way you use your rights to be successful. Being an American is being able to live the American Dream. It is all about the opportunities and freedom that you are given just for living in America.
Response to Bulosan, Roth and Erdrich It is impossible to define what it means to be “American” in one simple term. America is sometimes said to be the land of opportunity, the land of freedom, a place where everyone is free to live without judgment or persecution. Many have found that this assumption about America is incorrect. Many have found that America is littered with struggles and hypocrisy. Maybe what it really means to be an “American” is to accept the fact that America is a country full of contradictions and ironies, and instead of chasing perfection, one must simply accept the good with the bad.
D’Souza acknowledges that while there are many materialistic gains to be made in the American society the desire for immigration and the commonly held views of America has a more prominent reason, the American dream is a dream based on freedom. It is not necessarily a literal freedom from oppression but a freedom of choice, a freedom to create one’s own destiny. D’Souza’s most powerful and agreeable argument is that the Americans simply have a better standard of living in comparison to most countries. In many countries throughout the world living conditions cannot be changed. No amount of hard work or experience can change something that you were born into.
Where are their people? Technically if anybody is “American”, it should be those people here before us, since they were the original inhabitants of this region. By definition, America is a term used to describe the new world. But was it new to them? This was the land they were born on.
The American dream is sought after and imagined by everyone who comes to America. It is the main reason that people come to America; they come for freedom as well as to one day attain the idea of a perfect American dream. It theoretically symbolizes what you have accomplished in life and what you wish to one day have. In my personal opinion if any person wants come to America to live a life of happiness, be released of religious persecution and the freedom to say what you feel, then it can be accomplished. This is the first thing you get as soon as you become an American.
I also feel people who believe in their rights and stand up for what they believe in and anything positive in the country of the United States will also be considered American. If my family members and I were born in another country, I would define the national identity to be as one. Other countries are
Essay one Patriotism and declaration for our American flag, the flag defines, freedom, independence and respect. The devoted love of America, and justice for all, also defense to protect the flag. American’s Willingness to sacrifice for our flag shows great loyalty. Desecration to the flag is prohibited, burning the Flag is illegal and is a constitutional law of the U.S. of America. The American flag symbolizes pride and freedom and is known worldwide.
People can be whoever they want. Nobody needs a label on them. We are a global community and all of us are influenced by each other so why does it matter if the French are across the globe, we don’t need to divide ourselves by the land we’re under. They say America
On the political side, everyone is free to reject, to revolute and simply to say no. Another aspect of freedom which the American Dream stresses is the freedom of religion as the early founders of the American society have suffered a lot from religious abuse. Freedom of religious beliefs is a basic right for everyone, and any difference in religion cannot be a reason for difference in the gained rights in society. As the American Dream has given great value to the individual, the freedom of expressing person’s opinion and thoughts has imposed itself. Individualism that the American Dream has believed in has made people believe that as they are free individuals everyone should have an opinion and it must at least be heard and respected.