Characteristics Of What It Means To Be An American
Americans like to perceive that they live in a land of opportunity where anyone can achieve his/her dreams by working hard. Sadly, history paints a different picture. The three defining traits of what it means to be an American includes racism, sexism, and using religion to justify our own actions.
Since the creation of the United States, white people have always been privileged. Racial minorities were held back from basic human rights. Slavery kept black people on the same social level as cattle. Slaves were needlessly killed and abused. They were denied necessities such as water based on the whim of the slaveowners. Even after slaves were granted their freedom in 1863, slaves were still held back. Up until 1965, black people were still not
Since the creation of the United States, white people have always been privileged. Racial minorities were held back from basic human rights. Slavery kept black people on the same social level as cattle. Slaves were needlessly killed and abused. They were denied necessities such as water based on the whim of the slaveowners. Even after slaves were granted their freedom in 1863, slaves were still held back. Up until 1965, black people were still not