Preview

What Being American Means

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
436 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
What Being American Means
What Does It Mean to be an American?

What does it mean to be american? It's not a question someone could answer so easily you at least take a minute to think about it. Since the founding of the United states of America, Americans have struggled to answer the question. There is so much to be said but no right answer everyone has their own opinions. I believe that Rihanna’s song “American Oxygen” really speaks about being american very well. With almost 69 millions views it really sends a strong message to anyone wondering what it is to be american. At first it may just sound like a normal pop song but when you actually listen and read the lyrics individually they are quite touching.

There are three writers Yezierska, Noda, and Hughes all

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The term “American” is viewed differently by many distinct people. In this essay, one can find out what it truly means to be an American. An American is someone who can be themself and is classified as an American.…

    • 509 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Another special meaning of being American is to come together in times of struggle and also in times of celebration. Events such as the moon landing, and the JFK assassination, and 911. Brung us Americans down in the dumps, and on the edge of our feet. But one thing's for sure. When we get knocked down we come together as a nation and stand right back up. Because Americans are strong and brave, and prideful and…

    • 1822 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ralph Linton states that, “There can be no question about the average American’s Americanism or his desire to preserve this precious heritage at all costs.” So what does it really mean to be 100% American? When one claims to be 100% American, they are typically not going to say it with 100% confidence. Take for instance immigration. In 1970 alone, the number of immigrants in the United States skyrocketed from 9.6 million to roughly 26 million.…

    • 697 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    What does it mean to be an American, to me it means that I have certain rights and freedoms that nobody can take away from me unless I deserve them to be taken. Most people believe that being an american means that you can get away with doing whatever you want because they have freedom of speech or the rights to do it, but sometimes those rights don’t apply and to me that seems like they are just trying to take advantage of what everyone believes what being an American means. Being an American means that you have more privileges than most countries do and people take that for granted.…

    • 646 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although some americans take for granted the oppertunities at hand, there have been several historical figures that know the true meaning of being apart of the United States. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, former president of the united states, said, "My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." He also said, "The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission." Kennedy understood the true honor of what being an american is. There have been other presidents who know it too, such as Theodore Roosevelt. He stated, "I am an American; free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior, except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit.” Even before America was formed, there were still people who dreamed of peace and equality. The men who put their lives on the line in order to accomplish their goals of having a country free of slavery and unjust treatment believed in their cause and in their leaders. George Washington, the general who lead the american revolution and the first president of the united states made a speech saying, "Our cruel and unrelenting Enemy leaves us no choice but a brave resistance, or the most abject submission; this is all we can expect - We have therefore to resolve to conquer or die: Our own Country's Honor, all call upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion, and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world. Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the Cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands Victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble Actions - The Eyes of all our Countrymen are now upon us, and we shall have their blessings, and praises, if happily we are the instruments of saving them from the Tyranny meditated against them. Let us therefore animate and encourage each…

    • 874 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Being an “American” should be about us celebrating the diversity which has given birth to our creative spirit and ingenuity, which calls all of us to live with integrity, responsibility, and hospitality to the people who will shape the tomorrow of our great, great nation. As Harry S. Truman said, “America was not built on fear, it was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” Americans should be defined by imagination, determination, and bravery, that has shaped our great…

    • 491 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    All Americans are guaranteed equal justice. They are allowed equal justice because America is a free country. Americans are inclined to freedom and with that freedom, have the ability to create infinite opportunities for themselves, which then allow them to find success, happiness, and prosperity. Americans can find these opportunities because they live in a meritocracy, and are provided with rights and freedoms that come from The Constitution of the United States of America. The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments of the constitution, are a significant portion of rights that give Americans their freedom. Some of these rights include, the freedom of speech, religion, right to bare arms, the right to equal justice and right to own private property. They also to enjoy many other freedoms such as raising a family, traveling anywhere in the U.S., having the freedom to receive a free education, and work at any job for which a citizen can qualify. Through these freedoms Americans are able to pursue careers in anything that gratifies them, practice any religion they believe in, and being able to protect themselves from harm with the right to bare arms. This allows them the opportunity of living a life of happiness and success, all because they have the freedom to do so. Americans ability to embrace their freedom, use it for the better of the world, and to prosper in whatever they choose to pursue, is the meaning of what it means to be an American.…

    • 257 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    America means a lot of things to me, like freedom, safe, brave, equal, and responsibility. The reason I picked these things is because I think they are all very important to this country. The reason why I picked freedom is because in America, you have the right to do and say whatever you want. For example, the phrase freedom of speech, which means that someone’s right to say something is protected within certain limits. What that means is that someone can say whatever they want, but after you say it, there could be consequences, like someone getting hurt if you yelled “fire” in a place that has a lot of people or if you walked into an airport and yelled “bomb.” You have the right to say that, but if you do, there will be consequences like going to jail or something like that. There is also something called freedom of expression, which means people can behave like they want to and wear what they want to.…

    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    What it means to be an American, most people would tell you it means freedom to pursue and do what you want. In my opinion freedom and the “dream” don't come easy it takes more than hard work and dedication to earn a dime in this country. To be an American it means, responsibility to serve and do everything in your power to be a part of your society. To be an American it means you will obtain rights, for example, the 2nd amendment states you have the right to bare arms. To be an American it means you have freedom, to own whatever you desire if you work hard enough for it.…

    • 436 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Do you know what it means to be an American? There is several ways to show what it is to be an American. For example, the police protect our streets everyday. Also the people that have careers that makes our country a better place. An American is showing patriotism, having freedom, and showing love and devotion for your country.…

    • 488 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Americanism and loving my country are a major part of me. Abundant of things come to mind when I think of what Americanism means to me. I think of going out of my way to help my community learn more about the subject. Additionally, when loving my country comes to mind, I think of the people serving and fighting in the military for America. For instance, I think of the many brave men, and women that served in the military to risk their lives for your freedom.…

    • 299 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The United States of America is a wonderful country where there is equal opportunities, rights and freedoms, and justice. America’s founding fathers like George Washington saw the potential of America being the greatest country of all. They created the constitution. The constitution created a stronger federal government and gave citizens rights. It wasn’t until 1865 that the United States Constitution ended slavery. America has prospered so much since then and now in the 21st century everyone wants to come to America where there is work and you can live a better life. Sometimes Americans take these rights for granted and end up in prison losing their right of freedom and close all their opportunities. Americans should cherish all their rights. I believe that an American is someone who has liberty, has opportunities to become successful, and can vote.…

    • 386 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Becoming American

    • 1815 Words
    • 5 Pages

    United States has always been recognized throughout the world as the “Land of Opportunity.” The attraction of the promise of freedom, wealth, prosperity, and success had drawn millions of immigrants to come to America and search for a better life. One of the most important aspects is that the U.S is an egalitarian nation which opportunities are given based upon ability or achievement, rather than social status or circumstances of birth. My aunt was the first member in my family to move to the United States. She moved with my uncle from Taiwan during the late 1970s and married in the mid-80s. Due to my aunt’s success in the foreign land, my mom decided to send me and my sister to the U.S in search for a better life as well as a brighter future. Although life was tough and many hardships were faced, however, the experiences proven to be very valuable and useful.…

    • 1815 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The definition of what it means to be American is defined through American people’s diverse backgrounds and the pride to protect the freedom of their country.…

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In general, I really like this story, because it reflects a very real seeing in our life. Young people always think their old generation is old fashion which makes young people feel embarrassed. In fact, I am also this kind of young people; however, after reading this story, I entirely changed my mind. I do not really like to go out with my father because of his appearance; however, not his looking but the apparel. In this story, Shadrach Cohen is the main character. His sons, who are Abel and Gottlieb immigrated to America, invited him to their home and live together. However, the problem shows up. Their father is a very typical old fashion Russian; however, they already become very American. In this situation, they encourage their father to shave his beard and become more Americanized. Otherwise, he will make his son embarrassed. The main part of this story is when their father become very American, it actually ruin everything. In my viewpoint, I think this story is totally an ironic story. The two sons symbolize young men and Shadrach stands for the old generation. Therefore, I think everybody has their own style. Furthermore, the other point is ironic is the religion. During the dinner, Shadrach began to pray after the meal, which makes their sons cannot endure. However, at the end of this story, Shadrach leads the religion in American a big jump.…

    • 413 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays