Over the course of the first century and a quarter of the history of the United States of America, what it means to be an American has been defined by a number of different documents. The authors of those documents have come from varied backgrounds all searching to find their place in the growth and development of this country. At the beginning of the nation, those authors came from the English tradition of what government should look like and what those who were looking to change that government should do. When the country experienced some early growing pains, many of those same people came together again to try and develop a new system of laws for the country. As the nation grew up, it also grew apart and faced arguably the most …show more content…
That the ideas of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are our birthrights as Americans and that regardless of what the government does, they must adhere and live up to protecting those freedoms for us. If the government fails to that, then, in the document’s own words, we have “the right to alter or abolish and institute new government.” The delegates to the 2nd Continental Congress believed that because King George III and Parliament had not guaranteed those essential human rights to the colonists, they had the right to break away and start again. The document lists 27 grievances, many of which related directly to the events of the 1760s and early 1770s, including forcing the colonists to house troops (the Quartering Act, one of the Intolerable Acts) and by imposing taxes without their consent. This, then gave the delegates in Congress the ability to dissolve all political connections with England and make the colonies “free and independent states.” With the issues of independence of the nation out of the way, the country now set about setting up a government that they believed would represent all of the people. The problem for many in the nation was that women were somehow neglected as a part of the process. From the colonial period, women had very few rights for themselves. If
What Does It Mean To Be An American? So I think that to be an american is that you have the rights to say I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the united states of america and so on. Also to be an american you can pick the job you really want, what shift to work, and the most important thing of all you can get an education. To be an american there is a lot of duties to do.
In our society nowadays, many people take our freedoms for granted. We live our lives as if we had it hard. They complain about all their work, high taxes, bills, corrupt government, and just how terrible people treat one another. Most American citizens believe we should be further ahead and better if you will. “How could we have gotten to this point?” many people ask. What these people don’t realize is how many have sacrificed themselves to help us to get here and make us a better country.
What it means to be an American has nothing to do with race, gender, size, origin, etc. Being an American solely relies on how far we have came as a country to call the United States of America a home, how we have fought through blood, sweat, and tears; depressions, wars, and movements for rights. Being an American means there is freedom of religion so you have the right to believe in whatever suits you. Americans work with the opportunities given to us to not only better, as well as protect our homeland and retrieve knowledge to better our future, but Americans give up their own lives to help do the same thing for other countries as well.
The soil of the middle-east stained with the blood of our American soldiers just so we can not take advantage of our right to vote. Though sometimes questionable, America's overall image portrayed to other countries is an honorable one. America is known for its democracy and as well as being a land of opportunities and many freedoms. America's assortment of ethnicities and cultures is proof that our country is a desirable one. Wars are being fought at this very moment to defend these freedoms.
What does it mean to be an American? In my eyes to be an American means to have privileges, rights, and freedom. America isn't perfect, but it is one of the only countries that have rights given to people of different diversities and gender. America does not have tremendous poverty. Instead we have choices given to us by the people who fought and died for the American people. Without George Washington and the other patriots who planted the first seed in the ground and help plant the American nation we live in now who knows what America would be like now.
America is a wonderful place to live, because we are free. Freedom is important, and many people in other countries do not have much freedom. I am glad I have a place like this to grow up in; where I know that I can be equal with other races and other genders. Also, I am glad I have a place like this that will respect me and I know it will be a great place to have my children grow up in.
What it means to be American? Everybody you ask this question to will have a completely different response. Some responses might have similarities but none will be exactly the same. In the beginning of the year my response was “To be an American means having a rich history, having opportunities to better ourselves, and having freedoms.” Unfortunately not everyone has had the same opportunities or freedoms. Native Americans, who are indigenous, dealt with having their freedoms taken away, less opportunities even though they had rich history in this land before it was taken away from them. Look at what Zitkala-Sa endured. Not only that, but African Americans have fought long and hard for freedom and equality as well. W.E.B. Du Bois stood for
According to the Scholastic News Online, when individuals were given the question of what it means to be an American, most of them described it as “being free” and having certain rights while others gave explicit examples and mentioned the fact that we as Americans receive opportunities such as “voting”. I somewhat agree with most of these individuals. I believe that being an American consists of having certain rights and a given amount of freedom, to a certain extent. I also strongly believe that by being American, we are guaranteed opportunity if we work hard for something. Being an American also means we have the power to make a difference and express what we feel in order to make this country better than before. Coming from a family that had a much more distinct experience than
Do you consider yourself to be an American? Being an American is not just having a citizenship or living in America it is much more. America doesn’t just allow the people inside the country to stay, but America gives everyone a second chance at life and give them more opportunities. America has had a long strive for freedom and independence, making the opportunity of living here that much more special. In this essay I will be reading to you my thoughts of what it means to be an American. Bravery, honor, hope, and the freedom and equality of all Americans are the topics that I feel are most important.
Americans strongly affirm the principles of religious freedom, religious tolerance, and separation of church and state. Nearly 9-in-10 (88 percent) Americans agree that America was founded on the idea of religious freedom for everyone, including religious groups that are unpopular. Ninety-five percent of Americans agree that all religious books should be treated with respect even if we don’t share the religious beliefs of those who use them. Nearly two-thirds (66 percent) of Americans agree that we must maintain a strict separation of church and state. Americans’ views of Muslims and Islam are mixed, however. As with other previously marginalized religious groups in U.S. history, Americans are grappling with the questions Islam poses to
Many people dream about being an American. They dream because they envision America as the land of peace and prosperity. But is it? At times it has been, and at times its not. It is hard for the United States to be correct all the time because they have been unwilling designated as the “World Police”. Throughout history there have been examples politically, economically, and socially, where being an American is rewarding and times where it is embarrassing. To be an American means progress. We evolved from a world ruled by white men to a world of equal opportunity.
When veterans day comes around it always has me thinking what does being an american means to me? What being an american means to me is to be free. I say this because I have the freedom to go to school, I can go anywhere, and I am free to have whatever job I want. But I also know that in other countries there is not a lot of freedom, like in africa there are people starving, there are people who can't go to school, or even get the job they want. Also what being an american means to me is to be safe. The U.S of course has bad days but I know in reality we have a strong military to back us up. To me being an american is important and you shouldn't abuse it because ,as stated earlier, in other counties they don't have the same rights as US. An american to me also means to have freedoms.
What is an American? This question cannot be answered by one word. There are so many different characteristics, qualities, and features that can be used to describe an American. Besides features, someone is only a real American if they take advantage of all of the many privileges that are given to them. Any person that is not grateful for the privileges that are given to them to me are not real Americans but this is only my opinion. Real Americans use their privileges to benefit themselves and everyone around them. In today's society there are certain things that are expected from American citizens, for instance being a responsible citizen.
What It Means To Be An American My true definition of what it means to be an American is, celebrating the holidays with your family. Our country of the United States is and will always be Interwoven from the Fourth Of July to celebrate the Independence that we are given from the soldiers that fought in a war for us, our freedom of Independence that we are not disparate from each other, and spending time with you family or friends celebrating this special day by firing off fireworks or going to your local parade. Also my favourite of the holidays being Christmas with the long break that us kids in school get, or spending time with family and eating celebratory dinners with the people you love the most. All though other people have many different ideas of what it means to be an American, this is what I believe is the definition of being an American.
What does America mean to you? I recently returned from my 8th grade field trip to Washington DC. Here I would see and experience memories of a lifetime with my classmates. I would learn what America really meant to me as an American. The three most important words that would come to me throughout the entire trip would be Liberty, Diversity and the American Dream. I would be reminded of the important freedoms our government fought over to be free, and the diversity it allowed people living in our country to have. What is Liberty, it is the freedom you have to do without question or permission. What is Diversity, is to be from any country, culture, skin color, religion or political belief. To accept and respect anyone who is different than you.