When faced with the formidable task of defining a term as broad as "American," one must expand their consideration beyond the word's literal meaning. According to Webster's Dictionary, an American is "a person from the United States or any of the countries of North, South, or Central America." While this definition is correct in the most literal sense, the term "American" has taken on greater meaning to people all over the world. For many, this one simple word brings to mind unique ideas of government, a quality of life, and a diversity of religious and ethnic backgrounds that have come to be associated with the United States and its citizens.
Recalling lives of oppression under tyrannical monarchs of the Old World, the first American settlers sought to return the power of government to the people. In doing this, they laid the foundation for a revolutionary experiment in governing: democracy. The idealistic goal of fairness and representation of all people was the cornerstone of this new system. With the First Amendment, freedom of expression (speech, religion, press, etc.) became another unique aspect of the U.S. Constitution. Though many governments have adopted this policy today, many still consider America the pioneer of expressive freedom. Perhaps the most important and revolutionary aspect of American government, however, is summed up by a short phrase of the Constitution: "all men are created equal." Before the U.S. Constitution was drafted (and even for some time afterward) no government on earth would grant equal rights to minorities. At the time of its introduction, the radical new form of government proposed by the first Americans contrasted sharply with the monarchies of the Old World, where political influence was far out of the reach of the average citizen. An American has a voice in his or her government and the right to equality.
Just as the fertile frontier of a new continent created unimaginable opportunity for the early immigrants to America, the prosperous economy and democratic government of the U.
What is an American? ... You ask what an American is? ... This is what makes America so unique and so special. ... America doesn't care what your color is, America still gives you the same opportunities as everybody else. ... So what exactly is an American? ...
What is an American? Everybody has different views on what they believe is an American. The dictionary defines an American as: Of or relating to the United States of America or its people, language, or culture. I think that America is a great place and I am proud to be an American, and in this essay I will demonstrate what I believe an American is. ... I think a great example of our patriotism was what happened on Sept. 11. ...
To most people living in America, being an American is thought to be a great thing. ... Americans get to make their own choices. ... Americans can be free in what they choose to wear and what they choose to do with their time and money. ... Everyone is entitled to what they want to believe in and to criticize someone for that would go against what our founding fathers worked so hard to create. ... Living the American Dream is living your own dream and being an American is all about being yourself. ...
What is an American? ... What really makes an American is the fact that they have heritage from other countries, but live here amongst other people with other separate backgrounds. ... However, the situation in America is that there is no "age-old American culture." There are no American-styled rugs or American-style leather dress shoes. ... One could literally visit Paris and see what our clothing will resemble in a decade. ...
What was an American? The American in the early creation of America was somewhat like the American now in these days. ... America was "the lands that conferred on them the title of freemen" (letters from an American Farmer 198). ... Any man that moved from another country could live in America no matter what race they were or the religion they believed in. ... You were not judged by what religion you practiced or what you believed in. ...
This is probably one of the hardest questions I have been asked: "What does it mean to be an American?"" ... Even though, I am not an American, for this short period of time I have spent here, I think I am pretty sure what being American is actually about. ... Ideas of freedom are what for years, not only soldiers, but all citizens of America have fought for. ... Those are ideas on what America was built on. ... And that's what America is, a promised land....
What it Means To Be an American : The first thing that comes to mind when I think of the word America is freedom. Many people don't understand what freedom means because they have always had it, only when you have never had freedom can you actually appreciate the true value of it. America is very prosperous due to the fact that every one is free. ... In America you can experience all types of cultures just by driving around town. ... Having expressed my views on what I think it is to be an American , I would like to state, that I never want to be anything besides an American, I pers...
What does it mean to be an American? ... Being an American means having freedom, justice and liberty. Anyone can be an American. ... Being an American means celebrating and honoring each others. differences. ... Most of all being an American means to appreciate the country we live in and to never take for granted the privilege of calling ourselves American...
What America Means To Me America is simply a place on earth where people thrive with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. ... I have seen many pictures of America, but not one has captured how majestic it truly is. ... America has grown out of segregation and integration is now basically looked upon with open arms. America is a masterpiece and not one artist has portrayed it as the beauty America truly is. America to me is a country, my home, a land of liberty, freedom, happiness, and honor. ...
