What does being an American mean to you? When you search “what is an American” on the internet, it is defined as “relating to or characteristic of the United States or its inhabitants” and “a native or citizen of the United States.” Being an American or having an American Identity doesn’t just mean that you’re from the U.S or have a U.S citizenship, rather it means how one acts within the American society and the role culture plays in their life. I conducted an interview on what it means to be an American to Hector Alava, a 21 year old alumni of Hyde Leadership Charter School and a current U.S citizen. Along with this interview, I additionally conducted research and found what a few influential people in American History thought it meant to be American.
In my interview with Hector, I asked multiple questions regarding his opinion towards being American. I first asked him if he felt any sort of way for being American and he responded with a pretty straight forward answer, stating that being American is no different than being from somewhere else in the world, it’s just that America is stereotyped as a this strong, powerful country that has unlimited opportunities for a better life. He also stated that although this country is a forced to reckon with in almost every category, it isn’t what everyone outside the U.S thinks it is. It also isn’t what every patriot says it is. I followed up by asking him why he thinks this and he said that there are lots of problems in today’s society that go untouched and ignored by the Federal Government. He then brought up the situation regarding Colin Kaepernick and Nike, saying that something like this doesn’t occur often in other nations.
Other than the problems in society, Hector shined some light on a few political problems and referred back to what he previously said, “it isn’t what everyone thinks it is.” I then go to ask him, “do people take pride in being American?” He explained that only certain people take pride in being American; the people who usually think America is such a great country. Hector, being Ecuadorian and Dominican, takes pride in those countries because they make up his ethnic background. I then followed up by asking him if ethnic backgrounds play a role in someone’s identity and if he has met someone with 100% American background. He replied by saying that it plays a huge role in someone’s identity and that he has met someone with 100% American background and he described him as really prideful, always carryng an American flag with him and always reminding people of how great America is.
Being an American embodies both loyalty and pride to our nation. Taking pride in one’s nation includes being supportive of the nations political, social, and economic policies and regulations. We can demonstrate our dedication by being engaged with common exercises, being dependable nationals, and following the laws of our nation, regardless of whether we oppose this idea. On the off chance that we dissent, we have the duty of standing up. Regarding the uniqueness of each culture, can enable us to advance racial solidarity and upgrade national solidarity.
Being faithful to your nation does not mean attempt to obscure the lines of what our progenitors needed. Try not to attempt to change or adjust to endeavor to suit your requirements. Life, Liberty and the quest for bliss. On the off chance that these were things our establishing fathers thought were imperative and our nation was established on this, at that point we need to alternatives support or move. We may not be running for congress, senate or the administration however we can be dynamic to improve our reality a place. Be dynamic in the community, help other people, get waste starting from the earliest stage you see it, hold an entryway for somebody, grin at others, make proper acquaintance with somebody cruising by, offer assistance to somebody in need. Be a piece of your locale watch, pay special mind to others not just yourself.
From a historical standpoint, there have been similar views of what it means to be an American. Mark Twain, a 20th century American author he stated that “We are called the nation of inventors. And we are. We could still claim that title and wear its loftiest honors if we had stopped with the first thing we ever invented, which was human liberty.” Twain also then stated that “Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.” With these statements, it can be inferred that Twain was indeed proud to call himself an American and America is seen as the epitome of human liberty. Other than Twain, multiple former U.S presidents have stated their beliefs on America and what an American means.
Harry Truman, the 33rd president of the United States said that “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” Also, President Theodore Roosevelt stated that “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.” From this, Theodore Roosevelt sees an American as someone who is truly free and who knows their worth.
Without a doubt, there isn’t a right or wrong answer to what an American is. It is up to the person to decide if they truly feel in contact with the nation and if they think the nation plays a role in their life. Everyone is unique in their own way so there isn’t necessarily a typical American so when someone asks what being American means, don’t be afraid.
