What does it mean to be an American? Does it mean having a barbeque on fourth of July and shooting fireworks celebrating our country’s independence? Does it mean knowing the U.S. constitution by heart? Or what about being a citizen in the land of the free and the home of the brave? Many people use being in a diverse nation, the U.S. Constitution, and the freedoms that come with being a citizen of the United States as examples of what it means to be an American. America is a very diverse nation. Many Americans come from different cultural backgrounds, traditions, and religious views. A quote from civil rights activist, Cesar Chavez, states: “We need to help students and parents cherish and preserve the ethnic and cultural diversity that nourishes and strengthens this community-and this nation.” The quote is saying that we can become stronger and get more knowledge and communicate with other types of people and not mind the differences. Being in a diverse nation, many different races, cultures of people, and people of different beliefs come together to learn from eachother and become one …show more content…
The freedom of religion allows people to worship what God or gods they want or not have a religion at all. This freedom is not available everywhere in the world and many are incarcerated or put to death if they practice their beliefs in other countries. The freedom of education allows all groups of people to get a education. In other countries around the world, girls are not allowed to go to school and learn. A quote from the fourth president of the United States, James Madison, states: “The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or in any pretext, infringed.” This quote means that everyone has basic freedoms and equal rights that can not be taken away from