Being An American Essay

687 Words3 Pages

The red, white, and blue flag ripples in the wind as men and women place their hands to their thumping hearts to salute the very country that guarantees their independence. Unlike citizens in other nations, Americans can take each step with pride knowing that they are free from persecution and limitations. America is filled with a diverse array of people, many of whom are willing to sacrifice their lives so that the country can continue to protect people’s rights. An American is not only a person who physically resides in the country and speaks the language, but a person who commits to the values of the nation, such as liberty and patriotism, and through hard work, finds opportunities and a better tomorrow. Americans, as a population, …show more content…

Americans view the next phases in their life in a hopeful manner; when immigrants onboard the vessel arrive at Ellis Island, overlooking the Statue of Liberty, they are optimistic and ready to earn their place in society by working (Leslie). The image illustrates that although immigrants approach a new country that they are unfamiliar with, they are not so lost in their dreams that they forget that success in America means applying themselves; from the depiction, it is clear that Americans can flourish because of their efforts. Furthermore, Americans do not lay idly by or partake in “useless labour”; instead, they are strong willed and do not expect things to come easily, but they create “their own world of liberty” (Crèvecoeur, Yezierska). The fact that Americans are driven as opposed to indolent proves that they want to find America for themselves, because they yearn to contribute to the nation in their own personal way. Additionally, an American exemplifies a keen gratitude for the opportunities of the country that are available for people who “want to work and… succeed” (McCain). At their core, Americans display an industrious attitude because they have willing hearts and an aspiration to use their skills to better the nation, not only for themselves but for future generations. Overall, Americans are people who thrive and discover new prospects through their diligent