Definition Essay: What It Means To Be An American

What It Means To Be An American

The “politically correct’ definition of what it is to be an American to some maybe, someone who is “born here”, who continues to show patriotism and who would do anything for one's country. A person who believes that America is the best place to be, someone who shows pride in one’s nation, and someone who respects America’s history as a whole. These are just a few elements that may make up the definition of what it is to be an American. A popular quote spoken by President Barack Obama says the following; “Let us remember we are all part of one American family. We are united under in common values , and that includes belief in equality under the law, basic respect for public order, and the right of peaceful

Many of which who had came from different parts of the world throughout the years. A famous speech spoken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on October 28, 1936, was given to thousands of people to address the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of The Statue of Liberty. The speech is basically a tribute to not only the statue of liberty but to the migrants that came over in order to make a better life for themselves and their families.“They came to us speaking many tongues, but a single language, the universal language of human aspiration. How well their hopes were justified is proved by the record of what they achieved. They not only found freedom in the New World, but by their effort and devotion, they made the New World's freedom safer, and richer, more far-reaching, more capable of growth.” This speech also contributes to what it means to be an American by giving the listeners or the readers an insight on how we should appreciate everyone and their background and how every person contributes to America's economy. To be American is not as simple as being born in the United States. To be an American is about embracing the culture and way of life. Americans can enjoy freedom of speech and are part of a diverse and rich culture. An American is someone who embraces freedom and liberty. In short, to be an American, it is necessary to embrace the culture and become a part of it regardless of where you were actually