Definition Of Being An American By Kendi

Defining The American Identity: A Personal Narrative

What does being American mean? This is a question that has been debated for centuries and is particularly relevant in today's political climate. In her essay, "Am I American?"

Ibram X. Kendi explores this question, offering his own definition of what it means to be an

American. Kendi argues that freedom is central to American identity, especially the freedom to express yourself, challenge yourself, and follow your dreams without fear of discrimination or persecution. As an African American, I have witnessed firsthand how systemic racism and prejudice can narrow one's options and make the pursuit of happiness as difficult as possible. But I also think that American ideas about freedom, equality,

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Americans, African Americans, and immigrants from certain countries are just some of the groups that have historically been denied citizenship in the United States. The difficult details of the struggle and resistance that constitute the reality of American identity are not an easy story to accept. In his article, Kendi writes, "To be an American is to be a dreamer and a critic, an optimist and a realist, a believer." This quote resonates with me because I believe that being an American is about balancing opposing forces and perspectives. On the one hand, there is the idealism of the

American Dream and the belief that anyone can achieve success with hard work and determination. On the other hand, there is the reality of systemic inequalities and injustices that can make it difficult for certain groups to succeed. To be an American is to recognize both of these perspectives and to work towards a society that lives up to its ideals while acknowledging its flaws.

I believe that personal experiences shape how we understand and exercise American ideals. For example, as Kendi notes, the freedom to express oneself is a fundamental aspect of

I remember a time when I was in high school and I spoke to a few students about some racist remarks they made. Instead of being supported, I was ridiculed and called an

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"angry black person." This experience taught me that freedom of expression is not always guaranteed, especially for marginalized groups.

Finally, Kendi talks about the American idea of the pursuit of happiness. He states that

Americans believe that "everyone should be free to pursue their dreams and passions." While I do believe that this idea is an important aspect of American identity, I also realize that it is not always easy to achieve. As an African American, I have faced many obstacles in my pursuit of happiness. For example,quite some time ago, I wanted to pursue a career in art, but I remember being discouraged by those who believed it was not a viable career path. This experience taught me that the pursuit of happiness is not always easy and that it often requires a great deal of determination and perseverance.

In conclusion, American identity is a very complicated and complex concept that is influenced by both social and personal experiences. My definition of American identity goes hand in