What Does It Mean to Be an American?

What is an American? Americans are self-spoken individuals full of radical ideas and egotistical spirits. This spirit has created the supreme economic monster that is America today. America is about freedom of speech and press, freedom of religion and most importantly freedom of choice. These three key components make up what it means to be an American. Freedom of speech was granted to Americans in the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This freedom can be in the form of a peaceful protest or even a remark against the government. Without freedom of speech, it would be as though America had a dictatorship and no individual could speak of what they wished. Likewise, Americans would never rise up against what they did not agree with. Throughout American history freedom of speech has played a tremendous part in shaping the fundamentals of this nation. During the civil rights movement in the 1960’s, many civil rights activists such as Martin Luther King used their freedom of speech privilege to protest the many injustices they faced. Without these memorable protests, this country may still be a segregated nation. Freedom of press allows newspapers and television, as well as other forms of broadcasts, to say whatever they wish as long as it is reality. During presidential elections, candidates cannot hide from the press. Every flaw is shown to American public so that they can make their own judgment with all the facts provided. Religious freedom is such a novel and radical thought to many countries throughout the world. The melting pot that is the United States welcomes all religions with open arms. When driving down the street in America one can find numerous types of churches with uniquely different religious affiliations. Even in the classroom a variety of religious backgrounds and ways of life are apparent. We may not agree with another opinion or philosophy, yet we all coexist on American soil. Only in America can you walk out of the service of a