Preview

Definition Essay: The American Identity

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
366 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Definition Essay: The American Identity
The American Identity is something that we all overlook, but is still there underneath our feet. The American Identity is the idea that we all are from different cultures. There is a conflict that shows us Americans wanting to be the same, or not stand out and be different. Deep down, we cannot be the same because we all have our disagreements and favorites. The Identity shows us that we, by no means, cannot be the same. You can only be the same with your close relatives, because they are from the same beginning. “...it will be possible to trace in the skin color, the shape of the eyes and the noses, the texture of the hair, a map of the world.” (Quindlen, Anna. A Quilt of a Country. Newsweek, 2001, p. 16.) Every person that you pass by on

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Do you know what it means to be an American? There is several ways to show what it is to be an American. For example, the police protect our streets everyday. Also the people that have careers that makes our country a better place. An American is showing patriotism, having freedom, and showing love and devotion for your country.…

    • 488 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    American identity has been created by many events throughout the course of history. This country was founded on the clashing and mixing of many different cultures and lifestyles. One of the most important periods of time for this country was during the period of conflict between Americans and Native Americans over land rights. Americans had an idea of manifest destiny and that this land was theirs for the taking. The Americans were going to walk through anyone who opposed them in this quest for land. The treatment of the Indians during this time period was harsh, cruel, and violent to say the least. It is in this treatment that Americans came to view the Indians as a "racialized other" and where race began to matter. This early thinking is what created our American identity which is based on race.…

    • 951 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I think the majority of Americans have the experience of protesting or dream to in the future. Individuals want to protest to bring change for a better future in their society. Protesting can reflect as an American experience and identity by wanting to have the freedom of speech or fight for what they believe in. I have chosen a work of art image, that portrays the significance of how protesting can reflect as an American experience and identity.…

    • 1018 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    America, have you ever just stopped, and wonder what are the basic fundamentals that make you proud to be an American? In other words, what makes you proud of your country? Many people just believe America it just another insignificant and common north American country conforming the earth’s geography. Well based on your personal experience with America, which opinion do you think America is more likely to match with? In this essay I am going to be expressing my personal opinion of this country, making you change your view and opinion about it. More specifically, I am going to be talking about equality, freedom and democracy. Just a little taste of how fortunate we are as to be living here in this extraordinary place.…

    • 882 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Have you ever heard a really exciting piece played by an orchestra, symphony, or even a band(meaning one made up of brass, woodwinds, and percussion)? I think of my cultural identity like a beautiful masterpiece made up of many different components and layers of voices. I hope after reading my essay you will be able to think of your own cultural identity in an exciting manner such as I veiw my own.…

    • 879 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    What it means to be an American, most people would tell you it means freedom to pursue and do what you want. In my opinion freedom and the “dream” don't come easy it takes more than hard work and dedication to earn a dime in this country. To be an American it means, responsibility to serve and do everything in your power to be a part of your society. To be an American it means you will obtain rights, for example, the 2nd amendment states you have the right to bare arms. To be an American it means you have freedom, to own whatever you desire if you work hard enough for it.…

    • 436 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    “To be an American for me means freedom and justice. I also think being an American is a big responsibility.” This is the response of 10-year-old Neil from Wisconsin when asked the question, “What does it mean to be an American?” Neil is right; Americans have responsibilities that are imperative to living in America and helping the United States be prosperous and successful. If everyone were to learn and follow these obligations, America could be the utopia it was meant to be. These certain responsibilities are: teaching responsibility, participating in voting, and supporting and defending the Constitution.…

    • 527 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Americans have always been a proud people, very competitive, and full of courage. Examples of this are shown in many generational moments such as the Revolution, Civil War, Pearl Harbor bombing, and the attack on the World Trade Center. Despite all these man-made calamities, America continues to rebound and come back better than before. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, a high-ranking Japanese official once stated,”I am afraid we have awoken a sleeping giant,” and, was found to be more than right.…

    • 608 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Issue Common Identity

    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The questions that is asked to personally answer in this discussion is do I agree or disagree that Americans need a common identity. I agree with Michael Walzer’s, the man in the textbook, opinion; No, Americans do not need common identity. My opinion is why chance America from the way it was and still is; especially, if America is not doing any harm the way it is. D’Angelo and Dougals (2011) stated that European was the first people to immigrant to America [during the 17th century]. That statement tells me that multiculturalism is what America always has been. Immigration has been the primary cause of the growth of the American population from a little less than 4 million in 1790 to over 270 million in 2000 (Hirschman, 2005, para. 18). If it was not for multiculturalism (immigrants) Americans would have over half of the things they have today. For example, over half of American’s vehicles such as Nissan, Honda, Volkswagen and Mazda are made oversea. Nissan’s, Mazda’s and Honda’s vehicles are made in Japan while Volkswagens are made in Germany. Overall, 50% of Americans buy these vehicles. Canada, Mexico, and China import the most of America’s products. Petroleum products, passenger cars, aluminums, and lumbers are the most items Canada imports to America. We all use these items or have used these items before. Crude oil, car parts, video equipment such as DVD players, and electrical parts are the most things Mexico imports to America. Over 80% of American has DVD players in their home. China imports a lot of things to America such as computers, miscellaneous household goods, toys, household furniture, and footwear. Look at all the things listed that we get from China, there is no way we can do without China’s items. If American has a common identity, we would never be the same. We will not have over half of the things have. In my opinion, if is not broke do not try to fix it.…

    • 483 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of an American is a person born, raised, or living in the U.S. but is that what it truly means to be an American? Millions from all around the world come to USA to turn their life around because they weren’t doing so good at their home country. Many people have their own meaning of being an American which most are similar or have a similar idea but I feel like my meaning of an American is meaningful to me because of the state our country is in. Clearly, it means different things to many different people.…

    • 820 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Being An American

    • 1330 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Many people come to the United States to attain their dreams and, at some point, earn the title of an American. It is a term that is thrown around often, but do we honestly know the true meaning? Recently, the entire nation has become divided over what it means to live and be a part of America. Therefore, as a writer for the Washington Post stated, “If we can’t agree on what being “American” really means, it’s going to be very hard to find common ground on anything else” (Cillizza). The term American is an abstract idea and cannot be completely defined. There are many elements to consider because everyone is different, but that is what makes America so special. It is home to a very diverse nation. The meaning behind being an American can be…

    • 1330 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Identity can mean many things. The definition can be as simple as someone’s fingerprint or name. It can be defined as someone's actions and how they affect other people’s lives. It can even be someone’s interests or their career. The question, who am I, can have multiple answers. So, who am I? For a girl that is more concerned about who she wants to be rather than who she is currently that’s a hard question to answer. Identity to her means more than just a fingerprint. Her identity is her persona. She wants to be outgoing. She wants to be the girl that is less concerned about what the world thinks of her. She wants to be the girl that chases after what she wants and gets it. She wants to be more than what society views her to be.…

    • 516 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cultural identity is a huge part of who we are. Not only does it define our interests, it also dictates why and who we interact with. It affects so many things in our life that it can be hard to find anything at all that isn’t affected by it. For me personally, the biggest parts of my cultural identity are the food I eat, the people I spend my time with, and the music I listen to.…

    • 570 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Samuel, I really enjoyed your post as I like hearing about other people’s family history since mine is so diverse. With your skin tone, eyes, and hair I can see why someone may say you look Hispanic. At least you take it in stride. Today, too many people get offended when someone calls them the wrong race or ethnic origin. It is really good that you continue your family’s tradition of cooking Greek and Italian dishes and I hope your children continue that. My family has been in this country so long and has so many nationalities in the mix that we have Southern traditions instead of a specific country. I do enjoy researching my family’s history. I do not have anyone famous in my family so far, but my great-great grandfather, Private John Henry Gwathney, did manage to survive the Civil War while serving under General Nathan Bedford Forrest.…

    • 257 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The American identity has been a roller coaster, it has many ups and downs and it seems to have been going downhill for quite some time. America is not the way it used to be. Our country was rough in the beginning great in the middle and now it is becoming pretty bad again.…

    • 826 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays