Monday, October 7, 2013
What is an American?
To me an American is anyone who lives in this country, you don't have to possess certain characteristics or have been born here. If you are living in America today there is some purpose for you being here (legally or illegally). In fact those whom are here illegally are true Americans more than other people because they face horrific consequences, but do it all for the American dream. When someone asks me, what is an American? I say, it is us, the people of the united states who strive for freedom and independence, it is us the people who live here despite all the obstacles that face us. To be an American you don't have to live in conformity, or have papers, or even have a specific attitude. Being an American has to do with where you live, and the reason that you live there. People refers to others as less than if they don't have citizenship, but from my perspective, those whom risk their lives and waves their rights are equally as American as the ones born here. To be an American you can be your self, because no matter what some one, some where in this country will accept you. We should all (as Americans) be living the American dream rather than focusing on those whom are "not American", because at heart we are all just people who strives to live the American way of freedom.
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I really like how you think those who are here illegally are more true of an American than those who are legal. I've never thought about that, and I think that you are right, because they really work to be here because they don't usually have much else. Legal citizens sometimes take our rights for granted, and like Mr. McCarthy said, wouldn't know what they had until it was gone. Awesome points.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right in saying that people illegally in America are just as much if not more of an American because they have worked hard to get to where they are now. It's odd how someone is "illegal" though because this land was formerly the Native Americans' land and the Europeans, Africans, Asians, and whoever else have moved here are technically "illegal" in the sense that they were not "registered" as citizens when they first arrived and we wouldn't be here today if the Native Americans kicked out foreigners that they felt were a threat to them (which would be almost all foreigners) the way our government in present day is trying to prevent people from crossing borders without passports and whatnot.
ReplyDeleteYour right, in the sense that America is made of all races united "illegally", and I understand your point that the government is being unjust about those who are trying to enter the U.S. now. That would make a strong case for why the government should allow all "illegals" to continue to live here.
DeleteI never thought about how those who are illegally in the United States are more American. I completely agree. They have to fight to be here and they truly know what it is like to be an American because they have worked hard to come and stay here! So great point!
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