What It Means to be American Essay - 1256 Words

What it means to be American? Everybody you ask this question to will have a completely different response. Some responses might have similarities but none will be exactly the same. In the beginning of the year my response was â€Å"To be an American means having a rich history, having opportunities to better ourselves, and having freedoms.† Unfortunately not everyone has had the same opportunities or freedoms. Native Americans, who are indigenous, dealt with having their freedoms taken away, less opportunities even though they had rich history in this land before it was taken away from them. Look at what Zitkala-Sa endured. Not only that, but African Americans have fought long and hard for freedom and equality as well. W.E.B. Du Bois stood for†¦show more content†¦Freedoms taken away from her in the hope for education and opportunities. Is it worth it? Is it worth it to give up freedoms, maybe a little bit of ourselves? Do we endure these difficulties now to then bet ter ourselves in the future? I’m sure that’s something Zitkala-Sa thought about. She wanted to be educated like the â€Å"paleface† Maybe she thought to be like the â€Å"paleface† was to be American. For Zitkala-Sa the ending is a bitter-sweet moment. â€Å"There were two prizes given, that night, and one of them was mine! The little taste of victory did not satisfy a hunger in my heart. In my mind I saw my mother far away on the Western plains, and she was holding a charge against me.† Booker T. Washing had a view of what it was to be American. In â€Å"Up From Slavery†, his address made in Atlanta, Booker T. Washington says â€Å"Cast down your bucket where you are.† In effect, he proposed that African Americans should accommodate themselves to racial segregation and political disenfranchisement in order to enjoy a greater degree of economic security. â€Å"In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers , yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress.† Booker T.Show MoreRelatedWhat It Means to Be American954 Words   |  4 PagesAmericans strongly affirm the principles of religious freedom, religious tolerance, and separation of church and state. Nearly 9-in-10 (88 percent) Americans agree that America was founded on the idea of religious freedom for everyone, including religious groups that are unpopular. Ninety-five percent of Americans agree that all religious books should be treated with respect even if we don’t share the religious beliefs of those who use them. 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The analysis of the American Identity is portrayed through four fundamental principlesRead MoreWhat Does it Mean to be an American? Essay1602 Words   |  7 Pagesfirst century and a quarter of the history of the United States of America, what it means to be an American has been defined by a number of different documents. The authors of those documents have come from varied backgrounds all searching to find their place in the growth and development of this country. At the beginning of the nation, those authors came from the English tradition of what government should look like and what those who were looking to change that government should do. When the co untryRead MoreWhat It Means T Be an American Essay756 Words   |  4 PagesWhat does it mean to be an American? Many people dream about being an American. They dream because they envision America as the land of peace and prosperity. But is it? At times it has been, and at times its not. It is hard for the United States to be correct all the time because they have been unwilling designated as the World Police. Throughout history there have been examples politically, economically, and socially, where being an American is rewarding and times where it is embarrassingRead MoreWhat Does It Mean For The American Dream?864 Words   |  4 PagesWhat does it mean to be an American dream? It is a hope of the American people that everyone has a same opportunity to achieve a success through their resolution, originality, and hard-working. Hundreds and hundred years, millions of people all over the world come to America to search and prove the true of an American dream. Unfortunately, in fact, everybody has different opportunities and obstacles to achieve their dream relate to gender, and especially clas s. Firstly, a gender is an importantRead MoreWhat Does Eastern Religions Mean For Americans?1397 Words   |  6 Pagesâ€Å"What does Eastern Religions mean to Americans?† Starting in the 19th century, Buddhism began to make its way to America through the immigration of the Chinese whom brought their religious traditions with them. Buddhism continued to gain popularity in America when Buddhist texts, as well as Buddhist teachers, were brought here to share and spread their religion. It wasn’t until the late 1950’s/early 1960’s that we see the interest in Buddhism, particularly Zen Buddhism, blossom throughout the country