What makes an American, ‘American’? The answer to this question will vary greatly depending on the respondent’s beliefs and cultural background. As the United States continues to grow and evolve in areas such as race, ethnicity and culture, the image of America changes as well. In an article entitled ‘Nation or Notion’ by Patrick J. Buchanan, he argues that Americans need a common identity based upon ancestry and culture to survive as a country. On the other hand, an article entitled ‘What Does It Mean to Be an “American”?’ by Michael Walzer argues that America does not need a common identity.…
Though this book was impressive, and not a lengthy read, there are still a few improvements to be made. There is so much more to American Citizenship than just the right to vote and the right to earn one’s own wages. Shklar failed to include the views of the modern-day American and how most of them perceive citizenship and how minority groups are viewed…
In the documentary by Jose Antonio Vargas titled “Documented”. Vargas illustrates his life story and constant struggle of lacking the necessary paperwork to live in the United States. Throughout the documentary, Vargas brings a new light to the issue of immigration in the United States. Vargas focuses on the idea of immigration reform and pushes for reform through the large population of undocumented immigrants. Jose Vargas being one of the eleven million undocumented immigrants, he uses his own personal experience as an example of how difficult it is for an undocumented immigrant to become documented.…
While it still has not passed Congress, the DREAM Act continues to be fought for against heavy opposition. Although the consequences of such an act passing are not entirely clear, an analysis conducted in 2016 estimated that it would extend amnesty to two million people in the United States. (Lecture 2/22). These three governmental actions, accompanied by a slew of others, shaped the nation’s stance on immigration during the 20th and 21st centuries and helped determine what it means to be a legal…
When America first started out as a growing nation—with seemingly endless opportunities and chances for success —a concept grew along with it. A concept that in it of itself is protected by the Declaration of Independence but was not coined until the late 1930s: the American Dream. The American Dream is the ideology, which many people follow, that states that there is an equal opportunity for Americans to attain success if they show determination and work persistently. However, this ideal today is far from what it started as. In Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich explores the idea of not only thriving in the lower classes of the nation, but also surviving.…
Francisco, California, USA] : Kanopy Streaming, 2016. Streaming video file from Kanopy (Lease). : 14: Dred Scott, Wong Kim Ark and Vanessa Lopez explores the recurring question about who has the right to be an American citizen. 14 examines the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment through compelling personal stories and expertly-told history. Under the Fourteenth Amendment, All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.…
Diana Pham, an immigrant from Vietnam, wrote, “Our two daughters are just finishing their university education at Stanford and Michigan which would never have been possible without this country’s belief in equality”(Document A, Diana Pham, Chicago, IL, July 2012). The founding principle of equality secured her daughters future. America continues to live up to another ideal that humans “are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights” (Document A, Declaration of Sentiments, Women’s Rights Convention, Seneca Falls, NY, 1848). The natural rights listed in the Declaration of Independence “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” are still pursued today as many people like Pham’s daughters come here much like the Pilgrims did so long ago. The fight for equality must come first though so all citizens enjoy these inalienable…
The primary purpose of including birthright citizenship in the fourteenth amendment was to ensure citizenship to freed slaves after the Civil War, which angered many confederate sympathizers and pro-slavery advocates. The status quo pre-Civil War deemed that African slaves were not citizens, but rather less than human. The very foundations of America legitimized treating slaves as fungible commodities rather than equal people. The earliest controversies of the United States focused on the value of African slaves. The legislative outcome of these controversies, the Three-Fifths Compromise of 1787 ultimately sealed the fate of not only African slaves, but also any immigrant outsiders to forevermore be perceived as less than a white man.…
Over the years North America has become the home to many immigrants, resulting to this continent to become a big melting pot of cultures. People from all over the world moved to America to find their own American Dream. Nancy Lee Johnson, a senior at George Washington High, had a passion for Art and contested to win a scholarship, which she thought would be her way out to a better life. Nancy Lee’s displeasure to not winning the Artist Club Scholarship due to her being a “Negro” made her to rethink the true meaning to the Pledge of Allegiance that she said every week at the assembly’s. Nancy Lee was a proud “Negro American” even though she knew that “A Negro in America was often hurt, discriminated against, sometimes lynched…” she still believed in her American dream.…
The people of the United States should not get rid of the Fourteenth Amendment because it is not ethical to take it away. The Fourteenth Amendment was introduced in July 28, 1868. The purpose for this amendment was getting the people who were born in the United States the same freedom as any other American citizens. The Fourteenth Amendment states, All person born or naturalized in the United States and of the state where in the reside no state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws’ (Jordan,…
Gary Gerstle’s “American Crucible: Race and Nation in the Twentieth Century” thrive upon the ideals of race and civic nationalism definitively shaping the American twentieth century (Gerstle 5). Racial divides impacted most conceivable aspects of daily life: economic status, social divides, laws, and even military practices. Civic nationalism is synonymous with patriotism, and a loyalty to one’s country of citizenship, an aspect constantly under question with an unsure government. Along-side race and nation-key American figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X, and the prominent Roosevelt cousins, Franklin and Theodore shaped America’s policies and cultural attitudes for over half a century.…
Embedded in the Declaration of Independence in the United States is the American dream. It is asserted that “all men were created equal” with everyone having the right to liberty, life and equal chances in life. In addition, is apparent that the American Dream has been the core guide of Americans and their young ones as they endeavour to rise and transcend barriers in their social and economic lives. This is even more elaborate in the history of America citing the fact that the American Dream acts as the national ethos. Consequentially, the American dream is imminent in the lives of Americans and although its components have adjusted over the centuries, it remains sturdy nationally.…
From the year 1776 up until now, over 318 million people call themselves an American Citizen and follow their own path in life that they have set out for themselves. The ideal American, is part of a race that shows patriotism for their country, they have freedoms, rights and protection that allow them opportunities to work and get an education because, they have high visions and hope to become successful in this new world. As one drives down the side streets of an American city neighborhood, almost half the houses on the block are displaying the colors most associated with America and its people; Red white, and blue. In cities, Immigrants are then able to group up with their own and be in a familiar culture while still pursuing their dream.…
American Dream Synthesis Essay The American Dream, or the idea that each American has an equal opportunity at success, is becoming untrue as certain people who are able to achieve higher education through financial abundance or are American-born have an unfair advantage compared to less wealthy immigrant citizens. People who have not received higher education, such as college, have a much diminished chance at achieving the American Dream. In today’s society, being unable to attend college leads to having minimal career choices. In reality, this is highly unfair, as people become practically forced into a job they do not want just because they can not pay to get into a university.…
CCJ 6638: Communities & Crime Mariel Snouffer Topic 2: The Origins and Legacies of the Urban Crisis Contrary to the belief that anyone that works hard enough will be rewarded, “real life” is not necessarily the “American Dream” that everyone thinks. Neighborhoods do indeed matter for individual outcomes both independently and beyond individual characteristics. There are many long term impacts on the intergenerational transmission of poverty and wealth; and most certainly crossing racial and ethnic lines. The “American Dream” is the idea that is the primary story of American Immigration; the proposal that steered much of the thrust for civil rights. It is also a suggestion that has been undeviating with the American’s perception of impartial and just treatment, as long as there is a universal option for advancement.…