What does it mean to be an American?
What does it mean to be an American? There are many definitions on what it means to be an American because there are many diversities in this country. Historian Philip Gleason once said, ”To be or to become an American, a person did not have to be any particular national, learning languages, religious, or ethnic background. All he had to do was to commit himself to the political ideology centered on the abstract ideals of liberty, equality, and republicanism. Thus the universalist ideological character of American nationality meant that it was open to anyone who willed to become an American.” Historian Philip Gleason is saying that what someone has to do to be an American is to embrace the American life. …show more content…
For an example, foreign countries like China, Saudi Arabia, Korea, and Iran don’t have religious freedom. The United States of America is a country that represents the fact that its citizens have many rights and freedom to offer. Having freedom and being American can have many definitions. One of the many rights available to Americans is that they have the freedom of choosing their religion. In contrast to China, Saudi Arabia, Korea, and Iran, Americans have the freedom to put their faith in whatever religion they choose, even if they were born into it or not. Americans can worship any god they want and however they want. Americans can choose to believe in nothing at all. Since our culture is so diverse we can barely tell people’s nationality, race, and religion. In fact, most people are from Europe, Africa, Asia etc., but where someone came from or what their race is does not define what being an American really means. Their values which are freedom, equality, and freedom of religion for this country is what makes someone an American. America provides U.S. citizens with the freedom to an education. In places like India, Pakistan,and Afghanistan, girls are not allowed to attend school simply because they were born female. In America, women receive an excellent education equal to men, and even have the opportunity to become more successful in their careers than men. In America a person can marry whomever they want, regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, etc; In many countries across the world, girls at young ages are forced to get an arranged marriage, most likely to provide a profit to their
What does it mean to be an American? There are many definitions on what it means to be an American because there are many diversities in this country. Historian Philip Gleason once said, ”To be or to become an American, a person did not have to be any particular national, learning languages, religious, or ethnic background. All he had to do was to commit himself to the political ideology centered on the abstract ideals of liberty, equality, and republicanism. Thus the universalist ideological character of American nationality meant that it was open to anyone who willed to become an American.” Historian Philip Gleason is saying that what someone has to do to be an American is to embrace the American life. …show more content…
For an example, foreign countries like China, Saudi Arabia, Korea, and Iran don’t have religious freedom. The United States of America is a country that represents the fact that its citizens have many rights and freedom to offer. Having freedom and being American can have many definitions. One of the many rights available to Americans is that they have the freedom of choosing their religion. In contrast to China, Saudi Arabia, Korea, and Iran, Americans have the freedom to put their faith in whatever religion they choose, even if they were born into it or not. Americans can worship any god they want and however they want. Americans can choose to believe in nothing at all. Since our culture is so diverse we can barely tell people’s nationality, race, and religion. In fact, most people are from Europe, Africa, Asia etc., but where someone came from or what their race is does not define what being an American really means. Their values which are freedom, equality, and freedom of religion for this country is what makes someone an American. America provides U.S. citizens with the freedom to an education. In places like India, Pakistan,and Afghanistan, girls are not allowed to attend school simply because they were born female. In America, women receive an excellent education equal to men, and even have the opportunity to become more successful in their careers than men. In America a person can marry whomever they want, regardless of ethnicity, race, religion, etc; In many countries across the world, girls at young ages are forced to get an arranged marriage, most likely to provide a profit to their