What It Means To Be An American Essay

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What does it mean to be an American? This is a complicated question only because there are so many aspects involved in being American. There is the hope of fulfilling an American dream and the patriotism felt towards America. There are prejudices and discrimination toward those who are different and rights and freedoms in abundance. There is the innovation of Americans and the diversity seen here. To be an American means to fight for the freedom and protection of not only oneself, but for everyone, because they all deserve the life that is available in America.
The American Dream is what people think of when they imagine life in America; it is full of hope for a better life. Part of what defines the United States is being the “golden land of flowing
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From the beginning, “the United States has defined itself as an innovative nation… from science and technology to the arts, a dynamic interaction of ideas, traditions, and talents has fueled new achievements and influenced the national experience.” It started with the making of our laws and the formation with our political ideals. The forward-thinking ideas of “the freedom of speech, [and] of the press,” as well as religion, are just some examples of the political path America was on. These new ways of thinking extended to entrepreneurs and inventors as well. When the Wright Brothers successfully flew the first airplane, they changed the world forever and now, “the impact of the airplane on the 20th century is beyond measure.” Throughout the twentieth century, America became well known for its inventions. Since then, “many experts contend that America’s inventive spirit is already flagging.” While there has been a decline in the magnitude of new inventions and technologies, Americans still hold the ability to think progressively and make incredible changes within their

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