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Jordan Palomares
Mrs. Hodgins
Adv. English 11, B10
November 13, 2015
Being American
The Oxford Dictionary defines American as something related to or characteristic of the
United States or its inhabitants. This statement can have many interpretations for different
people. Craig Ferguson, a former CBS Late Late Show host and a legal immigrant from
Scotland, received his United States citizenship in 2008. On July 4th of that year, in a speech at
Faneuil Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, he said, America is not only the greatest country on
Earth, but also the finest expression of hope for the human race. I feel this description of the
United States is what the founding fathers of our country wanted to create in 1776, when they
wrote in the Declaration of Independence that, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness; they also included the Bill of
Rights as part of the Constitution. Being American should not just mean you are born in the
United States, or are a legal immigrant, and it should not be based on race, religion, or economic
status. Being an American means individuals need to use these freedoms, endowed by our
forefathers wisely and loyally to improve our country and the world.
These freedoms give people many choices; they have the freedom of speech and freedom
of religion. In order to use these right rights wisely people need to voice their opinions
appropriately. As individuals practice their religion they should remember to respect others of

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different faiths. It is also important to listen to others carefully and value their right to think
differently.
Americans have the freedom to vote for their public officials. This means more than just
going to the polls and getting an I voted sticker. To make wise choices, people need to stay
informed of the issues and views of all the candidates, and weigh this information carefully
before making a decision. When there are disappointments or problems with the government one
needs to contact proper representatives and join organizations to try and change it. As Senator
John McCain said in his acceptance speech at the Republican Convention in 2008, If you find
faults with our country, make it a better one.
In America, everyone is entitled to a good education and with hard work they can reach
their goals and dreams. This can bring financial security and personal contentment; however, as
the U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy explained in a lecture, at the National
Conference on Citizenship in 2005, While in modern times there is a hedonistic component to
the definition of happiness, for the framers of the Declaration of Independence happiness meant
that feeling of self-worth and dignity you acquire by contributing to your community and to its
civic life. Being American means having empathy for other people and helping them. Some
people become teachers, members of the clergy, medical personnel, first responders, or even run
for public office in order to improve the lives of others. These civil service professionals and
many other people volunteer in the community, state, federal, and global organizations such as
food banks, literacy programs, the Red Cross, and the Peace Corp in order to find fulfillment and
make the world a better place. As John Fitzgerald Kennedy stated in his 1961 Inaugural Address,
Ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country.

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In addition to exercising our rights and freedoms responsibly, being American means
having loyalty to and love for our country. Patriotism inspires compassion and courage and
makes our military and other first responders to enter harms way in order to protect all of us.
The National Anthem is not just a song to introduce ball games and the Pledge of Allegiance to
our flag is not just a routine part of school. Being American means listening to the words and
living by them.
The United States has always faced challenges in the past, we face them in the present,
and will face more in the future: wars, terrorist threats, the economy, immigration, and other
major issues. By making good choices, helping others at home and abroad, and being patriotic
citizens, we find solutions to problems despite our differences. When tragic events occur we
unite, rebuild, and at times when negotiation fails, we stand our ground. Lee Greenwood says it
best in his song, God Bless the U.S.A.: I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today /
Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away. /And I'm proud to be an
American where at least I know I'm free. (line 3-5)

Works Cited

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Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. 1 October 2013. 11 11 2015.
<http://blog.dictionary.com/happiness/>.
Hahn, Linda. Tea Party Command Center. 29 April 2014. 10 November 2015.
<http://teapartyorg.ning.com/video/craig-ferguson-speech-faneuil-hall-boston-4th-ofjuly-2008>.
Kennedy, John F. Great American Documents. 20 January 1961. 10 November 2015.
<http://www.greatamericandocuments.com/speeches/jfk-inaugural.html>.
Latino Rebels. Latino Rebels. 4 July 2012. 10 November 2015.
<http://www.latinorebels.com/2012/07/04/the-declaration-of-independence-the-full-textin-english-and-spanish/>.
Lee Greenwood. Proud To Be An American. Rec. Nov. 1983. Jerry Crutchfield, 2001.
Youtube.com. Web.

12 Nov. 2015.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E>.
McCain, John. Great American Documents. 2008 Septermber 5th 2008. 10 November 2015.
<http://www.greatamericandocuments.com/speeches/mccain-acceptance.html>.
Oxford Dictionaries. n.d. 10 November 2015.
<http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/American>.
Quigley, Rachel. Digital image. Daily Mail.com. Associated Newspapers Ltd, 29 July 2011. Web.
12 Nov. 2015.
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2020215/President-Bush-explains-blank-facetold-9-11-attacks.html>.