What do you think it means to be an American?

What do you think it means to be an American?

I think being an American means you have spent a significant part, if not most, of your life in the U.S. You support and believe in the U.S. Constitution and its amendments, and accept the laws of this nation. You are a natural (born) or naturalized citizen.

I have no idea!

Sometimes I think being an American is just "luck of the draw." Born (or naturalized) and raised in the US with the right to vote. Maybe we will get to come back and find out what its like to be Haitian, Biafran, Russian or Ukranian. Balance the scales.

Since I have been fortunate enough to travel to several other countries, I have to say that I remain happy to be an American. We have so many things, both material and non-material that others lack. But, to be an American truly means that you are willing to do what it takes to keep this country free, viable and moving toward the future. It means you recognize the need to pay taxes, to study politics and social movements, to vote, to serve on a jury when called, to honor war veterans but not to sully this honor by teaching your children that they should not join the military, to obey the laws but to be open to and to act to change them when they are not fair or when outdated, to accept and respect fellow Americans regardless of sex, race or opinions and to recognize just how privileged you are.

Love ritah's description!!

Rita, I do agree with you on most points. In a spiritual sense though, I like to think that being American is similar to the Golden Rule: due onto others....Unfortunately, it's the opposite here, the Gold rules.
I appreciate my material things but what about medicare for all, free education and health insurance for all the babies that our born whether the mother is in agreement or not.
I'm almost 70, and at times I am embarrassed to be American. People are angry, defensive, and divisive. Reading something like 1619 Project would be a great starting point for these Americans.