How do you become an American?(I'm not asking how to become an American citizen)?

Question

As I have written in my question, I am not asking how to become an American citizen. I mean what makes an American an American. I've seen countless people swelling with pride at the mention of the name 'America' just because they belong in that particular country. I've seen and experianced the carefree and at the same time grand feeling the word 'America' portray to many. I want to know what is there for Americans that makes some un-Americans long for it. The answers may vary according to how a person identify an American. I just want to hear you guys opinions.

Answer 1

The question might better have been phrased as: What are the traits that makes Americans uniquely American? I'd say: industriousness - desire to get ahead; respect for neighbors and for the law; toleration of different races, religions, national origins, and life styles; suspicion of government power; optimism.

Answer 2

To many, America implies freedom, opportunities and the possibility of getting lots of money. Its generally strong economy makes it seem that if only you can get there, you can help not only yourself but your family too. Sending your dollars back to Ethiopia, for example, will put your family way ahead, even if you can't send very much. For people in many cultures, there is not much flexibility in your role in society and in life--especially for the young. America suggests that anyone really can become anything, and this is an idea that is deeply appealing to those who feel they are oppressed by social and/or familial obligations or expectations that they can't escape. The anonymity that in some ways may be a negative aspect of American culture can also feel liberating to those who feel constrained by their relationships with the members of their family, clan, village, etc.

Answer 3

Like you said, the answer varies from person to person. But to me, being an American means embracing everything the country stands for. Freedom, independence, free-thinking. The foundations the nation was built on. I know that in this country if I don't achieve everything I want to, it is no one's fault but my own. There's no rigid class structure, and aside from some socialist elements (welfare and social security, to name a few,) we have a mostly capitalist system that allows those who want to make a good life for themselves go out and do it. Aside from the opportunities available, there's also a sense of companionship that's hard to describe. While we don't speak to everyone we come across on the street, we generally try to show each other a bit of common courtesy, and truly bond together in times of crisis (during and after the September 11th attacks, for example.) Any time there is a crisis, we always pull through. We take hits, emotionally and economically, but we always pull through. And it's personally inspiring to be a part of something like that. This nation is barely 200 years old and has grown to become the most important country in thw world as far as trade and similar affairs go. A few men risked their lives to establish this country, because they believed a country that embellishes freedom could truly prevail, and to this day, men and women continue to risk their lives to preserve that freedom. I realize that I am rambling to some extent, but the point is that you have the opportunity to become whatever you really want to become if you try hard enough, but at the same time, you're not necessarily stepping all over people to do it. We tend to work together. Not always, but when we really need to, when it really matters, we pull together in order to pull through and to preserve our way of life.

Answer 4

You are not an American Unless

1.You have to be able to drink beer
2. watch football
3. know less than immigrants about the history of your own country
4. be able to watch reality tv
5. drive any car no matter how crappy it is as long as it is a domestic
6. voted for Bush as president not once, but twice
7. able to believe everything the media says
8. able to say racing isn't racing unless it goes in a circle or a straight line
9. able to believe that nothing is their country's fault. The other countries made us attack them.
10. unable to know what the real concept of America stood for when it was first concieved.


What has America become.

Answer 5

How to be an American:

Speak your mind freely and demonstrate your opinions openly.

Don't let the cops tell you what do do. YOU pay THEIR salaries. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AND EXERCIZE THEM!!

Burn a flag. In many countries, this would get you arrested, but in the USA, you have the RIGHT to freedom of speech. Many men and women in the armed forces have DIED to protect your freedom of speech, so EXERCIZE IT!

Read the constitution and Declaration of Independence and understand them.

Dont try and force anyone to believe the same way you do, speak the same language you do or look like you. Be happy that there are so many diverse opinions.

Answer 6

You become an American by birth. The closest to that is to be brought up in America. Nothing great about it. It is a loose society with no restrictions and with all the facilities at your beck and call.

Answer 7

Ask some one to take brain of you head.

Kill some one in Middle east.

Start writing article's against Muslim world

Answer 8

we pride ourselves in being "free"... you couldnt really say anything else cause we our all different, some people hate bein american, tho i haven't met such people...

Answer 9

speak the "slang" way and be mean and ugly.

Answer 10

I have to move here because my family!

It's sick!