What does it take to me considered an American - not just on Paper?

Question

Currently, if an immigrant legally moves to America and adopts and believes in American values, and is proud of America and loves living there, would they be considered American, no matter where they are from?

Is being AMERICAN something you have to be born into, or is living in America and believing in American values enough to be American in the eyes of other Americans - no matter where you were born?

I am a Canadian and I know this applies with Canadians who come to Canada and believe in our system. If they believe in Canadian values and love being in Canada, than I believe they are Canadian.

With a much more defined identity, I am interested to see what Americans feel.

Answer 1

If an immigrant legally moves here and adopts and believes in American values and loves being here, of course they are considered American no matter where they are from!

In fact believing in American values and loving America are the defining characteristics of being an American.

Almost all of us have roots in another country. We look different, sound different, worship in different ways, eat different foods, have different names, skin colors, etc----the only thing that knits us all together is that we all call ourselves Americans.

If I look around my American neighborhood, I see all my American neighbors. Now, at least four of my neighbors are immigrants---it doesn't make them any less American.

Having folks of different ethinic heritages does only one noticeable thing in this neighborhood-spices up the block parties! Moroccan chicken, Polish pirogis, Canadian meat pie, Texas-style BBQ chicken, wheat rolls, some kind of cabbage slaw I never got the recipe for...you get the idea.

I was raised in an immigrant city. I thought it was cool. My elderly father speaks English and Spanish and knows a smattering of French, Italian, Greek, Khmer, Vietnamese, Krio and Portguese.

I can speak French (best friend's parents and grandparents all spoke it around the house) and English and know enough Greek, Yiddish, and Hebrew to find food or a bathroom.

I guess you can see how I feel---and for the record although some of my ancestors immigrated here, some of my ancestors were here to greet the boats when the Europeans landed.

Peace.

Answer 2

Well, another great thing about here is you can decide that for yourself. I for one consider myself an American. I am not a English, Dutch, German, Potowatame Indian, Irish-American. I am an American. Personally, I think that making these distinctions in a persons background is what keeps this country apart instead of together. I am 1/4 Native American but I was NEVER taught to USE that to my advantage. I never have. What happened here 100-200-300 years ago as far as slavery, the trail of tears, or whatever else has nothing to do with me. The Federal Government took land from my ancestors, big deal. Strong survive.

Answer 3

Of course, like you said, on paper it just takes being a citizen. But I can honestly say I think to really be considered an "american" before any other sort of nationality in people's minds here, you have to be born into your average white-American family. It's unfortunate, yes, but it's what I've experienced and I see others experience. If someone's parents are from Mexico, but they're born and raised in America, they still aren't "americans-first" in the minds of other Americans. Rather they are "Mexican-American" and as such are thought to not be entirely "American", regardless of whether they share American values or not.

Answer 4

That's the beauty of America. We all look different. So many nationalities here. You don't have to be white to be considered an American. Once you get to know your way around and get to know more people, you'll feel like you belong.

Answer 5

Quite personal to me is a command of the "American English" language, committment to the community good, understanding of basic federal and local laws...that being said, I know these qualities are often lacking in those of us born here! Interesting query and I hope you receive thoughtful responses.

Answer 6

When a person, regardless of where they came from becomes a citizen of the USA that person IS a citizen of the USA and should be proud of it and not need to be bothered by thick-headed bigots.
And I love Canada, Val d' Or is fabulous as is Seneterre.

Answer 7

All that is 'required' to 'be an American' (a person in the United States of America, that is) is to be a 'citizen' ... either because you were 'born in the U.S.A'. or have become 'naturalized' and have 'taken the test, and the oath to be a U.S. citizen.'

Answer 8

You sound like you want to be a true American.
All it takes is to come here legally, try to learn the language (if you/they didn't know it before) and live life to it's fullest!
Good luck in America!

Answer 9

You sound American to me