What does it mean to be "American?"

What makes it

"American?" And how does it make us "American?" American stands

for the beliefs, the music, as well as the people that come from

this great nation. The beliefs of this great nation speak every language.

These beliefs stretch from the furthest reaches of Africa to the

city life of New York. These beliefs are pride, freedom, and

equality. American means to be proud. It means to stand up for

what you believe in and to fight for it wholeheartedly. American

also means to have freedom, freedoms to do what you wish, to

practice your own religious ceremonies, customs, and beliefs.

With these freedoms comes a responsibility, a responsibility to

be accountable for your actions. Equality is the basis of

American society. Before equality for all, there was slavery.

With this slavery came accounts of cruelty and disillusioned

violence. Without help from first hand accounts of slaves such

as Frederick Douglass and Olaudah Equiano, we would have never

emerged from this dark era in American history.

American music is the envy of nations around the world.

From Led Zeppelin to Snoop Doggy Dog, American music continues to

diversify and grow. American bands develop large masses of

followers in nations of all different ethnic backgrounds. From

Asia to Germany, American music continues to influence the music

styles of the rest of the world.

Proud American men and women joined the armed forces to

serve the country that they love and protect. These people show

what it means to be American. Just as the colonists fought the

British for Independence in April Morning, they risk their lives,

for something they believe in and cherish. These same people

also stand for exploration and discovery. The first white people

lead by Captain Smith, traveled to the newly discovered Americas,

to explore and colonize. They show the American strength of

character, determination, and will.

To be "American" is to be many things. It means different

things to different people, yet they all agree on the basic

American fundamentals. The beliefs, music, and people of a

country define the essence of that nation.