The American Identity - 2684 Words

America is commonly characterized as the greatest country in the world, the glorious â€Å"land of the free and the home of the brave†, â€Å"indivisible, with liberty and justice for all†. This idealization of the American identity conveniently focuses on what people want to hear and blurs out most everything else. In reality, Americans do not live up to the dreamscape created by our views, and we never really have. America is no longer characterized by its freedom and democracy, nearly every first world country can afford that luxury. Nor are we set apart by the great opportunities given to our people, for those are far from universal. We aren’t equal, we aren’t unified, we aren’t kinder or smarter or richer than any other country across the board. It’s easy to find the shortcomings of American culture, all the things we aren’t, but the things we are have proven to be more elusive. First, let’s examine the nots. Despite our founding principle that â€Å"all men are created equal† (Jefferson), American life isn’t characterized by equality or fairness. Although we acknowledge that each member of humanity bears equal value, we fail to provide them with such equality in life. Racism and anti-immigrant sentiment are two factors that prevent America from being equal. Frederick Douglass identified this gap between value and reality for Americans when he found himself â€Å"not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary† ( ¶3) of the Fourth of July, â€Å"a day that reveals to [the AmericanShow MoreRelatedAmerican Identity And American Identity1350 Words   |  6 Pagesand faced ethnic issues, our true identity shines through with our fight for freedom, the ability to create our own-and americas- path through american ingenuity even in times of great distress. Through the workings of Jackson Pollock, showing how not to conform, and through the Jazz evolution; th e american identity has always shown its fight for freedom and independence the country contains. Ever since the Puritans landed on this continent, the american identity was established, illustrating theRead MoreIdentity Of American Identity1101 Words   |  5 Pagesliberty, and the pursuit of happiness established over two centuries ago by the nation’s forebearers. Being American is about anticipating change and being provided with the environment to dream. Americans have dreamed of a more equal union, where Women obtain the right to vote and African Americans are social equals. The country’s images of Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller inspire the American dream, where individuals are not satisfied with their socioeconomic standing and have the opportunityRead MoreThe American Of American Identity Essay1520 Words   |  7 Pagesa prosperous economy built on a free market system. The facets of an American identity mostly revolved around corporate power and stability. The corporations grew at a national scale effortlessly, and within years, international; the United States was following similar footsteps of the British East India Company to emulate it’s exploits in the western hemisphere. Contracted railroads, lands, and farms were the crux of American imperialism in the continents. The strengthening grip of the corporationsRead MoreAmerican Identity822 Words   |  4 PagesIs the American Identity still alive? Has it died? The issue concerning the American identity is has it died. Many claim that new cultures, new races, and new traditions have degraded the American identity. Although some people that the American identity has been lost because of new cultures and traditions, the American identity is still alive because those factors have not changed any original American traditions or the way they are celebrated. Many people claim that the has been lost becauseRead MoreAmerican Identity1566 Words   |  7 PagesMy American Identity The five key values that were studied and learned about in class were civic engagement, freedom, equality, patriotism and democracy. I do not believe that one of these values is more American than the other though three of these mean more to me personally than others. Patriotism, freedom, and equality. Together they make the United States of America unique from any other country. Yes, some countries have freedom, but no other country in the world is like ours because we holdRead MoreAfrican American Identity And Identity Essay742 Words   |  3 Pagesdetermining its identity. For African Americans, their identity was equivalent to property that is the source of profit and further riches. African Americans had not been considered human until slavery was abolished, which was the first step of many in obtaining the same rights as any other race. After the emotional turmoil that is being treated as objects, and persevering when segregation was enforced, African Americans now have the s ame rights as every single American citizen. Their identity was thatRead MoreThe Identity Of The American Revolution1527 Words   |  7 PagesThe identity of the American colonists prior to the American Revolution was still work in progress because there were certain events that helped shape their identity and led to the American Revolution. The American colonies were trying to break away from the British control because they wanted to become independent and be their own nation. Once the British began to realize the intentions of the colonists, they began to create laws, acts, and other forms things to keep the colonists under their controlRead MoreImportance Of American Identity1547 Words   |  7 PagesBased on course content, research, and interviews the American Identity can best be described using the words freedom, pride, and importance. When America formed, people immigrated to this country in search of freedom. America is built on the basic principle of freedom. One of the main reasons people immigrate to America from their home country is because of all the freedoms we have. America is thought of as the land of free. There is freedom of education, religion, expression, speech, and beliefRead MoreEssay on American Identity956 Words   |  4 PagesAmerican Identity Works Cited Not Included American identity has been created by many events throughout the course of history. This country was founded on the clashing and mixing of many different cultures and lifestyles. One of the most important periods of time for this country was during the period of conflict between Americans and Native Americans over land rights. Americans had an idea of manifest destiny and that this land was theirs for the taking. The Americans were going to walk throughRead MoreDbq on American Identity871 Words   |  4 PagesWithin the time frame from 1750 to 1781, historical evidence, as well as many documents, suggests that although the colonists at this time had developed a strong sense of unity, they had a weaker sense of identity. Leading up to the eve of revolution, the colonists had began developing bonds among them through unified acts against English taxes, the stamp act congress, and Townshend acts; also, organizations such as the sons and daughters of liberty had emerged. The colonists b egan to realize that