Being American: What It Means To Me

The meaning of the word American to me means that I have the freedom to choose. The whole basis of the founding of America has been the freedom from the dictatorship from Britain and its Catholic priests and popes. Our ancestors felt strong in their convictions, that they had a right to make their own choices, to worship the way they desired. They had grown tired of being told what was right and wrong and being persecuted for doing those things which they believed were wrong by the priests and popes who had supposedly been directed by God. Our forefathers, also, were beginning to adapt to a capitalistic economy, and were slowly drifting away from the command economy of British tyrants. They desired to obtain the same wealth that had given the advantage that their kings and feudal lords had had over them. They set off to the newly discovered America to establish a government that allowed its people to make their own choices without the domineering king and his faithful followers.

Since that time, Americans have fought for the right of choice, the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to bear arms, among other things. The American government has bestowed a “right of conscience” to the American people, with the responsibility lying in their hands to determine what is right and wrong, with little to no government involvement, as long as it does not cause anyone bodily harm. America has become internationally recognized for its freedoms, freedoms that are not allowed by many other nations. Early Americans have earned this right to make their own decisions through years of bloodshed and revolutions.

These freedoms of choice have attracted many immigrants to migrate to America for more than a couple of centuries now. This has probably been the largest immigration, larger than any other country. The immigrants have many reasons for moving to America, but all have the same purpose: the freedom to choose and make decisions among themselves, with no tyrannical involvement, as our forefathers most sought for during the era of the founding of America. Most American citizens are a by-product of immigrants that have migrated from other countries to America.

America is now one of the only major world powers left in the world. This can possibly be as a result of the sovereignty among American people, and immigrants coming into our country. With more freedom, there is less dissention and reprisal from Americans, as compared to countries with a smaller amount of independence, which have suffered greatly, and even fell out of the world power race, such as the country of Russia. Russia at one time was a major world power, however, due to restrictive freedoms, such as free enterprise, and as a result of the “iron curtain” which disallowed the transaction of importation of domestic goods into the country, has unfortunately dropped out of the race.

Being an American-born citizen means that I have a choice; the freedom to say what I want, the freedom to practice religion the way I want, the freedom to carry a weapon, and other freedoms that I would not have the benefit of having in other countries. As a result, I have an utmost loyalty to my country. I believe that this is the case among most Americans.

Our forefathers originally sailed across the Atlantic, with the hopes of providing a land of opportunity, a land of freedom. It was not easy, but America has survived, unlike other countries. America has been a respected example to less developed countries, who strive daily to reach to the level that America has achieved. Each American is an integral part in the success of America, ensuring that our freedom is kept intact for centuries to come.

I am very proud to be an American. I can only hope that citizens from more limiting countries can be given the opportunity to come to America and, eventually, gain citizenship, to share in the freedom of choice that has made our country great. If not, I hope that other countries learn from America’s success, and uses what they have learned to better their country.