The American Identity, Who are we?
830494
Forget about American Pride. I'm just a guy trying to muddle through this messed up world the best I can
1145385
The only way I could figure to answer this, is to say that if they have arrived in the US and in that respect are to identify themselves as Americans, then it is based on those ideals shared with any and all immigrants who ventured here and founded what would become the Americas... greater freedoms in all areas of life, new opportunities, and simply put, the realization of dreams their homelands could not provide. I think all of us are either in pursuit of such things or the product of them. Hope that answers the question.
803455
i would say i'm a true american, but about these:\n"You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, "One nation, under God."\nYou might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places. \nYou might be a TRUE AMERICAN if:You still say "Christmas" instead of "Winter Festival." \nYou might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You bow your head when someone prays."\n\nit sounds to me that you are saying that if you are not christian, then you are not american. is that what you mean?? not everyone is catholic, or even christian, in america.  America is a melting pot.  we, as americans, come from many countries, many nationalities, many races, and many RELIGIONS.  as a catholic, i would do as you've stated above, but you can't say that it is unamerican to practice a religion other than catholicism (or christianity).
366038
The importance of indepentance...like the United States? Well...if we didn't declare our indepentance we would all be British wouldn't we? We wouldn't have our freedom of speach, religion, or press. We would be completely different than the America we are today, wouldn't we?
359299
one is our identity another is address.
1072192
What makes you think that these people don't consider themselves Americans first? And why do personally you find it so difficult to accept the fact that some people have numerous identities, one associated with their country and another with their race or ethnicity? Is it wrong to identify with people in your country who happen to share a similar ethnicity or culture that is somewhat unique or different from other cultures in the U.S.?\n\nAnd what on Earth makes you think you have to call yourself an Irish-German-Scottish-Welsh-French-American to be politically correct? How is that politically correct? Call everyone just plain old American if you want, for heaven's sake. Where did you get the idea that they would be offended if you did so?\n\nSince when did it become a crime to have more than one identifying personal trait?
309680
of course there is. common traditions, language, history - they all make one's national identity
454477
To be american, means to be stupid.\nThat's why they blame things on wrong people.
711812
The disappearance of the American Melting Pot. When America started, people came from all over the world to create a better way of life, to become Americans. The immigrants would work hard to learn English, to get jobs, to become strong citizens that wanted to help create an even better America. Now immigrants come and want the benefits of being an American without becoming an American. It doesn't seem like anybody wants to 'melt' into the American society. They want to be separate but equal. Don't get me wrong, I am proud of my German/Welsh heritage, but I fly an American flag in my front yard, not a German or Welsh flag. I live close to the border with Mexico, driving around some areas you find it hard to tell you are in America, Mexican flags fly everywhere, marquees at school are in Spanish, more and more billboards are in Spanish. It used to be the special store that had a sign that said "Habla Espanol", now it's hard to find a clerk that doesn't have an accent so thick you can understand them. \n\nI'm not a racist or a redneck, in my family there are Latinos, Tunisians, Blacks, Russians, Irish, Scottish, Apache, Welsh, German, Cherokee and Chinese. Talk about a melting pot! Our family get togethers look like a UN meeting! My point is, if you want to become an American, become an American. If you want to keep your native identity and culture, maybe you should have stayed home.
543448
Being an American today seems to mean less and less.  Some people seem to think that being an American is itself a 'right', and that we owe that to them.  I prefer to describe what it means to be a good American.\n\nBeing an GOOD American means respecting liberty, freedom, and the rule of law.  It means respecting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and understanding the difference between rights and privileges.\n \nBasic rights are enshrined in our founding documents.  The idea is that basic human rights involve freedom from government control over our daily lives, and the opportunity to find our own way and make our own decisions.  \n\nThis is very different from the modern idea of rights.  It's a very casual idea that whatever I want now, I claim as my right.  It dilutes the very idea of rights, and makes us all less likely to stand up for true human rights.\n\nAmerica is about liberty.
291797
Not all of us are not proud to be americans.  Many people aren't because they have a feeling of self-loathing that america is the most fabulous nation in the world.  They feel it's unfair that america is prosperous, powerful, and happy. They ease their minds by making all of the world's problems america's fault.  I can say that I still am proud to be American.  Can you?
290375
As Laura and Lisa point out, the foundations of America are intangible. The buildings are the physical expression of ideas, feelings, and beliefs. Because Americans see ourselves as resilient, imaginative, creative, and strong, we can respond to adversity with passion and compassion, while we reorganize and rebuild. We may argue, but somehow we work things out. All the bad guys in the world can't shake our internal foundations. That's how we see ourselves, and sometimes that is exactly how we are.
575471
From the perspective of people in the US, only we are Americans,  but if you go to Spain, and some other parts of the world South America is America, and they are considered Americans. So: it depends on who you talk to.  \nI generally say I'm from the US: it seems a little colonial to usurp legit claims from everyone else in two continents.
1093943
Because we are in America.
363098
Terms of ethnicity and race are just labels.  I place no importance on either of the words...you are who you are no matter your race, creed, etc.\n\nAs for the person who said we are all americians.  Hmmmmmm....I think you should look at a map and then you may realize there is more than one country on planet earth
766320
Firstly we do not hate Americans and you do not threaten our values.\n\n(although you may get some hateful answers now)
962260
Self-rightousness is a trait of American citizens.