Being An American

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Being an American grants many of us the rights and freedoms that this country was founded upon, whether it be freedom of speech or the freedom to practice any religion, we were all given the same rights as any other American there is. According to the dictionary, an American is a citizen of the United States of America, but is there a deeper definition than this vague explanation? It is known that America was founded on the principles of freedom and equality, due to the ruling of Britain over the thirteen original colonies. In the newfound freedom from Britain, these original thirteen colonies have turned into fifty states, all united and all inhabited today by immigrants who were in search for one common thing, a better future. In J. Hector…show more content…
Throughout his essay, he speaks of countrymen who have live in a country that “had no bread for him.” Soon after, these countrymen moved to America, where they have “taken root and flourished.” He then classifies what groups belong to America or have access to being an American. An example is, “Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labours and posterity will one day cause great change in the world. Americans are the western pilgrims, who are carrying along with them that great mass of arts, sciences, vigour, and industry…” I interpreted this to mean that people of all nations came to America to form a new race, that is very diverse, who will work and in turn, continually prosper to make the world change for the better. In this same essay, he used function to define an…show more content…
A right is defined as a moral, ethical, or legal principle considered as an underlying cause of truth, justice, morality, or ethics. Freedoms are privileges or special rights of citizenship, membership, etc., in a community that all people have the right to enjoy. Responsibilities are particular burdens of obligation upon one who is meant to do them. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, “… you will find several rights and responsibilities that a citizen should exercise and respect. Some of these responsibilities are legally required of every citizen, but all are important to ensuring that America remains a free and prosperous nation.” In a chart they had provided, we have the freedom to express ourselves, worship, the right to vote, etc. Yet, with all these freedoms that we are given, we are obligated to follow through with the responsibilities that come with them as well. This shows that Americans have the ability to do almost everything as they please, but the caution their actions to prevent any

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