(Reposted from toriroseknox.tumblr.com [Aug. 25,2011])
My idea and definition of an American has not really changed much and if it has changed, it’s only slightly. I came into class with the idea that an American is someone who is born in the country. Someone who is proud of the United States and who identifies themselves as an American citizen. These people are patriotic and proudly declare that they are an American. Being an American gives them a feeling of strength. I also see our people as being stubborn and opinionated. The American people as a whole are diverse and come from many different backgrounds, but the one thing that brings them all together is this country and the loyalty they feel towards it. That idea and definition of an American hasn’t changed for me. However, after our class discussion I began to think about where the current immigrants stand in comparison to the term “American.” Some of those immigrants really may feel a strong connection to our country and call themselves an American. I never took the chance before to view it through their eyes. When they think of America they see symbols like the Statue of Liberty, the bald eagle and the American flag and it gives them a feeling of freedom, opportunity and equality. However to technically and legally be called an American you have to either be born here or take the steps to gain that citizenship and that viewpoint for me has remained constant.
