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Introduction
We all know the term American dream. Many immigrants or ethnic minorities dream of one day arriving in the United States of America with no money to their name and working their way up the ladder of life until they are finally in a good place.
What does it mean to be American? Reflecting on this question, the author of this sample essay shares her take on the true essence of being its citizen.
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What does it mean to Live the American Dream?
We can probably name several movies that revolve around the American dream. A father comes to America with no money and no idea how he is going to feed several mouths at home, but he knows that this is a country ripe with opportunities. He brings with him his wife and young children and settles them in a humble home. Both parents worked multiple jobs and took every opportunity for a side job just to make sure there is food on the table.
This is also the story of my family. We came from Vietnam when I was only a few months old. My father, desperate to give us a good life, brought us to the United States. He and my mom so strongly believed that this nation provides equal opportunity for all, and they wanted to take every chance they could get to help us live comfortably. We barely saw them because they were in and out of multiple jobs, even in the late hours of the night. My older sister became my guardian for most of those days until she was old enough to get a part-time job.
Today, we live in a modest house in a middle-class neighborhood. My parents were finally able to settle on one full-time job each, I am on the verge of finishing high school, and my sister is nearly done with her university studies.
To many people, we are living the American dream. At first, I didn’t know what that meant. Now that I am older, I realize that being a citizen here means more than just finding jobs to provide for the family and making sure your kids go to all the right schools.
Why I Am Grateful to Be An American Citizen
Looking back at the story of how my parents brought us here, I am reminded of the beauty of equal opportunity, which this nation freely dispenses. It is amazing how many chances you have to set yourself up for success here. You have the luxury and the advantage of options. You are not forced against a wall with only one choice. Here, you have the blessing of being able to look around you and find a wealth of resources and tools to give you the help you need.
I also love that the country’s constitution empowers citizens to speak freely and enjoy religious freedom. America has is a melting pot of the world’s most diverse cultures, and your voice and your uniqueness can easily get lost in all that colorful noise. I feel that I have been able to use my freedom of speech in school, where I have been able to talk about the topics that matter a lot to me – these include inclusion, immigrant experiences, and mental health. I love that here, I can feel proud of our family’s political views without being lambasted for them or worrying about our social standing.
Being an American also means having a powerful economy and advanced technology supporting your pursuit of happiness. I love our way of life here as it pushes us to still put in the hard work to achieve success, but with the added benefit of having the stability of the economy and the convenience of technology at our disposal.
Finally, I love the essence of the American spirit: open, warm, generous, and free. We are people with a can-do attitude and a strong sense of optimism.
Conclusion
Being American doesn’t mean being born and raised here. It’s more than biology. No matter who you are or where you come from, you can experience what America stands for. It is the journey of embracing every opportunity to fully and freely live. It is a celebration of equal rights, freedom of speech, and all the other freedoms and privileges afforded to us by the U.S. Constitution.
If you are like me who grew up enjoying the benefits of living in this great nation, I encourage you to take stock of all the things that you have experienced since coming here. If you are also living the American dream, know that it is both a blessing and responsibility.
Essay on Being an American (Short Essay Sample)
It goes without saying that I love being an American citizen. I believe that with this identity come a lot of benefits and also responsibilities. Our way of life is something that is envied by people from around the world, so much so that other nations call our lifestyle the “American dream.” They dream of coming to our country with everything that they have and throw themselves into every opportunity to live the life that will give them the most happiness.
I believe that more than the beauty of enjoying great opportunities, our culture is all about putting in all the hard work to achieve success. There are countless immigrants and families in different states, all working long hours because they know that it is an investment to get them where they want to be.
I also believe that this identity is about practicing freedom of speech, practicing one’s religion of choice, the law working to provide equal justice, and enjoying all the other freedoms that are guaranteed to us by our constitution.
My greatest hope is that every citizen will recognize how blessed they are to be living and working here.
FAQs
What defines a person as an American?
A person is truly American when he or she upholds and practices all of the fundamental rights stated in the country’s constitution: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, and freedom to petition. They are proud of their country and warmly welcome everyone who comes here. They show no racial or ethnic preference and embrace the values of diversity and inclusion. They don’t make feel outsiders unwelcome, yet emulate the American spirit of camaraderie so that everyone who comes to the country feels at home and safe.
How can I be a good American?
The best way to be commendable citizens of our nation is to advocate for the basic rights of every fellowman and work towards the common good. It is also important to keep abreast of all the crucial issues that are affecting the United States and learn to have a voice in each of them. It pays to be informed and educated on all the key movements in our country and learn about and support our leaders.
It also means that we make a stand for the things that we believe in and the values that we firmly uphold. It means calling out wrongs and demanding accountability from leaders who are tasked to bring us forward into an exciting and progressive future. Finally, the American people speak their minds and are not afraid to be constructively criticized for it. We use free speech wisely.