WHat does it mean to be American(United States)

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paladin wrote on 2010-10-08 02:32

This question goes out to all the forum members from from the United States
What do you consider being American?
I always saw being American as being a citizen of the united states but at the same time having the pride of your country of orgin. There is no real native as in united state native unlike the countries of Europe or Asia. The native Americans define peoples who ancestors are native to the American landform pre European.

Tldr: What do you consider american?:what:
Intex wrote on 2010-10-08 02:38

I consider myself American because I am a citizen of America and I live here (Nationality).
It's like how the people in Taiwan consider themselves Taiwanese and not Chinese.
woohoohelloppl wrote on 2010-10-08 02:40

Being an American means being a citizen of the United States of America to me.
Shirayuki wrote on 2010-10-08 02:41

I'm a citizen, I go to school here, I like it here(for the most part), so I consider myself American.
Okitaru wrote on 2010-10-08 02:53

Logically Being a citizen or being born in America.

With how I see the stereotype of morons America is flooded with I'd also place it as Fat, Stupid, and Horny as a mostly true thing. :v (Although I just say fat because all my Canadian contacts are like LOLOLFATAMERICAN)
BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2010-10-08 02:53

If you're a citizen or reside in america, then you're "American"
Shanghai wrote on 2010-10-08 03:19

When you've forgotten how to speak your native language, and became proficient in English instead.
Justified wrote on 2010-10-08 03:43

Really? When I think American, I think things like American culture as opposed to your native culture.

Being proficient in English and not some other language is one example. Another being your diet - consisting mostly of bread and meat (ie - Burgers, Hotdogs, Pizza), not rice and noodles. Soda, not tea. Baseball, Football, Apple Pie... American things.
Zid wrote on 2010-10-08 04:50

Other than being a citizen and having these rights...

I know I'm an American because of what the media says to us.
Chockeh wrote on 2010-10-08 05:03

A citizen of North and South America, we Canadians live in America too you know :<.
Hiccup wrote on 2010-10-08 06:15

Quote from Chuugoku;178838:
Logically Being a citizen or being born in America.

With how I see the stereotype of morons America is flooded with I'd also place it as Fat, Stupid, and Horny as a mostly true thing. :v (Although I just say fat because all my Canadian contacts are like LOLOLFATAMERICAN)

uFat?

LOLOL

srs. Born in US

@chock

Yeah but you don't call yourself Americans you call yourself Canadians, and everyone down south goes off their country/ethnicity. (ie Mexican). Cause when people say Americans they think USA, not you silly Canadians or the Mexicans and below.
Chillax wrote on 2010-10-08 07:01

Quote from Intex;178823:
It's like how the people in Taiwan consider themselves Taiwanese and not Chinese.

I resent that example :l

To me, being American means being a citizen and wanting to contribute to making the United States better.
Cucurbita wrote on 2010-10-08 15:28

According to most of you, I'm not an American.

I'm kinda hurt.

As much as I tend to make fun of America and talk about how much I hate it, I hate all nations and its one of my LEAST hated nations and I love living here as much as the next American.

I've been living here for more than half my life and they won't grant me a citizenship. You people who were born here have it so much easier. I do my part to make my community a better place. I do volunteer work and help people out.

There are a lot of restrictions placed on you when you're not a citizen. Lots of things you can't do. Harsher punishments for crimes, with deportation always being a threat. Inability to apply for a lot of things, such as government help or certain financial aids.

And that freaking citizenship test. Its not easy. Most American citizens would fail it.
Osayidan wrote on 2010-10-08 15:44

technically: living there (probably legally, not sure if illegal immigrants still count as american since they do still live there).

patriotically: being proud of being in the US, and not questioning the government under fear of being labeled a terrorist.

to the rest of the world: fat, under educated mobs of people ruled by one of the worst non-tyrannical (though that can be argued) governments in the world.

The later two don't apply to everyone, but when dealing with a group of people as large as a whole country making generalizations isn't really avoidable. If most americans are overweight/unhealthy, and your public school system sucks, then americans are fat and undereducated.
Spartaaaaa wrote on 2010-10-08 23:16

I suppose the answer would be "if you're a citizen then you're American" if you take the question literally.

But since that's probably not what you're looking for, here's my answer. To be truly American means to uphold the values that our country was based on. I believe that every American ought to value liberty, have a healthy skepticism of government, not be afraid to express his/her opinion (even in the face of persecution) and most importantly, have a strong faith in the God who made us and gave us our rights (refer to Declaration of Independence).