What does it mean to be an American?

I think freedoms is good – you can include a little history on how people suffered by putting together the Decl. of Independance, the Civil War equal rights, etc. Same with ethnic diversity – as I said, you can put some brief history points in there. As in advanced education and tech, I don’t know, education, well there isn’t much to talk about, and tech – most parts of the world have technology, but some Americans, on the other hand, don’t use high tech. Maybe you should choose another main idea. I however am kind of out of ideas. Sorry about that.

I think freedom is most obvious. We can pretty much do whatever we chose within the guidelines of a civilized society. (Even some people get away with murder…OJ!)

We certainly are an ethnically diverse country. But we are also very culturally diverse!

As far as advanced education, few people really take the opportunity to pursue higher levels of education. Not to be nasty but the average person in this country is pretty much illiterate! (Which explains the current status of our Nation’s Capitol right now!)

Those are three good topics for your essay. However, other countries besides ours are as advanced (or more advanced) in education and technology, so it’s not really strictly American. How about basic freedoms, ethnic diversity, and pop culture? I know it’s not one of those topics that is taken seriously sometimes, but did you realize that most of the world bases their trends, TV programs, songs, etc. on what we’re doing here in America? It’s partly why the Al-Quaida bombed us, in fact. They felt like our influence had corrupted their children and were trivializing their cultural beliefs and practices. You can add that in there. Pop culture is a HUGE deal!!

As an American, you enjoy an environment that was shaped by the Constitution and its guaranteed freedoms, which opens your imagination to both great things you have seen done by others in history, and things you might do that build upon those great achievements.

As an American, you may contribute in a multitude of unknown ways to the potential tangible and intangible wealth of this society, the number of which are made immense by the freedoms experienced here and in few if any other worldly places.

As an American, you may feel the obligation to history to dedicate your life to the preservation of a unique experiment in human behavior and celebration of freedoms, as this way of life and this society are often threatened by internal and external enemies.

To be free, have religous freedoms, be able to start your own business, marry anyone, do anything.