I love America. We are not perfect but this is the greatest country in the world. I've been to 7 different countries and my dad came to this country with absolutely nothing and no one, he didn't speak English and yet he still succeeded. Today he owns multiple business's. American values are wanting others to succeed not bringing people down but helping them get further in life.
Another reason why this country is so great is because of the constitution. It is a living document. When the constitution was written women couldn't vote, slavery wasn't abolished, presidential term limits weren't a thing, my point is we can always add amendments or take amendments away it is the single most important document in the United States.
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This article is on point.
Our American values are the only thing we are supposed to have in common and are the fabric of this country. Has anyone come across The American Question? Its a new documentary currently in production exposing these exact issues www.theamericanquestion.com Hopefully the country can come together and understand without unity there is no progress and we will not remain a superpower.
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I agree with Mr. Biden that "You cannot define Americans by what they look like, where they come from, whom they love or how they worship." The principles of American freedom were founded on equality, independent of their looks, gender, religion, or race. These basic principles of equality is what made the United States a great nation. Even though only our democratic values should define us, there's been unfortunately a great amount of racism in the States lately. People who are racist think that only true "whites" should be allowed in the US, and Hispanics, African Americans, Asians, and other races should be banned. But why? Why does racism still occur? It does no good, only harm, and yet still it continues. Racist people should step up their level of common sense, and instead of defining Americans by their democratic values, they are defining people by their races. Therefore, American values should be defined as people's democratic values.
American values have all originated from the same concept of freedom. It's essentially the biggest aspect of the American life. Unfortunately America has recently had a HUGE racist protest. I think that Racism in this culture is retarded, and I know that some of you reading this are probably thinking to yourself that the term "retarded" is offensive, BUT, the definition of the word is the lack of social development. So our social development as a society is kinda retarded. Like why is there still racism? What good does it do? Like I have known racism is wrong since the whole time I've been alive. There are people that look down on African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans and think of them as sub human creatures... How? So the KKK believes that the White race was ordained by Gods to be above other races. BUT for some reason god made it possible for a white person and any other race to mate! Do you know how close one species has to be to another to Mate? 100% IDENTICAL! It is the same thing! I'm a proud american! I love my country, and the men and women that fought so I can love it. But the one flaw that we have as a people, as a society as a whole is that we allow racism to exist in our country
American values can mean many different things but they all point to one essential concept, freedom. Its the one thing we think of when we see the american flag or celebrate the fourth if July. So, why is it that so many people are still oppressed and subject to a social and racial hierarchy? in my opinion being an American citizen means abiding by the philosophy. Being inclusive and generous and believing in the greater good of all. It is also important to make ourselves a secure and safe country for the sake of our citizens, however, its easy for leaders and big figures to overstep and let discrimination, and disregard takeover in the process. There needs to be a balance between strictness and generosity that will not hinder our American morale. America should be thought of as an ally willing to help those in need.
Mr. Biden is right when he says that one cannot define Americans on what they look like, where they came from, whom they love or how they worship. You can define Americans on the democratic principles we hold dear. One can be an American if they love freedom, democracy, human rights, and are willing to improve America for the greater good. The principles and rights that are written in the Constitution like freedom of assembly, speech, and religion are what truly defines America and makes it a country for all. To me, American values are what makes the US one of the shining beacon of freedom to those who are oppressed. It is the reason why people come to America in the first place, to find a safe haven where they can live without fear. It also means to be a unified country in the wake of evil and terror that longs to tear down our democratic freedoms and rights. Whoever stands with America to bring about peace, security, freedom, and democracy is a friend of the US.
To me, being an American means that, whether or not you were born in this country, whether or not you are part of the 1% or the 99%, no matter what race you are, what gender you are, or whether or not your ancestors came here in the 17th Century or the 21st or at any time in-between, being an American means that you faithfully adhere to the ideals of the United States. Namely, that all people are created equal, that we all have freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom to speak truth to power, freedom of religion, freedom to vote according to our consciences, freedom to resist tyranny and oppression and all of the other freedoms enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
How would I define the values of an American? I believe to be an American you have to be born and raised in America, and through out your life you have to obey the laws and respect the governments decisions.
To be an American you have to take pride in your country, you can't be ashamed. An american has to be willing to announce that you are a citizen in the U.S. who follows the countries requirements.
America and the citizens who live within the country are known to be independent. We are known to solve conflicts ourselves without assists of others.
America is looked up to among other countries, this is because we are not in poverty, we have law in order, and we have citizens who respect each others differences.
We are a united country, and we hope to spread that unity around the world.
My initial response to the question; "what does it mean to be a American?" i thought about the common answer of being free and living a life of equal opportunity. After reading this article it means to live a life, that shows other countries trying to model the U.S., what it means and looks like to be a Democratic Country. Our American values should exemplify this. I believe that that the things that unite Americans is the pride of our country and when that is challenged the country really glues together and becomes a nation of a common goal, whatever that goal may be. To be an American it is to show other people it is possible to live a life of freedom a life where you do not need to be scared to do the basic human rights, no life under tyranny is acceptable and The United States will lead the way to a world that is more united.
I think The American Dream means living a free life. I believe that is what brings all Americans together, and makes us united. In Joe Biden's speech he states that if we want to have these values within the U.S. we have to be the ones to model and express them. What will happen if we don't express or model the U.S. values? Why are these values the ones that tie us to our closet allies? America is still leading the way and continues to make the path for others to follow. But in order to make that happen we need to continuously show the values and continue to express them.
I agree with Joe Biden when he says "we cannot define Americans by what they look like, where they come from. whom they love or how they worship." We cannot do this because people of many different looks can have the exact same view. Defining someone solely by what they look like or where they come from is unfair because what someone looks like, or who they love, does not change their views. Reading this did change my initial answer I gave to the question of what American values mean to me. I thought of them more individually as opposed to them being suggested as more global. American values to me means being united as a country. It means standing up for what we believe isn't right. It means coming to an agreement on decisions that could have big impacts.
An American to me is someone who lives in the United States or someone who has lived in the united states.
One thing that I think unites America is its thirst for justice, freedom, and equality.
Does standing up for rights make you an American?
Is one trait of an American is having allies and not trying to create enemies without reason?
What is democracy? -representative/elective government
America stands up for our own values in other countries.
Both Republican and Democratic officials work together, despite their differences, to create a better world. Is part of being American setting aside our differences and creating a better world for all?
Why is the United states in the best position than any other country to shape the direction of the 21st century?-more money -good leaders -self-electing government
I also think one thing that makes you American is seeing the United States as home. We are also think that we are a very proud country, for example this speech ends with "the respect that has made the United States the greatest nation on earth"(Giplin 7).