What Makes You an American? What does it mean to be a citizen? What does it mean to be a part of a country? I believe that being a citizen is much more than just living in the same country for a set number of years. There are several ways that the word "citizen" can be defined. For example, individuals may say that when you do good deeds and make your country a better place you are considered a citizen. When you work hard to donate to your country you are showing that you believe in While there are other individuals believe that being a good citizen means portraying kindness, generosity, a helping hand; what some people may refer to as a servants heart. Of course, different countries will have different interpretations of what citizen is and …show more content…
The American Flag is a symbol of our freedom itself. We gained our independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776. Since then we have solely on how we are going to remain a free country. After we gained our independence we stopped viewing freedom as a privilege. We began to believe that freedom is a right we should be given if we live in America. Yet, we were still using slaves for many years after we gained our independence. If we would have put into consideration what the slaves felt about us (white’s) getting freedom, and blacks not getting the same freedoms, I feel like we would have changed our minds about how we treat them. Freedom, or maybe liberty, is considered an unalienable right, which means it is god given right. Freedom has shaped our country into what it is today. We have the freedoms to do what we want, when we want, how we want, etc. is what makes America different from many other countries. Patrick Henry says, “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course other may take, but as for me, give it liberty, or give me death!” Patrick Henry was an orator during the 18th century that strongly supported the independence movement. Liberty is a major aspect of our country,
Stripes and stars forever, right? Well, what exactly does that mean? The American Flag can be seen almost anywhere. From the high-school, to the ball park, and even in our homes, the American flag stands as a symbol of all that is good and true in America. When one thinks of the flag, they usually think of the blood that was shed for this country. It was shed so that we could have liberties, such as, freedom of speech and expression, which fall under the first amendment rights of the Constitution. However, when you think of a burning flag, what comes to mind? One might say it shows disrespect and hatred to a country that has given so much. In the case of Texas v. Johnson, Gregory Lee Johnson was accused of desecrating a sacred object, but, his actions were protected by the First Amendment. Although his actions may have been offensive, he did not utter fighting words. By burning the flag, Johnson did not infringe upon another's natural human rights. He was simply expressing his outrage towards the government, which is within the jurisdiction of the First Amendment.
In order to help answer this question, let’s begin by defining what a flag is. The proponents (veterans, Citizens Flag Alliance, and other organizations of this type) of the amendment for protection of the flag define the flag as a “cultural artifact with meaning, significance, and usage determined by the particular system employing it (Guenter 18).” Some flag historians have recognized the impact of culture on the shifting significance and usage of the national banner, although no one has ventured a full-scale probe of the subject (Guenter 16). The flag in the beginning was a symbol of freedom and enlightenment. The flag design has changed.
Cave, Damien. "What Does It Mean to Be American?" The New York Times. The New York Times, 2014. Web. 04 Sept. 2016.
Therefore, the flag presents a symbol of southern pride and heritage. With that being said, all Americans should be allowed to live in a country where they feel safe and free from hatred. If a historical symbol fuels hatred, violence, and fear, then the display of such a symbol would only misinterpret the meaning of the land of the free. Although there are many pros and cons to the Confederate flag, it is only just to ban the flag.
The steps to becoming a Canadian citizen are comprised of several components. The fact of the matter is that citizenship does not end when an individual obtains the documents that enable them to participate within civic duties and responsibilities. Based on the evidence of expert T.H. Marshall, within his academic essay entitled “Citizenship and Social Class”, the formation of social citizenship “promised greater economic equality, improvements in social welfare, services and education, and the opportunity for individuals to "share to the full in the social heritage and … live the life of a civilized being according to the standards prevailing in the society” (Marshall 1964). Social citizenship is also attributed as the basis of all forms of citizenship, yet is often debated whether it is currently possible and exercised by those of who it would benefit. According to the principles of T.H. Marshall’s literary work, social citizenship is active, as demonstrated through: the four core aspects citizenship, the basis of social policy, and the resulting actions taken by governing bodies.
A Path to Citizenship “What makes someone American isn’t just blood or birth but allegiance to our founding principles and faith in the idea that anyone from anywhere can write the next chapter of our story.” - President Barack Obama. The United States is the melting pot of the world. The great American country was built on immigration. Look around, so many people have ancestors that risked everything to come to the United States to make something of their lives, and the lives of their children.
Immigrants were first welcomed in the late 1700s. European explorers like Walter Raleigh, Lord Baltimore, Roger William, William Penn, Francis Drake, John Smith, and others explored to the New World for religious purposes and industrial growth. The first European settlers that settled in the late 1700s were the Pilgrims. After the Pilgrims first settled in Virginia, the expansion of immigrants started. Then in 1860 to 1915, America was growing with its industries, technology, and education. America’s growing empire attracted many people from Europe. The factors that attracted many people to the American cities where job opportunities with higher income, better education, and factory production growth. As the population grew in the American
The American flag is majestic, waving in the wind, standing tall and proud. For the patriotic, respectful Americans, it brings us to our feet when the national anthem plays, mouthing the words with honor. America is a free country, often referred to as the promise land, where respect should be earned. The American flag is treated as a living object. It is respected and easily recognizable all around the world. It should be illegal to burn the American flag because not only is it disrespectful in many diverse ways but it is also un-American and heinous.
Some people see the American flag as patriotism. These people are the ones who have their flags out all year around. The ones who always have them flying high. Some of these people even have American flags hanging off their cars. To some people the American flag is their son or daughter who they have lost either in the line of duty in the military, on the police force, or even the fire department. Although its sad but true some Americans have no patriotism and could care less what happens around them. These people will only care if it affects them in a harmful way.
For centuries, migrating has been a life changing decision for people that choose to enter the United States in search of a better future. Therefore, immigration is the permanent residency of people that choose to move to a new country. There are debates concerning the immigrants who enter the United Stated illegally and as the daughter of immigrant parents, I am fortunate to be born in this country.
Our freedom, justice, independence, equality, and the people who come together to is what makes America so unique and of course, people are resentful and want to demolish our symbol. “Supporters of bans on flag burning and desecration may argue that such acts are thus attacks on the American nation as a whole, but this presumes that the law can determine which ways of viewing the American flag are politically acceptable and which can be suppressed as politically unacceptable” (“Why Ban Flag Burning? 5) The American flag is known for its symbolisms. When burning the flag, you take away the significance it brings to the community and our country. “Flag burning and desecration is offensive because it is political.
Birthright citizenship is the law that anybody born on American soil is automatically a natural-born citizen with rights and privileges regardless of the citizenship status of the parents. To some this is an issue known as immigrants making “anchor babies.” An anchor baby is an offspring of an illegal immigrant, who under legal interpretation becomes a United States citizen. Some republican politicians aim to change the 14th Amendment that grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” The interpretation of this amendment has caused many controversies but overall, birthright citizenship should remain
Immigration has always been a large conflict people have faced all across the world. There are plenty of reasons why people migrate to a country, whether it may be the United States or any other particular one. Many people often come in an attempt to escape poverty, crime, or to simply have a better opportunity to better their lifestyle. Although there are people who migrate and commit severe crimes, there are others who sacrifice themselves in order to live a better life. In addition to that, I believe the government should approve new immigration laws in favor of immigrants who come to better their life and achieve their dreams.
The definition of citizenship has more to do than just a person who live in the country. A citizenship can be obtained by confirming the legal requirements and laws that comes from the nation, state and local authorities. Once the person becomes a citizen in the lawful country, the person will possess the rights and privilege for being a citizen, in addition to that they will also have the means to serve their responsibilities within the country, and in return the person can get the benefits from being a citizen. The person will get the rights to express themselves, freedom to worship, receive a fair trial by the jury, rights for employment, the right to vote, the right to pursue the office and the right to pursue liberty/happiness. I believe
To truly understand why women or why some women continue to accept their second class citizenship status to men, one must become aware of the lived experiences of these women. As Patti Lather suggests, people must be the narrators of their own stories (Critical inquiry in qualitative research: Feminist and poststructural perspectives: Science “after truth”). Until we become aware of these perceived “second class” citizens’ stories, we are only left to postulate based on our own experiences.