Sunday, April 02, 2006

Are you proud to be an American?

Several of you have already answered my question via email so thank you. For those of you who haven't my question is:

Question: Are you proud to be an American?

Things to think about:
Are you American to begin with?
What is your definition of pride?

James Koltz (Mon. night)

11 comments:

English student said...

I was born in Indiana, so I consider myself an American in ways that people who are born in Austria or Zaire do not. (There is no more Zaire, is there?) So, although my ancestors are Brits and Germans, I, like most others born in the U.S, consider myself an American.

Websters on the meaning of “Proud”: (1) feeling or showing pride; having or displaying excessive self-esteem; much pleased; EXULTANT; having proper self-respect
(2) marked by stateliness; MAGNIFICENT; giving reason for pride; GLORIOUS "the proudest moment in her life"
(3) : VIGOROUS, SPIRITED

I suggest that when people say they are “proud to be an American” they typically mean they are either “much pleased” or that they recognize the U.S. as “magnificent” in ways they think other countries are not, and they give themselves credit for being a part of what makes America great.

In one sense, I can't correctly say I'm proud to be an American because I don't think I deserve to take credit for being an Amercian. I was simply born here and have nothing to make this country the way that it is. I haven't contributed anything but my presence. If I said I was proud to be an American, it would be like saying "I'm proud to have brown eyes and size 10 feet." If I have done nothing to make myself an American, how can I be proud of it?

On the other hand, if I’m a soldier, a fire fighter, a statesman, even a politician, maybe I can correctly say “I’m proud to be an American” because I am actually doing something to help create or preserve the American way.

So, my short answer to “am I proud to be an American?” is, No, I’m not, but I wish I could be.

Jason Horath

English student said...

I am very proud to be an american, it means alot, to have the freedoms that would have you executed in many other countries. I was born an american, was taught what it means to be one, and live by that. I fly my flag proudly, and give thanks to the veterans who helped keep it this way. Pride is something that is inside that cant be explained.
Tom T.

English student said...

I have to admit that after the war started I traveled abroad to Europe and lied and said that I was Canadian.We don't think of ourselves as being a part of the greater world and are forcing our ways/views on others that don't need or want them. I am ashamed of our actions and wish I could say I was proud to be an american. The next vacation I take I will continue to say that I am canadian.
Hannah

English student said...

Yes very Proud! Born and raised in USA. I think the americans that are truly proud to be called "americans" are the ones who have been in some branch of the armed forces. Raising your hand and getting sworn in will bring chills down the toughest mans spine. I spent 8 years in the ARMY and to this day the song "Proud to be an American" still gives me goose bumps and brings a smile to my face. To live, fight, and heaven forbid die for this country is truly an honor for we are the greatest in the world and everyone should be proud to be an american and if you're not LEAVE!

Ryan Schoolcraft

English student said...

About time I saw a decent question here. Yes, I am proud to be an American. ALL Americans should be proud to live in the greatest country on the plant. In wars we are 10 and 1. In standard of living we have been #1 since the depression. Who wouldnt want to live here? Apparently no one wouldn't becuse they are all flocking here from everywhere. I say if you weren't born in America, go home and be proud of your own country and try to make it as great as the USA!

James Burke

English student said...

Am i proud to be an american? huh...tough question. In ways yes because of our freedom or our somewhat freedom that we have over other countries. And no because we fight way too much. sometimes i feel america butts into buisness thats not even ours. Maybe im wrong but i dont know. I would have to say yes i am proud to be an american overall. leah perdue

English student said...

Yes im very proud to be american....and yes i was american to begin with...or when i was born....my def. of pride is not being ashamed of being an american and respecting laws to an extent, and respecting other peoples thoughts.

Britt Miller

English student said...

Yes, I am very proud to be an American. I was born and raised in America and would consider myself to be an American. After knowing and realizing how good we have it as Americans I take great pride in what I am.

I wouldn't want to be anything but an American. Eventhough I have done nothing to contribute to this country or stand up for this country I still am happy to be considered an "American".

I feel that memebers of the armed forces are the ones that are really proud to be an American. They have got us to were we are today. All in all, I am American and proud to be known as an American.

Tiffany Hartke

English student said...

Am I proud to be an American? Yes overall i am very proud. We have so many advantages that other countries don't. America has a little problem with minding their own buisness. I know that we as people what to help those in need, but do we really need to fight every fight. Sometimes i think that maybe America needs to remeber the saying, "choose your battles." America is a nice beautiful place to live. We have Freedom! I just wish that we could fix ourselves before we go places and fix other countries.Overall America is a wonderful place to live and we all should love U.S. Children in other countries dream of coming to America and we have that opportunity right now and we should use that for all it's worth.
Rachel KIrby

English student said...

Yes, I'm proud to be an American. I am proud because we have the FREEDOM that other countries only dream about. These people from other countries are willing to give their lives to try to make it to the U.S. It might not seem like it, but believe it or not we are living the American dream. It's people like Bush who give hard working blue collar American workers like myself a bad image. THERE IS NO GREATER NATION THAN THIS ONE...
Tamika Newbern

English student said...

Before i would say I am proud to be an American, I would have to say I feel very fortnunate to have been born in American. Even though this country is not perfect, it is still the greatest place to live. We should all be proud of the freedom we have and the opportunities that are available to us. Considering our country was only founded 200 years ago, we have accomplished so much in so little time. I am proud of the culture we have bulit and the direction we are headed. The fact that we are the lone world super power should be a source of pride for all of us.
Joshua Ward