# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
- If you work hard, you get good things in life. -José, college student/roofer; immigrant without legal status in Tulsa, Oklahoma (born in Mexico)

- Being American is red, white and blue and being free. It doesn't matter what language you speak; if you're born in America, you're still American. No matter what you look like, no matter what. -Sebastien de la Cruz, 12, student who gained attention, and backlash, when he sang the national anthem during the 2013 NBA finals in a mariachi outfit (born and lives in San Antonio)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What does it mean to be an American - Infographic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If you work hard, you get good things in life. -José, college student/roofer; immigrant without legal status in Tulsa, Oklahoma (born in Mexico) - Being American is red, white and blue and being free. It doesn't matter what language you speak; if you're born in America, you're still American.

# data[].attributes.body
This song is something I chose that I believe what describes "What it means to be an American" because it shows all of the obstacles and hardships it takes to achieve the American dream but it also shows that it is always possible if you work and dream hard enough.

# data[].attributes.body
“Oh, whoa, everybody's dreaming big
Oh, whoa, but everybody's just getting by
That's how it goes in everyday America
A little town and a great big life.”

# data[].attributes.body
I selected these quotes from the article because they each give an interesting and different perspective, but all share the same idea that being American means being hardworking and genuine

# data[].attributes.body
- If you work hard, you get good things in life. —José, college student/roofer; immigrant without legal status in Tulsa, Oklahoma (born in Mexico)
- Being American is red, white and blue and being free. It doesn’t matter what language you speak; if you’re born in America, you’re still American. No matter what you look like, no matter what. —Sebastien de la Cruz, 12, student who gained attention, and backlash, when he sang the national anthem during the 2013 NBA finals in a mariachi outfit (born and lives in San Antonio)
- Being American means protection by the law. Anyone can say whatever they want and, even if I don’t agree with them, they’re still protected by the law it’s my job to enforce. That’s their freedom. That’s their right. —Sean Larkin, 40, sergeant with Tulsa Police Department’s gang unit in Tulsa, Oklahoma (born in Virginia)
https://www.facinghistory.org/my-part-story/what-does-it-mean-be-american

# data[].attributes.body
This quote from Whoopi Goldberg, who is an American actress, comedian, author, and television host, shows that the "American Dream" is attainable which also connects to the guiding question, which is "What does it mean to be an American?" due to the idea that if you work hard, you can do anything as an American.

# data[].attributes.body
We have looked at this piece of WWI propaganda before in a class activity. Propaganda is a very effective example in showing what it means to  be an American. In this piece, for example, the main idea is that every man should want to enlist into the war because women could not and that's the strong and brave thing to do for your country.

# data[].attributes.body
In this video, the topic is discussing the obstacles immigrants face when assimilating to the US. For example, a hispanic immigrant gave a personal account of being told he was "Too hispanic to be an American" but also "Too American to be hispanic" and the difficulties of balancing both cultures. Along with that, surveys are showing that people think that the way to be an American is through speaking English and sharing American traditions.

# data[].attributes.body
http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-american-values-assimilation-20170411-htmlstory.html

# data[].attributes.body
This article discusses the common ground that people found when talking about American Identity. Nearly every respondent believes that respecting American institutions and laws (93 percent) and having American citizenship (91 percent) are very important to being American

# data[].attributes.headline
What makes someone a “real” American? 93% of Americans actually agree on this.

# data[].attributes.subject
What makes someone a “real” American? 93% of Americans actually agree on this.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/07/14/whats-very-important-to-being-american-93-of-americans-actually-agree-on-this/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.7fdd45bd96e4

# data[].attributes.body
"All American Girl by Carrie Underwood is a country song about a couple whose dream was to have a baby boy. The story explains that they had a girl and they describe her growing up and all the qualities that make her perfect and "All-American". This song connects to the guiding question because the qualities their daughter has is what makes her an American.

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m36xv75MJ4U

# data[].attributes.body
I chose this poem to display in my collection because it is a poem we discussed in class and I believe it epitomizes a lot of subjects we have studied in class. Hughes is explaining that having to postpone one’s deepest desires can lead to destruction. This connects back to what it means to be an American and the American Dream through the struggle of certain groups unable to reach the American dream due to not fitting into the standards

# data[].attributes.body
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

# data[].attributes.body
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_3ljm0ReM01nfzvuXZsiKP9BnSmGfYNr9YI44dRLDkQ/edit?usp=sharing