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This is the definitive image of America for me. Arnold isn't an American by blood, but this was photo he took upon passing his citizenship test. And its what I always point to when I describe America. It's not a place or and ethnic background, its simply the land of the free and everyone who wants to be a part of it. If you love freedom then you're an American, no matter the language you speak or where you come from.

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To be an American means having life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as Thomas Jefferson said. It means having the freedom and choice to be whatever you want, chasing the American dream. Being able to express what you truly want to be, regardless of race and culture, as the US has become a melting pot of people from different cultures over hundreds of years.

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I believe the term "American" is an umbrella term for diverse groups of people from everywhere who now reside in America. While you are an "American" if you are born in the U.S., many people do not really just come from the U.S. Often, they come from different places across the world, or their parents do, and if they do originate from the United States, they would be considered indigenous. Therefore, I believe being "American" means being diverse.

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When I think of the question "What is American? "I think of this picture because being American, especially today, means you aren't around one "certain culture"; you have to be able to adapt to new people's ideas and beliefs. And that's what being American is: a wide range of different cultures and people all coming together to try to live in unity.

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To be American is to be part of a diverse society with people from many different cultural backgrounds, people like myself. It also means getting the chance to experience a new life and have more opportunities. However, there are good and bad experiences in multiculturalism. It helps people to learn about other cultures but it can also lead to discrimination or make some people feel different.

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My family came to the United States looking for more opportunities and a better future. Over time, they learned English, worked hard, and became part of their community while still keeping our traditions. Their story fits into U.S. history because many immigrant families have come to America for freedom and better opportunities. Today, our family is part of the many cultures that make the United States diverse.

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To be American is to be part of the large diverse population within the US border. Anyone living within the borders is an American. This country was built off bringing in many people from across in a big melting pot. Being American is to live within these borders, no matter your ancestry, and work to build a stable household and a family, and pursue what makes you happy with all the opportunities available in this country.

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Being American, Besides the obvious face-value idea of living in America, can mean a lot of different things for different people. To me, I see it as something to be proud of, despite its many faults, it gives you something to strive for and allows you to have the best opportunities available to you.

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For me, being an American represents being a part of a large and diverse nation with a multitude of different cultures.

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I will define America as having the rights and being able to do most of the things you would like for food. I would describe American food as very processed junk food and massive portions of food as well.

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Being an American is a very broad topic and quite subjective. While I thought of being American as being patriotic, unity with diversity, or whatever. I struggled with the idea of what American culture even looks like. But alas I decided on being an active voter since you're actively involving yourself in politics that influence the lives of Americans and the government.

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My parents both came from Guatemala separately and met here in California. My mom had to learn Spanish in order to understand and communicate. They had to find a way to adapt; they both came here looking for a better life. Despite all the struggles they endured, they kept going forward. I think it fits within the timeline of US history, as many people come to the US seeking a better life.

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American is what's been changed by being with other cultures and the end result of it being made. This picture represents that because it shows that America is made up of different people and different cultures. The result of American culture is not based on one culture but a mixture of different kinds.

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Being American is about unity, freedom, and respecting people from all backgrounds.

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For me, being American means being a mix of many different cultures. America is such a diverse country with people form around the world that it is very difficult to be strictly only one culture. For example, I am Mexican-American but have grown up around African-American, Asian-American, and other Hispanic cultures besides Mexican like Guatemalan and Salvadorian. Growing up around these cultures I have absorbed bits and pieces of them as my own. So I may be primarily Mexican-American but the food I eat, the entertainment I consume, and the friends I have are from many different cultures. And that to me is what being "American" is, a blend of cultures from around the world.

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American to me is just someone from the United States and how the people live here.

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When I think of “American” I think of freedom and traditions like celebrating the Fourth of July. I also think about American foods like burgers and hot dogs. I think about the people who have served in the military are veterans, and families who proudly hang the American flag outside their homes. To me, those are things that are strongly connected to being American. I also feel like this is different from Mexico, where people don’t usually display the Mexican flag outside their homes in the same way. At the same time, I think being American also means people from many different cultures living together and sharing their traditions.

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Being American is anything of culture or experiences within the entire American continent. In my case, it would be the melting pot that is LA, with all its diversity and people from all kinds of backgrounds achieving and doing great things with each other.

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Being American to me means what the American dream is supposed to stand for. It should mean being treated as an equal, with opportunity and without facing discrimination no matter what your background is.

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What being an “American” means is having the freedom, rights, and opportunity to build a life here regardless of your background or where your family came from. that is, being able to have the flexibility to choose your own path while navigating a society shaped by overlapping cultures. Because the country was built by continuous waves of immigration, what it means to be American is constantly changing as new communities add their own stories, foods, and perspectives to the broader identity. Ultimately, it is less about fitting into one fixed mold and more about having the space to belong while remaining true to yourself.

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There may be stereotypes about what typical Americans are (and they may contain some truth), but being a true American is more than just being White, Christian, and middle-class. To be an American is to be proud of 3 things: your country, your citizenship, and your ideals. It doesn't matter where you came from, what cultures you practice, or what shade your skin is. You are an American if you are proud to be one.

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To me, being an American is living in America and being among people from different cultures and races. You can learn more from your own culture as well as from others. America is not just full of white people, but it is also filled with people who are here to follow the dreams they have and also end up sharing something of their culture with others.

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Picture Via "alifemadeeasier" - Instagram

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To be "American" means to me is being full embraced in the American culture that is of today. Fully in all the traditions and food that either originated here or became the most popular here. Of course, being born is a plus in all of that. At times, the country can be in shambles and be so hard and frustrating to make a comfortable living, especially nowadays. All I know and what is the truth is all of us, not matter the race, sex, culture, etc., we are all under one true, living, and loving God who loves us so much. The diversity we all have brings us together to explore and show respect. I'm proud with where I am because that's how it is, and I know it can be so much more better and needs to be, but I choose to follow what God has in store, and that has to be enough. Thank you, God Bless, and much love to all! :)

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America is a multicultural land where we are all able to share our ideas, love for things, and our resilience. Food plays a major role in this because of the fact that it has brought people together many times and has helped heal many situations. Being American can mean many different tins however its wat we make of it and wat we do with wat we are given

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American is someone who is related to the United States of America it’s people or culture- Dayana Montufar

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For myself, “American” is more of a mixture and not just one thing or one kind of culture, food, language, or family background. Based on what we learned in class, we must evaluate our identity changes over time. In my personal view, “American” involves being a consistent mix of various cultures, cuisines, languages, and backgrounds. Since I’m Mexican-American, it has always meant having both of those identities at the same time in my life. To be American means to possess multiple identities in oneself. It has nothing to do with one’s choice of food or physical appearance.

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I just think that the best way to explain what is "American" is with a pot. the reason is because of how many say that America is just one melting pot filled with many different cultures and practices and I agree with that, and it's not just american itself, even some states, cities and towns all feel like a melting pot within a melting pot.

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What is “American”? This is a good question to ask. America can mean more than just being born in the United States. It represents a mix of cultures, traditions, and identities from people all over the world. America is often regarded as a land of freedom and opportunity, where individuals can express themselves and work hard to build a better life. Because of immigration, there is no single definition of “American” because this word include many different backgrounds and languages.

Many families come to America in search of better opportunities, safety, or a new beginning. At the same time, they try to keep their traditions alive through food, celebrations, and family values. Over time, they balance both cultures, which honors where they come from while also becoming part of American society.

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To me, being American means a person who believes in brighter future for themselves and for their loved ones. To work hard and care for one another. To truly be united to uplift the country as a whole.

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When I think of the word “American” a white person is the first thing that comes to mind. But once I really think about it, it means having culture.  There is so much diversity in America that white people even try to fit into us rather than us to them. In every corner, every room you walk into there is a different story. 

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There is no one "American" culture; instead, there is a shared identity made up of many varied backgrounds and experiences. People from many different cultures are a part of it, and they bring their languages, traditions, and values to society. Being American doesn't mean living in one way; it entails reconciling a shared national identity with your own cultural heritage.

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My mom is from Oaxaca and my dad is from CDMX. They both came here to the US for the same reason many others do, which is to give a better life for their family back home and the family they would eventually have here. Although I don't know much about either of their journeys and their integration into the life here, I do know that my mom already had family that came earlier already waiting for her and her brothers, who came along with her. As for my dad, he had no one and built his life here the best he could before he met my mom, which I'm sure is something that's rather common with immigrants. Being American to me means helping build the nation, contributing to its growth, and living amongst other people from different backgrounds and nationalities without hate or fear, whether officially a citizen or an undocumented immigrant. As long as you're accepting and proud to be part of and on "The Land Of The Free", then that's being American to me. It fits in to how the US was founded either way by immigrants seeking freedom from their homeland that was dangerous and oppressed.

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I feel like an “American” is entirely subjective to the person. However, I personally feel like an “American” is someone who lives proudly in the US while still feeling comfortable expressing themselves in the way that their culture would.

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To me, being American means everyone is an immigrant. We all live on stolen land, and so many people come here to get the "American Dream". That means we get freedom and safety for our families, we get to embrace and share our cultures with everyone, allowing diversity and inclusivity. Despite our government failing us, it's important that everyone stays together during these difficult times.

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I believe that being american is knowing that you have freedom. Freedom to do things that other countries are limited or can't do as easily as Americans.

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“American” is someone's background, culture, and where they grew up as well as how they grew up. It can be used to describe a person, food, or anything that is related to the U.S. It is a mix of identities and cultures.

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Anyone could be American. Whether you are born here or not. I think that if you live here and you work or study then you could consider yourself an American. The United States was built off of immigrants so anyone from any country or race could be one.

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I believe that “American” is not just one specific culture or way of life, it’s a mix of many different backgrounds, traditions, and identities. It can include shared values like freedom, opportunity, and diversity, but it also reflects the many cultures that people bring with them. Also, “America” refers to the entire continent not just the United States, so being “American” can have broader meanings.

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I think being “American” means standing together. Accepting each other's differences and helping each other when things fall apart.

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I believe being American means you claim and are proud to be in this country. You've contributed to society some type of way. To a lot of people this country is seen as the promised lands, so I say any body regardless of being born here, if they're able to come here, be successful and contribute to society, I think that's what being an American is.

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Being an American is more than just being a citizen in the US. It means coming together from different cultures and backgrounds as one community. It represents diversity and unity. Everyone should have the same oppurtunties and rights.

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Japanese American Incarceration and Japanese Internment

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My family has been in America for five generations. I have fully adapted to American culture and have lost a lot of my Japanese culture. Life during WW2 was a troubling time for all Japanese Americans, not only my family. My great-grandparents got everything taken away from them as they were relocated to shabby huts far away from civilization and stayed there until 1945. My grandparents were born in the relocation camps, and that summarizes the point where we felt the most disconnected from U.S society.

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Japanese American Incarceration and Japanese Internment

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“American” isn’t just one single thing or one type of person. It is more of an identity. It’s made up of many different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences all coming together in one place. Because of this, there isn’t one way to look, act, or live as an “American.” Being American can mean different things to different people, like freedom, opportunity, or just living in the United States. It just shows how people from many places can create a shared identity while still keeping there parts of their own culture. But it doesn’t always work perfectly like that. Sometimes people feel pressure to fit in or act a certain way, and differences can still lead to people feeling left out or judged. Even though America is supposed to be diverse, not everyone always feels accepted.

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I think that “American” means a mix of many different cultures, backgrounds, and identities coming together. It is not just one culture, but a combination of many traditions, languages, and experiences. To me, being American means diversity and the ability for people to express who they are.

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My family is of Mexican descent. I don't when they began integrating into the US, but I know that for many of them, it hasn't been perfect. My grandparents on my mother's side integrated easily, learning how to fit perfectly no matter where they were in the country. My grandparents on my father's side couldn't integrate, living near the border as they struggled to feel comfortable anywhere else. Despite the various up and downs, I'm still proud of my family and where we come from.

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To be American, I believe, is to be born in America. There is no true/ideal American, as I believe America is more than just the white people who try to claim to be their land, but when in reality it's everybody's but theirs. To be American is just to be born in America and want to embrace that nationality, but many don't want to accept the diversity.

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Adan Arana: Being an American is being free to be who you are, without having someone pushing you down.

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Being American means to me that you are someone with different culture, 22 percent of the US speak a different language at home and 14 percent are immigrants but those are the people that work twice as hard as anyone else and to me that's what being American means to me.

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show the American dream with different ethnic flags around it 

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To me, being American means diversity and freedom. The American flag represents people from many different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences all coming together as one. It’s not just about where you’re from, but about shared values like opportunity, individuality, and the ability to express yourself. Being American means you can have your own identity while still being part of a larger community.

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For me, this picture caught my attention because the American flag is not the only representation of all the diverse groups living here. Red, white, and blue are not the only colors that represent the people. This country wouldn’t be what it is without people from all over the world, and even the foods we go out to eat show that we have so many options because of the diverse dishes people have shared with us.

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Being American means more than just citizenship. It means coming together and being apart of something greater. Diversity, freedom and embracing everyones differences is being American.

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I believe "being in American" can mean many different things it just depends how you take it and and how you want to be described as an American such as the culture, the community, and what stand up for.

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To me, being American is defined by the freedom to follow any cultural, political, or religious beliefs. It’s to be able to respect one another as well.

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An American is the combination of different people from different backgrounds and experiences, everyone has their own life story. America is filled with so much diversity of cultures, where being American is taking pride in the country but also acknowledging the diversity that America is built upon. An American is the combination of different people from different backgrounds and experiences, everyone has their own life story. America is filled with so much diversity of cultures, where being American is taking pride in the country but also acknowledging the diversity that America is built upon.

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The term "American" can have several meanings. Whether it's someone who's from the US, culture, or even language, to me, being American is a shared commitment to liberty & equality across different cultural identities. To fight for our values and beliefs. Though I believe that being American can be a controversial topic now that we have been dealing with a current issue that no longer goes with this perspective.

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I feel like being American is just being a part of the United States, regardless of citizenship, and all that it's about being a part of a society thats emersed in different cultures. It's also about the country's opportunities and freedom that it has, while also having other cultures that bring America to life with the different foods and traditions, creating a more diverse culture.

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I believe that being American means to identify as someone who follows the written law and who desires to be here. It might also mean that you're chasing the "American Dream" that was once the slogan. As stereotypical as it gets, I might also include that being American means that you live in a crazy country where no one is free, no matter what the law says.

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To me being American means freedom and liberty. There are so many diverse cultures that make up America. And anyone living here has the liberty to have that freedom without having to worry about consequences. Its sad to think that if you go outside you could get deported just because of your skin color and we shouldn't live in that fear.

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To me, "American" represents diversity, people from many cultures, backgrounds, and traditions living together.

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“American” means different things depending on perspective, but in general it refers to people, culture, and values associated with the United States. It is not limited to one race, ethnicity, or background. Instead, it includes a mix of many cultures, traditions, and histories because the U.S. is a diverse country made up of people from all over the world.

To me, “American” represents diversity, freedom, and a blend of different cultural identities coming together. It can include shared experiences like language (English), common symbols (the flag, holidays), and values like independence and opportunity, while still allowing people to keep their own cultural traditions.

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To describe what an American is, is difficult. Its because of the fact that its now because broad due to the mix of different cultures compared to the past. We are now able to share our differences with each other. 

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“American” refers to the many different cultures, histories, and experiences that make up the United States, since it is made up of diverse communities. Being “American” also means sharing certain values such as freedom and opportunity.

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Being American is shaped by many different cultures, histories, and experiences.

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To me, being American means diversity, freedom, and different cultures living together. It is not just one identity but a mix of a mix of many background.

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being American is to it's core having the opportunity others don't get having different cultures and communities come into this one thing and seeing it having the chance to live a life that you want

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America is the land we inhabit from cultures already present. Turning it into the so called land of freedom. Lady Liberty stands tall for us and our freedom. The freedom to build family and communities. To be one with the country.

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I believe the term "American" means a symbol of freedom and hope to its citizens. How my family integrated into US society is that they came from a different background and are not native here. But they've moved to the US to live and have a better life. For me, I was born here and used to the American customs but also adapting to my family's ethnic background as it's also part of my identity as well.

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I think that this image of Costco sums up my family's integration. For a long time, my family and extended family did not have access to Costco (2000s - 2010s). We just didn't for some reason. Finally, my older cousins had unlocked it for everyone, and it was a dream come true for all of us. Having "Kirkland Signature" was a huge deal. It was a status symbol and a big talking point for the family back in Mexico. Since they live in small towns and are hours away from the nearest warehouse store, they loved the idea of visiting a Costco in the US. While legal citizenship may be a dream for my Mom and other family members, they're content with having a Costco card through me and my cousins.

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I think the definition of “American” has definitely changed from its initial meaning and it changes depending on who you ask. America is a country built on the backs of immigrants and slaves and Native Americans but a lot of people don’t like to acknowledge that. Being American used to mean that you made it to a place where you can build a better life for your family and live in safety. That’s not quite true anymore but I hope we can get that back one day. I don’t like to claim this country anymore, especially in recent years.

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To me being American is having freedom, having the opportunity to become someone important or useful in life. When i think of America i think of many different race trying their best to create/ have a better life. Like my mother who came to the U.S. with big dreams for herself but couldn’t due to having kids but now she has faith in all my siblings to become someone good in life and to achieve big things, big things she didn’t get the chance to do due to her being in Mexico.

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For me Being American is all of us in the US working as a whole and thriving together. Everyone's culture, ethnicity, and heritage. So I think American is being part of something bigger and making sure that we all thrive as a whole

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Being American means to not be anything like your neighbor in some ways, but for a good reason. I have a white neighbor who came from Ohio and he always greets us every morning and is always invited to our dinner parties. The fact is, being American means being able to welcome those who are unfamiliar with your culture, and likewise. Being American means living in a country made up of different cultures and backgrounds where we have the freedom to do what we please may it be business or creative. My parents didn't know a lick of english and still decided to come here to start a life with nothing and Im always grateful and teary eyed when I hear stories of people going through the same thing or have gone through the same thing.

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What does being American mean to you? It means to have pride in being American. It means I have rights. I have liberty and freedom. I have the right to vote. To keep my freedom, I have to follow the law. Being an American means having many opportunities. I can be anything I want to be. No one can tell me what I can't do. My parents immigrated to the U.S. and established themselves. Because of my parents, I am an American. My family, children, grandchildren, and so on will be Americans. It means that when the U.S. national team is in the World Cup or Team USA is in the Olympics, we support them. It means I celebrate the 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc. It means I can do anything that's American.

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When you think of America you think of land marks and I think the most iconic one would be the statue of liberty.

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Being American can mean a lot of things. I believe that being American means freedom, such as having the ability to have freedom of speech, opportunities, and being treated fairly. I also believe being American is embracing diversity and respecting the differences that make our country unique. It means standing up for what you believe in and having the courage to make your voice heard. Being American is also about helping others and working together to build a better future.

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Although we can simply use the legal definition as an American classified as a citizen I believe it goes much deeper than that. When comparing a legal immigrant who has only been here for a few months to an undocumented immigrant who has been here for decades its clear to me that the most important factor to being an American is having the time to take in the country.

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America is people from different cultures and backgrounds coming together to from one single community. It emphasizes the unity and the idea that each individual contributes to help the country grow. Americans should know compassion and support to those seeking a better life, even in the face of challenges like immigration issues.

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To me, being “American” isn’t just about being born in the United States, it’s about the mix of cultures, traditions, and stories that make up this country. America is made up of people from many different backgrounds, and that diversity is what defines it. Being American means having the freedom to express your identity, while also learning and respecting others’ cultures.

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I believe being American is not only about having citizenship, but who you choose to be and what you believe in. It’s your values, ideals, identity, and culture coming together to form who you are. Being American means having the freedom to express yourself and respect the differences of others. It’s about unity in diversity and the idea that everyone has a place and a voice.

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Being American is taking pride in the countries roots and where it came from, and taking pride in the fact that our founding fathers took a risk in making a large scale democracy that has worked for over 200 years. But being American is also acknowledging and accepting all the different cultures that reside here most of our population are immigrants with the only true natives being the indigenous Native Americans.

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To be American is a privilege that not many people realize the naturally have. As my grandparents came to Mexico on their own before the ages of 18, they worked hard to provide for the family and life they built. They both were blessed to recieve their cititzenship. My Nana worked as a babysitter taking care of her comadres children and getting business by word of mouth. My Tata worked in a blue collar position but had to go on disability after an injury that dehabilitated him from work. Regardless, they always made ends meet for their family.

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Being American is someone who is born or has lived a majority of their life in the United States of America. This being that those who are not born in the US can come here to this nation to make it their new home and strive for a life that they were not able to achieve in their place of origin due to a multitude of reasons. It is for this reason my parents came to the US to have the opportunities to make money to provide to their parents and eventually to me and my siblings. This was their goal for the next few decades at which point they decided to go back to their birthplace after they felt like they had helped their children enough to stand on their own to feet.

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I see that being just an American is living in the United States, living under "freedom" and being diverse and having multicultural awareness. However being a true American is the embodiment of the government and the respect, honor, and dedication to state and country. As my parents immigrated when they were teens during the 1970s, there were waves of immigrations during the time so their integration into U.S. society was not difficult but tedious. They have to work hard and had many provisions from those who immigrated earlier or supporting families also because it was in LA the culture is quite diverse already by their time.

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When I think of "American" I think about the country I was born in. While not perfect, I still take pride in where I live and the people that live in it. No matter your race, ethnicity, sex, preference, religion, or even the way you think.

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I think america is freedom.Atleast for the most part a place where you can think what you want own what you want and kind of do what you want. I don't mean like a gta server, but more like a place that doesn't restrict you too much. I added a gun because for what even reason it's easy to buy one here. But that's freedom. -roy

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I feel this image best represents America because it shows how the US is a "melting pot" of so many cultures. People from all over the world come and share their traditions and culture, blending different foods and holidays together. I think everyone here represents America in their own way because the US is so diverse that there isn't one specific cookie cutter way to be "American".

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Being American means coming together from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences to form one community. It represents diversity, unity, and the idea that everyone’s story and effort help the country grow, like the many hands and faces in the image connecting as one tree. Even though there is a lot going on with ICE raids and immigration issues, being American should still mean standing together with compassion and supporting those who seek a better life.

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Being American means coming together from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences to form one community. It represents diversity, unity, and the idea that everyone’s story and effort help the country grow, like the many hands and faces in the image connecting as one tree. Even though there is a lot going on with ICE raids and immigration issues, being American should still mean standing together with compassion and supporting those who seek a better life.

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To me, being an American is a mix of cultures and backgrounds from people all over the world, sharing food and traditions, and accepting that other people come here for a better life and for their freedom of speech. People should be proud of their culture and should be able to share it and not be scared of who they are.

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To me, being "American" isn't about one race, language, or tradition ,it's about the mix of all of them. The idea America has always been tied to diversity and change, even though the reality hasn't always lived up to that promise. Being American means constantly questioning what freedom, equality, and opportunity really mean, and trying to make those ideas real for everyone. It's also about being able to express yourself freely, or seeing people from different backgrounds working together.

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Being American is taking pride in the U.S and being grateful for it even if you weren't born in the U.S. Anyone can be American if they live in America.

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What it means to be American - Jeovanna Lopez 

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What it means to be American - Jeovanna Lopez 

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To me, being American means accepting and celebrating people from all different cultures and backgrounds. We might eat different foods, speak different languages, or have different traditions but we all share the same home. Being American is about coming together, respecting each other, and learning from one another. It is not just about where you are from but how you treat others and contribute to your community. America is not just one culture it is many cultures blended into one.

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My dad came to the United States about 35 years ago from Guadalajara. My mom was born in the United States so she never had to migrate. My dad was 17 when he came here with his parents for a better life to work and go to school. They knew that the United States society could provide them an opportunity to come across finances and freedom. I am beyond grateful that my dad has shown what a man should provide to my sister and I because of the way he treats my mom. We are a middle class family and they have shown me what this country has to offer when you work hard for success.

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Being American means fitting in with society. Being American means eating "normal foods" such as hamburgers, cookies, donuts, pizza, etc. America is full of many cultures, identities, traditions and languages. I believe being in America is to live up to the white supremacy norms. Being American is fitting in with the people around you whether it is the way you act, speak or dress. But I also think being American is being open to learning about people's differences and cultural values.

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I've been told that being an American is more than just a citizen or living in American. Which I agree because America is supposed to mean having to be free and have equal rights/ opportunities. That's why many parents from different countries like mine immigrated from their home land to provide their kids an "American Dream" and make American a better country establishment. Keep in mind that American isn't really have a set definition since it is a stolen land. Also to have the ability to do what you want, how you want, and where you want. The amendment was created for a reason that provides us those freedoms, like the freedoms of speech, and the freedom of religion. American needs to go back and understand that's the Amendment was created for.

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To be an American it means to embrace the freedom to express yourself and pursue your dreams while respecting the rights of others. Being an American is also about contributing to a society in your own way that values opportunity, innovation, and justice.

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Being American means different people from different backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities living in the U.S.A., sharing their stories and living out their dreams to strive to become something great, for both themselves and the people they love.

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To me, “American” means diversity people from many cultures living together and sharing traditions

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Many people come to the United States for opportunity and freedom and I believe this picture is representative of that. 

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I believe there is not just one straight definition of what it means to be American. Over the years, this idea has changed. Years ago, being American meant being born in America and being committed to serving one's country. In recent times, being American means actively living in the US and serving one's purpose in the community, regardless of one's legal status. What it means to be American depends on who you ask.

My grandparents originally lived in Jalpa, Zacatecas, and crossed the border illegally to get to the United States. After years of living here, the president at the time, Ronald Reagan, signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which allowed them to obtain their green cards. After obtaining their green cards, they had my mother, and then she had me.