Individualism In America Essay

What makes the United States unique and great is not a pledge, a flag, or a song, all of which are more properly labeled culturally temporary symbols of patriotism. The United States is the summation of many ethnic, religious and political backgrounds. David Brooks’ reason for writing “One Nation, Slightly Divisible” included the goal of finding the underlying cause of the divide between the social and economic aspects of our society.

Within the early revolutionary epoch of American history brought various interpretations of the country. Thomas Paine characterized this country in an excerpt from his work the Rights of Man. Unfortunately, Thomas Paine’s characterization of America does not entirely hold truth today, and can be evident in our country’s political and identity ideologies. The key points within the excerpt implies that America is a country where a multitude of cultures, religions, and languages coexist. Paine suggests that our government, which was created “on the principles of society and the rights of man”, is able to overcome the differences of political and racial beliefs.

Written by Thomas Paine in 1791, the book “Rights of Man” soughts to describe the characteristics of America. Although he did include some accurate descriptions of America in his writing, considering the time the book was written and the fact that he was a revolutionary and a supporter of American independence, there are some descriptions that do not concur with the current-day America and some descriptions that are biased as well. Paine asserts that America is made up “of people from different nations, accustomed to different forms and habit of government, speaking different languages, and more different in their modes of worship,” and this assertion still holds true till this day. America fundamentally was, and still is, a melting pot of different people and culture (Paine).

America is a “melting pot” where people from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds assimilate to the American culture. Second and third generation immigrants do not identify as Chinese, but Chinese-Americans. They may have a different faith and look differently, but they are Americans. The American society gains from the addition of immigrants by becoming a more tolerant and understanding nation. Buchanan further limits his arguments by preying upon people’s fears.

In the year 1791, political activist and author, Thomas Paine composed a novel called Rights of Man. In the book, Paine expresses his point of view on American society as perfection. He describes the United States as, “Made up, as it is, of people from different nations.” All throughout American history there are many things that make America the diverse nation we are today. America is recognized as the “great melting pot” implying that our country where contrasting cultures along with beliefs blend together to mold a distinctively American identity.

The citizens who strive for greatness are often the ones who embody themselves to the value of hard work. How Americans view their identity is based on the foundation of economic development and opportunities in the

According to the research, more than 1,300,000 immigrants live in America each year. Due to maximized population in America, if the immigration process was cut down strictly, some of the legal immigrants would not gain enough rights. The ones who do not treat illegal immigrants right, judges them “why can’t they just immigrate to other countries?” Many immigrants choose to immigrate to America because U.S. leads for better goals, and is better to live peacefully in the “American Dream” [Stephen Harper]. America is being affected the most with immigration issues.

Today in the United States, the dilemma with immigration is immense. The United States does not want immigrants here, they are not American. Immigrants are people who travel to live in a foreign country. To the United States, immigrants are people who should not live here because they were born in a different country, therefore, immigrants do not belong here. The U.S. think immigrants are here for bad intentions.

America has an identity that comes from the freedom and potential that each individual wakes up with each morning. From the beginning, immigrants approached the east coast of America. With torture on sea, starvation, sickness, each person, fresh off the boat comes with determination.

The United States of America, is known to be one of the richest and most powerful countries in the world. It has often been referred to by many as a global melting pot or as locals may say callaloo, due to the amassing of diverse ethnicities, cultures and nationalities. Within its borders, resides immigrants or descendants of immigrants from almost every region in the world, and each has in some way added to the American culture and way of life. America is known for its stance on freedom, it is a nation that values equality and justice, this can be noted in the last few words of their national anthem ‘indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’ However, for many, high levels of economic and social inequalities are daily struggles, a battle that has been fought for decades to claim the most basic rights, in the pursuit of achieving the American Dream.

People often imagine American identity as unassuming and accepting. America is a place made up of a mixture of cultures, supposedly allowing one to live their life no matter how different it may be from their neighbor. American identity is seeing someone 's appearance, and no matter how different someone 's skin color or clothes, they are sanctioned as an American. Wouldn 't America be a place that welcomes different appearances and heritages as one? Okita 's poem "

Accordingly, the ideals of America used to be we were many ethnicities, all blended into one, but now we are a bunch of discordant ethnicities living in one country under one name just with different groups. Two essays on this topic are A Quilt of a Country by Anna Quindlen and The Immigrant Contribution by John F. Kennedy. JFK regarded that “everybody is an immigrant or the descendant of an immigrant” (JFK page 23). Quindlen characterized that “America was held together by a notion that all men are created equal and that America is made up of bits and pieces” (Quindlen page 13-14). America transpired a unique nation made up of different parts.

The topic around immigration has been an ongoing controversy in many countries and especially in America. Based on the current election of Donald Trump as the president, views and opinions on immigration are drastically on the uprise and becoming a major debate for everyone. Although some critics argue of the negative impact immigrants bring to the country, others comment that immigrants actually bring values to the society and culture as a whole. In the context of today 's society in America, some people are viewing immigrants as a threat to their culture and thus demand their government to prohibit the entering of not only illegal immigrants but also legal immigrants, thus questioning to what extent a country should restrict or accept legal

America has always been known as a land of opportunity and promise for a better life from wherever and whatever you have been through. Hard work and good work ethics could get you anywhere in this country. These preconceived ideas made America a popular place for immigrants seeking religious freedom, better work, or a better life. Therefore, we call our country a melting pot of different origins, races, ethnic background, and cultural diversity. Richard Rodriguez is an American writing who has written many things that spark questions that affect things we have never wondered.

In today's society, the balance between individualism and conformity to society's expectations is a prominent and deceptive conflict. Oftentimes, the individual must put his uniqueness aside and settle for a view of an occupation, hobby, or idea that society agrees with. Instead of expressing original and creative ideas, they are held hostage by comparing themselves with the lives and accomplishments of others and the standards their our society. One of the biggest tools of society, social media, allows people to share ideas and interests with everyone. However, naturally, one will only post what he knows others will accept and enjoy just as he does.