What does being American mean to you? Options

[Inferia]

I know I've been accused many times of hating this country or somewhere along the lines of that, sometimes people say if you don't like it here, you should just leave. In reality, as much as it may not seem like it, I actually really like this country and have a lot of respect for the people here. I may disagree with many of them politically and philosophically, isn't that the point of this country though - that everyone is free to have and express their own opinions?

I started my citizenship applications recently. I could've done so awhile ago, and for a long time people asked me why am not a citizen or have not applied to become a citizen. Most of the time, I sort of just brush the question off. I've always known why, a lot of people become citizens for the benefits of living here, there's nothing wrong with that since this is what people have done for centuries. I've always felt that before I became American, I have to understand what it means to be American, or perhaps I should say what does America mean to me.

Since most of the people on this board are born American, you don't actually have to make a decision on your citizenship. But I feel like you must at one point think about about what your citizenship means and what being American mean to you.

[jonathan83]

more importantly Inferia, I understand why you want to become an American, but what about your Chinese citizenship? are you still going to keep your Chinese citizenship too?
Basically, I'm just wondering if you'll just become American for the benefits, but still be loyal to China.

[Inferia]

more importantly Inferia, I understand why you want to become an American, but what about your Chinese citizenship? are you still going to keep your Chinese citizenship too?
Basically, I'm just wondering if you'll just become American for the benefits, but still be loyal to China.

You can't have a duel Chinese/US citizenship, at least that I know of. I can't really answer your question. I'll try to answer another question that's somewhat implicit in your question. A lot of people ask me if I feel more "American" or more "Chinese". I think the gist of this question is do I gravitate more towards America or China. In the end, it's a very complicated question. For one you actually need to be able to define what does it mean to be an "American", but there isn't one "American", Americans are very different from each other. Second you have to define what does it mean to be "Chinese". What does being Chinese mean, that you were born in a country that's called China? A certain set of culture? What I eat? What I speak? That's also very hard to define. Then third, you have to define what it means be citizen of any country. Most people pretty much take it for granted that they're born in a country, they feel loyalty to that country. I don't particularly feel that way to any country anymore. Sure, part of me have pride for being Chinese, and part of me can see that how I have changed over the years to become so-called "American", and I'm pretty proud of that too. I guess what I am trying to say here is I have a certain affinity towards the Chinese people, somethings I do will be categorized as being very "Chinese", and this is not something I can deny. However this doesn't take away from the fact that my current set of beliefs is more in line with this country. That's the best I can answer that question.

[FORSAKENR320]

You can't have a duel Chinese/US citizenship, at least that I know of. I can't really answer your question. I'll try to answer another question that's somewhat implicit in your question. A lot of people ask me if I feel more "American" or more "Chinese". I think the gist of this question is do I gravitate more towards America or China. In the end, it's a very complicated question. For one you actually need to be able to define what does it mean to be an "American", but there isn't one "American", Americans are very different from each other. Second you have to define what does it mean to be "Chinese". What does being Chinese mean, that you were born in a country that's called China? A certain set of culture? What I eat? What I speak? That's also very hard to define. Then third, you have to define what it means be citizen of any country. Most people pretty much take it for granted that they're born in a country, they feel loyalty to that country. I don't particularly feel that way to any country anymore. Sure, part of me have pride for being Chinese, and part of me can see that how I have changed over the years to become so-called "American", and I'm pretty proud of that too. I guess what I am trying to say here is I have a certain affinity towards the Chinese people, somethings I do will be categorized as being very "Chinese", and this is not something I can deny. However this doesn't take away from the fact that my current set of beliefs is more in line with this country. That's the best I can answer that question.

well, you yourself may have difficulty in the situation, but this will be the defining point for everyone else around you.... china and america go to war. both countries are at fault. they both "started it" (makes alot of difference to most people who started it) would you be a liability to the safety of america? will you hide chinese troops? will you give aid? and remember, even though we americans have a proud history of housing both wounded american troops AND british troops... such a situation never boded well with the actual caregivers. they were viewed as british loyalists (for the most part)all the same by their biased nieghbors. the same happened in the civil war, with the same result for the caregivers in the south. OR will you hold a sign, saying "save your scraps to beat the japs" as notorious as that was right after pearl harbor?

and i understand you'll prolly say "niether, i won't help anyone" but rememeber that america has put the japanese in labor camps after pearl harbor... that we have hanged Loyalists. our past is no cleaner than any other country. when the shit hits the fan, we as americans, despite all our differences STILL develop the "if you are not one of us, then you are the enemy" attitude.... fence walking will still declare you a chinese sympathizer. what choice do you make then?


and i am not threatening you, and i am not trying to force you to say "america!!!! fuck yea!!!" i am honestly curious about your views in this situation.... because i feel it's pretty accurate with american history of what would truelly happen...

[Inferia]

well, you yourself may have difficulty in the situation, but this will be the defining point for everyone else around you.... china and america go to war. both countries are at fault. they both "started it" (makes alot of difference to most people who started it) would you be a liability to the safety of america? will you hide chinese troops? will you give aid? and remember, even though we americans have a proud history of housing both wounded american troops AND british troops... such a situation never boded well with the actual caregivers. they were viewed as british loyalists (for the most part)all the same by their biased nieghbors. the same happened in the civil war, with the same result for the caregivers in the south. OR will you hold a sign, saying "save your scraps to beat the japs" as notorious as that was right after pearl harbor?

and i understand you'll prolly say "niether, i won't help anyone" but rememeber that america has put the japanese in labor camps after pearl harbor... that we have hanged Loyalists. our past is no cleaner than any other country. when the shit hits the fan, we as americans, despite all our differences STILL develop the "if you are not one of us, then you are the enemy" attitude.... fence walking will still declare you a chinese sympathizer. what choice do you make then?
and i am not threatening you, and i am not trying to force you to say "america!!!! fuck yea!!!" i am honestly curious about your views in this situation.... because i feel it's pretty accurate with american history of what would truelly happen...

Well, if the situation arises chances are I'll be pro-people, I'd probably help whoever is in need of help. I don't particularly believe in wars, I probably have trouble toting a gun and shooting anyone down. My personal and political beliefs won't change if China and US went to war, government fight wars. If you look at the people who is on either side, they are really not all that different from each other. I guess all I can do is try to be a neutralizer and empathize with people. People can declare me whatever they want, I've walked down some pretty difficult paths in my life. You come to the realization that you should do what you believe in, you should be true to your self, and not based it on how other people will label you.

[FORSAKENR320]

Well, if the situation arises chances are I'll be pro-people, I'd probably help whoever is in need of help. I don't particularly believe in wars, I probably have trouble toting a gun and shooting anyone down. My personal and political beliefs won't change if China and US went to war, government fight wars. If you look at the people who is on either side, they are really not all that different from each other. I guess all I can do is try to be a neutralizer and empathize with people. People can declare me whatever they want, I've walked down some pretty difficult paths in my life. You come to the realization that you should do what you believe in, you should be true to your self, and not based it on how other people will label you.

interesting. so even knowing that you may face reprocussions for helping both chinese and americans, you are still willing to do so?


that my friend makes you american in my book.