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.

[johnthedrunk]

Always being number 1



and always tasting good

[Melanie]

The thing that I'm finding funny about your picture is... the nachos. hahaha


Hooray for America!

[impala454]

Nachos are more American than Mexican

[Melanie]

haha I like how you're saying this to someone who's family is from Mexico.

no, Taco Bell nachos, which are the ones on the picture, are American. But nachos are definitely a part of antojitos.

[FORSAKENR320]

thats america.


actually, to me, america is hatred, bigotry, selfishness, and the RIGHT the be able to be that way. we are a country of chaos. we are always second guessing our policies, always changing, always building something new, and always tearing something down. it is how we survive, it is that chaos that allows us as a country to work. we are constantly adapting. our ability to question ourselves and those that govern us is what makes us strong. i live in a country where it is ok for me to hate the government. or my nieghbor. or his dog. and i am allowed to be hated by my government. or my nieghbor... or his dog. it's like a giant family at christmas... there is bickering, fighting, and general dissent... but over the top of that, we are all gathered together for one common cause, and that is each other. we give each other the abilities to be assholes without reprocussion

[Seeker]

One word: Liberty

What is liberty?

According to Thomas Jefferson: "Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual."

So in essence liberty means we have to the right to do whatever we want unimpeded as long as we don't harm or infringe on the liberty of others. Unfortunately the Federal government has encroached enough that we have very few of our God-given liberty left... the government/tyrants have taken it all away.

That brings me to my next Jefferson quote: "A little revolution now and then is a good thing; the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Thomas Jefferson was a true American and you can find the rest of his quotes here: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson

[Dogmeat]

the ability to freely offend whoever the flying fuck I want to because they're stupid and then blow the shit out of them and their fucking homelands with fully automatic weapons if they have a fucking problem with it.

[chook]

America is about being the best in a screwed up world and trying to help others. Being the best in a bad group isn't that great, but you'll get the most blame and envy.

[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.

[johnthedrunk]

The thing that I'm finding funny about your picture is... the nachos. hahaha
Hooray for America!

Nachos are more American than Mexican

dont forget the panda express!

[Dogmeat]

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.

Just "Act Black" ... Apparently if you aren't white and want to be "American" it's the thing to do

[impala454]

haha I like how you're saying this to someone who's family is from Mexico.

no, Taco Bell nachos, which are the ones on the picture, are American. But nachos are definitely a part of antojitos.

I don't give a shit where you're from. I will guarantee you that nachos are eaten more in the US than in Mexico.

[Melanie]

haha ok... guarantee all you want. I'm from Texas. But my entire family is from Mexico and I know what I know. Whatever.

And I can't believe I'm actually going to agree with Brandon about something, but completely agree with you on everything that you said. I love the picture too.