What does being American mean to you? Options

[impala454]

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

haha ok... I'm from Texas. My entire family is from America and I know what I know. Whatever.

[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.

[impala454]

America (for a start anyhow):

[Dogmeat]

i want to have sex with girls from FSU now until they giggle.

[Testm0nkey]

america is materialism and war?

those pictures seem more to me like a rednecks dream sequence

[Inferia]

those pictures seem more to me like a rednecks dream sequence

Interesting, initially I was kinda annoyed by these pictures, but now I feel like they're saying something. How about we do a graphical representation of what the US means to different people? If the above is considered the "redneck's dream sequence", this is mine

[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.

[impala454]

america is materialism and war?

those pictures seem more to me like a rednecks dream sequence

Come on now Cat don't take me for some buffoon who chose those pictures as I was grunting in my cave. If you stop and think about the meaning each picture could represent you can find some very non-materialistic ideas.

Here's what they represent in my mind:

The Chevelle: The rush, excitement of driving a fast vehicle with an exhaust note that can only be described as American. Sure other countries have awesome cars, but the old American muscle cars of the 60s-70s have a category all their own. It also represents growing up, kids learning engines & fixing up old cars w/their dad.

Minute Maid Park: I don't see anything materialistic about this one. Baseball was created in and is primarily an American sport. It's almost a social event now, people go just to enjoy each other's company, have a few beers and a hot dog, and root for their home team. It doesn't get much more American than that.

FSU Chicks at a fball game: Hot chicks and college football? American for sure . Hell there are some countries where these girls would be stoned to death for wearing clothes like that, or probably even for going to school.

F22 Raptor: The pinnacle of technology. A showing of our superiority and the lengths we'll go to to protect what we have in this country.

Harley V-Rod: Come on now, it's a friggin harley. It aint about being materialistic, just like the Chevelle, there's very few sounds I could think of less American than the exhaust of a Harley. Free riding, rebelliousness, doin whatever you damn well please, are a couple of things this sucker represents.

The smoker: It's BBQ. American BBQ is just about its own food group. Having big cookouts and get-togethers with friends & familiy, tailgating at sports events, etc.

[FORSAKENR320]

yea, i kinda got the impression you were giving impala, except i was thinking that you could enjoy a level of luxury and comfort unlike any other place. the ability to have a surplus simply for fun.

[chook]

I think so long as you don't give secrets to china or do anything that supports their government over ours, i'd consider you a run of the mill american, even if you ate chicken feet.

[FORSAKENR320]

I think so long as you don't give secrets to china or do anything that supports their government over ours, i'd consider you a run of the mill american, even if you ate chicken feet.

you eat some pretty wierd shit yourself there chuck....

[chook]

you eat some pretty wierd shit yourself there chuck....

The girl i'm seeing right now made me eat them. they weren't good.

[impala454]

chicken feet wtf... is there anything on them besides bones & skin?!?!?

[Inferia]

chicken feet wtf... is there anything on them besides bones & skin?!?!?

tendon.