Friday, September 07, 2007

Blog Assignment #2 - What does it mean to be an American?

Hello, Everyone:

Here is your assignment for this weekend. I think you will find it to be helpful as you complete your project "What America Means to Me."

Here's what you have to do.

1. Click, or copy this link into your browser. You can also access the article by clicking on the title of this post.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-07-02-americans-cover_x.htm

2. After you access the article, please read it carefully.

3. After you read the article, post your response to the following question:

"What does it mean to be an American?"

4. Make sure your post is at least 50 words long, but no more than 100.

5. Please spell check your post before sending. Thanks!

See you Monday!

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

well i read it but most i diden't like so im going to tell u how i feel about me being an american!!i feel free,like america is my sis,liberty,justic,and hope for new life!im poud to be one,but im also poud to be my race.but there was always something that i diden't understand about the american pledge.ONE NATION UNDER GOD!!!!why can't it be all nations under god.is america racist?

Anonymous said...

What does it mean to be an American?


I think that being an American means having opportunities and freedom. I think that America offers a wide variety of opportunities for all Americans that not all other country's do. Americans have the chance to make a change and make something of their life everyday. America offers great job opportunities and great money advantages. There is also a lot of different freedom advantages Americans have. They have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and many more. Americans have the chance to live a happy and free life. To be an American is a chance to make a difference.


From: Amanda Paolotti 901 pd.6

Anonymous said...

When I think of America I think of a country of many ethnicities banning together to make there country and world better.Whether it be fighting in wars or trying to prevent global warming.A country is a piece of land which is occupied by many beings.Usually they contain a goverment, laws, and rights of it's people.However, when you think of America you think of all of this and more.Such as Freedom of Speech or freedom the Press.Some barbaric countries would arrest or murder you if you tried to get your opinion out. However, America allows that, that's why many immigrants flee to the U.S.The U.S. also provides justice such as if someone is killed the murder will be given a fair trial and most likely thrown in jail.So when I'm asked what America means to me i think of the words freedom, justice, and loyalty.
Billy Poulos

Anonymous said...

Imagine living in a country where people would insult the government, the next day you'll most likely find the person in jail or dead. We all think of a counrty is a piece of land with a government and laws.What we don't always no what truly happens in those countries.In america we have rights.Such as freedom of speech and freedom of the press.That's why many people immigrate to the U.S.Mostly when people think of America they think of freedom,justice, and loyalty.However,when I think of America I think of a fair country Who's people ban together to achieve goals such as wars or fighting against Global Warming.Basically,people who care and defend each other.

Billy Poulos
class 902 Wjps

Anonymous said...

karen c. :]
- i think beinq american means you have the privleqe to have freedom and opportunity. freedom because you have the freedom of speech and you also have to freedom of followinq any reliqion or beliefs. oppurtunity because you have the oppurtunity to qo to school and qet a free education, which some other countries dont offer. americans are very lucky to have the oppurtunity and freedom that others dont have.
see you monday`! :]

Anonymous said...

I think that being an American, means that we have the most opportunities in the world and we should be very thankful of it. Being an American means, that we should try to help our country and help the people around us, who are less fortunate. Americans have so many laws, but yet we have so much freedom and many opportunities(like jobs, schools, food, shelter, insurance etc.) All the other countries in the world dont have anything we have, and I think that is why many of these people from other countries come here. They come to get a better life, and they come to have freedom. In America we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and more. We just have the freedom to be ourselves and we dont have to worry about our culture, or our beliefs. Everyone in America is an individual. That is why America is the luckiest places in the world.

Nick C said...

When the question what does it mean to be an American comes up I think of many things. One thing i think of is freedom. I think of freedom because many people from around the world come to America because of freedom. Also I think freedom because i feel that many Americans hear America and think of freedom. Also i think of fairness. I think of fairness because in America everybody gets a trial by jury and thats fair. This what comes to my mind when I am asked the question what America means to me.

natalie said...

What does it mean to be an American. To be an American a lot of people think that you get all these opportunities. Yes you do but if you don’t take advantage of them you will not benefit from them. Many things have changed though for the good and bad. Something that have changed for the good are that now we have more laws that people fallow and we are much safer, almost half the population get to go to college, mainly every one has a job and even if you don’t the United States helps you out in one way or another. Something’s that have changed that aren’t so good are that people are way to interested in technology ,how they look, what they can do to be better then the Pearson next to them and ect. Many Americans take what they have for granted because many countries don’t have what we do and some of us don’t know how to be thankful. America is a great county.

Anonymous said...

I think that being an American, means that we have the most opportunities in the world and we should be very thankful of it. Being an American means, that we should try to help our country and help the people around us, who are less fortunate. Americans have so many laws, but yet we have so much freedom and many opportunities (like jobs, schools, food, shelter, insurance etc.) All the other countries in the world don’t have anything we have, and I think that is why many of these people from other countries come here. They come to get a better life, and they come to have freedom. In America we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press and more. We just have the freedom to be ourselves and we don’t have to worry about our culture, or our beliefs. Everyone in America is an individual. That is why America is the luckiest places in the world.

Anonymous said...

I think that being an American is different for everyone. In the article the people that were interview all had different things to said, but they all meant the same thing the in America everyone had the freedom to live a good life and have many opportunity. I also think that America offers freedom and opportunity and im proud to live here!

Monica T.
Class-902
Period- 7

Anonymous said...

What does it mean to be an American? Well for me first of all to be an American you certainly don’t have to be born here. Being American gives people the sense of freedom: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of choice. Being American means respecting the freedom we have and respecting the people who made it all happen. If it weren’t for them America would really be different and probably not as much diverse and not much freedom.

-rabaya rahman
class 902

sarahsteph said...

To be an American means that you know the culture of Americans. You do not necessarily have to speak english. It also means freedom. This is why alot of immagrants come to the U.S to earn their own living. You have to follow all the laws and respect authorities. You have to know the environment you are in and the kind of people that are around you. Being an American is a previlege because I do not have to experience the situations that other countries are in physically.

Anonymous said...

I strongly believe that an American is a person that lives in a nation of freedom and fights for it. To be an American you live in a land of opportunities. To me an American is grateful to live in a nation of equal rights. Where as you could be in some other country and not be able to have equal rights as a woman or man. To be an American we stand and work as one to live out our dreams. We live in a place where we work hard to have justice and liberty for all.

Shazia R. class 903 pd. 7

Anonymous said...

America is a place of freedom. Where I believe where we can do what we want. Not meaning run around and go crazy without some sense of decenty. But with the rights to voice your opinions and choose your religon without any consenquenses. In some countries women have wear certain clothing, people have certain rituals, and certain ceremonies. And if I am not wrong these customs must be followed; like in some schools where you may have to do the Pledge of Allegience everyday. Lots of people take having these rights for granted. So being an American to me is what ever color or race you are you should have the right to have your on beliefs on anything.

From: Josh Class: 901

Anonymous said...

What Does It Mean To Be an American?

I think being an American means having the chance and opportunity to do many things. It means being able to do a lot of thing, no matter what race you are, which is not possible in a lot of other countries. Being an American means freedom. Americans take for granted the freedom we have. As Americans we have freedom of speech, freedom of beliefs, etc. Some countries dont even have half of the oppertunities and freedoms that American people have. Thats why all Americans must be grateful for all that they have.

---Kristofer D. CLASS. 902

omar said...

what it means to be an american to me means that we have alot of freedom.and also it has many oppurtonites for immigrants and other people that want to start to have a life in amereica and alot of other countrys dont have what we have and thats they decide to come over to america and that makes me feel really lucky to be ble to be born here in the land of oppurtunites

Anonymous said...

I read the assignment i felt that i can be an amercian that can speak freely about anything and that over the years we have fought for our freedom through wars and fights and that in the end we were gald that we fought to be free and not to follow other contries rules or laws. I felt that americans changed over the years and that we have improved and even though we have alot of new laws it helps but we always have freedom of speech and to speak are minds and that we will be herd by people who care. America has given us jobs and we can go to school. They helped us get an eduction when we needed it. Americans can take everything that get but other contries don't they have it harder and may not have the same laws as us. But in the end we stick toghter and fight for what we belive in.
Erin O'D Class 903

Anonymous said...

When I think of America I think of freedom. We are free to do what we want. We are free to practice our beliefs. We also have the freedom of speech which means we can speak freely. We are also free to make a difference but many of us sit and dont care. Others are willing to take that advantage and try to make a difference.

Anonymous said...

I think that being an American means freedom and having opportunities others don't. Being an American, I believe, also means to share that freedom and the opportunities we have with others. That's why our nation is known as "The Nation of Immigrants" because we share our great nation. We as Americans have great job opportunities. We also have freedom of religion, which I think, is the most important freedom for every American. We don't have to hide our beliefs. This is what being an American means to me.

By:Mariela O(per.6)

Melissa I. said...

I think that it takes many years of experience to truly know what it means to be an American. Just look at Viktor Schreckengost who is 100, even he had a very short definition. Judging from the article everyone has different opinions on what it means to be an American. Some said Americans are materialistic, and care about themselves. Some said in the time of need Americans help there
country, and they continue to make the country better. So, really there is no strict definition, many people have different views on what an American really is. Which ones right? We may never know.

-Melissa Iachetta
Class:903

jasonk izkool said...

Being an American isnt just determined by how long you have been living in the country itself, but being American is a certain attitude, way of thinking that can make someone American. America is probably one the most cuturally diverse countries in the world, therefore giving us a very interesting mixture of people from all walks of life. American is not just one race of people, but everyone who lives here and most of all has a patriotic attiude. People who are willing to stand up in times of peril are true Americans. Jason K 902

Anonymous said...

I read the article, but in a way it confused me so i'll tell you what I believe it is to be an American. To be an American to have to the freedom to do what you want. To have priviliges that you cant have in most other countries. To be an American its means to be have opportunites, everyone wants the American dream. Here it is possible to be successful and have money and be happy. To be an American is something you cant be anywhere else, its just amazing. But also as they say, "with great power comes great responsibilty".
Some of those dont live in USA believe that everyone who comes here, just comes and becomes rich in a small matter of time. No, thats not how America runs. America has their rules and regulations that you must follow, and you have to work your way upp to the top to get what you want. That is what I believe to be an American.=]

Livianette C.
902

tori Kramer said...

I think that to being an American means having so many privileges and opportunities. I feel that Americans are so lucky and privileged to be American because of all the opportunities that we are capable to have. Americans are able to earn a living and live the way they want to live. Americans have so many more privileges such as freedom of speech,freedom of religion and freedom of press. living as an American and observing other people in there countries one can only be thankful knowing why America is called the land of opportunities. there are no restrictions on what an American can do to earn a living and to worship his or her religion openly.When I think of what it means to be an American I am just so grateful because to be an American is an honor.

Anonymous said...

When i think of what it means to be an American i think of freedom, i also think of opportunity for people to come from different places for better jobs and education. Also when i think of what it means to be an American i think of pride and all the things that America does like shelters for homeless, health care, education and all the things it does for other countries.

---Adriana C. Class 901.

Anonymous said...

To me, being an American isnt a title but a privilege. It means the same thing that it did the day the Declaration of Independence was signed. America is freedom in itself. Freedom from opression and tyranny. Freedom to make choices in everyday living. We have the beautiful chance to make and share our opinions Whereas so many people in other nations cannot. It is an opportunity, And sometimes we lose sight of this value as time wears on. As long as we take advantage of our opportunities, and use our freedoms for growth, we may call ourselves Americans.

Bridgette C. Period 4

Anonymous said...

Keenan Parente

To be and American it means that you can say whatever you want whatever you want. It means that you can follow any religious beliefs that you want to follow. You should have loyalty and pride in this country because it is the country of freedom. A lot of people from other bad countries come here so that they can have the freedom and oppurtunity that we all here have.

kala.roze.m said...

What does it mean to be a American? It means you can have so many opportunities they you might not have in other country's like in different beliefs in different gods that others have if they do anyone can work any kind of job they can this nation gives freedom to people plain and simple.people come here to get better lives for them or their future kids so they don't know what it is to struggle for things like they do in other country's.

kala mancini period 7

Anonymous said...

What does it mean to be an American?

To be an American means freedom. You're free to do what you like. There is the freedom of speech,press and religion. America also mean oppurtunity. You have the oppurtunity to get a job and an education. America is a place to the people. We can make a difference in our country and we do.
Eirene Skocos class 903