?Savannah Chenevert Mrs. Saia English (III) AP 12 September 2014 Being An American There is no definite, clear-cut definition of an American. To solve the burning question of “What does it mean to be an American?” a lot of information has been brought forward to the public regarding what it means to represent the United States as a citizen of the country. If one truly wants to know what being a true American exemplifies, then they must go to limits beyond their deepest thoughts imaginable to find their answer. The famous line from the National Anthem, “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!” written by Francis Scott Key accurately describes America’s treacherous and bloody fight for freedom. However, do we know what freedom, or liberty really means? Webster’s dictionary defines it as a state in which somebody is able to act as he or she chooses, without being subject to undue restraints or restrictions. When the founding fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence, they used this definition to establish three, very basic rights to Americans, which were called unalienable rights; the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Each of these principles accurately defines what it means to be a free American. The right of Life. The first mentioned principle in the unalienable rights presented to American Citizens. It enables Americans to have the right to speak up and voice their opinion as well as act as they wish. This country has fought many fights to earn freedom of speech as well as it’s citizen’s freedom and that is precisely what we are entailed to as Americans. As Americans, we have the right to disagree with our government as well as engage in political debate and or discussion. To most Americans, freedom means having freedom of choice. John McCain explains how the government will not change unless Americans are willing to change it. (McCain, 7). Everyone has the right to make a choice on his or her own, whether it’s straightforward, problematic, exceptional or lousy. McCain highlights the overall freedom of citizens is important, however change will not come until change shows from within (McCain, 8). Everyone, no matter who they are, has the right to make their own choices because it is their own life. The right of liberty, the second unalienable right, protects one’s ability to think and act on his or his or her own. This means being to be treated equally and that everyone is the same as everybody else. For centuries, African Americans suffered extreme racism and discrimination in this country and did not have the same privileges ad others. Langston Hughes elaborates on this by the way he portrays “Americans” as one race, as one unit. His poem, “I, Too, Sing America” explains how regardless of being the “darker brother” all Americans should be equal and treat each other without discrimination. Asian-American Kesaya E. Noda’s “Growing Up Asian in America” is a perfect example of this. Although America is known for it’s “Melting Pot” nickname, stereotypes are a huge part of Americans from different ethnic backgrounds. (Noda, 3-4). Today, although discrimination still exists, freedom helps to create a better society where all can be treated more fairly and equally. All Americans understand that no matter what race or ethnicity, everyone is just as unique and equal as everyone else. The pursuit of happiness protects one’s ability to live for his or her own sake, rather than for the sake of society. This means that everyone has the right to believe in their own thoughts and feelings. It means everyone has the opportunity to go to church and practice his or her own religion without fear of being persecuted. It means the opportunity to own land and have possessions is a right which everyone is privileged to have. In Walt Whitman’s poem “I hear America Singing”, he explains how American’s have such a positive attitude and can be happy in their workplace (Whitman, 10). It is understood that these freedoms Americans enjoy do not come without sacrifice. Every single day, men and women in uniform sacrifice their lives by dedicating them to the sole purpose of protecting our country and the freedoms we all take for granted. Without severe dedication and sacrifice, it would be impossible to feel safe each and every day. Freedom comes from a great price, in which many are willing to pay for the sake of this country, and for the sake of these unalienable rights. O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!" When Francis Scott Key wrote these closing lyrics to our national anthem in 1814, he clearly understood what it meant to be free. But do we know what freedom really means? Webster’s dictionary defines freedom as a state in which somebody is able to act and live as he or she chooses, without being subject to any undue restraints or restrictions. When the founding fathers wrote the Declaration of Inde