• What Values and Beliefs Make Americans Americans
    There are many people that have different views on what it means to be an American. Everyday people are in the media being very outspoken on topics from corn to animal rights. Every year thousands of people vote on issues that affect the way they will be governed. Every moment people feel a sense of togetherness with those close to them, sometimes even from very far away. To me some of the things that represent being an American are the freedom of media, the ability to have a say in how we are governed, and a general feeling of togetherness with fellow man.
    A great thing about being an American is that we have a free media. If you go to almost any bookstore, either in person or over the web, you can find most any book. I was at a book store once and observed there were some how-to books on some very exotic forms of dancing. In other countries these books might not be allowed, permitted or available. People can also say pretty much whatever they want online, on the radio, in books, and on TV. There are individuals on the radio everyday jabbering on about this that and the other but it is allowed because this is America. Citizens are also allowed to print or say things in the media that are anti-government without worrying about being silenced. If this were a different county they would be, perhaps permanently. Yet this is America. This great freedom of media is an important part of being an American.
    As stated in the previous paragraph citizens can speak out against the government. Being an American also means they have the right to input on how they are governed. American citizens have both the right and responsibility to vote for future leaders and representatives for themselves and their country. Americans can send petitions and letters to let said representatives and leaders know their thoughts and beliefs. An example of a petition would be the one sent around in 2006 to OOMS students for the refusal to have their high school mascot be the Pioneer. That petition ultimately failed but there have been numerous successful ones throughout history. Another way American citizens can participate in there government is by organized protests. They let opinions be known in a forceful and impacting way, but usually in a peaceful manner. The right to input in governing powers is a great advantage to being an American.
    Even with everyone’s right to state their opinions Americans generally have a fair sense of togetherness, a brotherhood with fellow man if you will. Take sports for instance. Most sport teams have a group of supporters that feel a sense of community with their fellow spectators. They all hope for the same outcome, their team’s victory. They celebrate in victory and quite possibly despair in its losses. The team members themselves become comrades, almost like another family during all the practices and games/meets. Likewise places like churches and other organizations, such as Girl Scouts, present a place to go and become close with those they meet and share interests with. Some help grow close friendships. Others just let people know there are others out there that have similar interests, allowing an undefined feeling of camaraderie and togetherness. Celebrations are another opportunity for feelings of togetherness. National holidays are celebrated nation wide and give everyone the same holiday on the same day even if they are celebrated in different ways. People feel closer to the thousands of people celebrating the same holidays than they would on a typical day. Personal celebrations, such as birthdays, are a nice way to bring a family together and united. The feeling of togetherness and closeness between fellow Americans is part of being an American.
    Over all I believe three very important values and beliefs that make up being an American are the freedom of media, the right to input on the government and governing, and the country’s ever present sense of togetherness. Everyday people are speaking their minds through the media. Every year there is voting that takes place. Every moment people band together. So whenever you think about the articles you see in the media, the government, or an organization or holiday, think about how much you and your fellow Americans have impacted, changed, and responded to them. For that is America and we are Americans.