American Identity

Our discussion of the readings for class did not change my idea of what it means to be American. Americans are individuals that are enslaved to the pursuit of happiness. This pursuit of happiness often involves the pursuit of money. Americans realize the abundance of money means that they can do more of what they please. Ultimately, we all want to do what we want to do. Anything else is less of a priority. I do not think money is the most important thing in life by any means; but I do know that we have to have money to eat, travel, and have all the fun we want to have. The readings from class emphasized, to me, the importance of understanding that everyone in America has a different economic and social standing, but that has no bearing on how “American” someone is. For instance, Langston Hughes wrote in I, Too, Sing America that even though he is forced to eat in the kitchen, away from company, he is still just as American as those eating in the dining room. I must admit that my view of Americans has changed over time. When I was younger, I thought of Americans as financially well-off people who always enjoyed themselves. I know this couldn’t be further from the truth. I now understand that there are a variety of different types of people in this great country. My idea that Americans must all seek some type of monetary gain is, indeed, debatable. But I don’t believe this idea to irritate people; it’s simply the truth that we are all separated by economic standard.