My definition and idea of what an American is has not changed. I consider an American to be a free, equal, and patriotic person. Americans are given many opportunities; it is how they go about utilizing these opportunities that define what kind of American they are. American history is filled with powerful people that have changed social inequalities. Sure America is not a perfect country. Every country has their flaws like South Africans apartheid. However, as a country of free people we have been able to become more educated and learn from our mistakes. For example, even though America used to be a land of racism, people like Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, and Harriett Beecher Stowe helped change that. The present day American has shown to be very patriotic after September 11th. Of course, not every single person living in America shows every aspect of what an American is. But, when Americans are put to the test, they show their true patriotism. A recent example of this is all the soldiers that have gone to war in the Middle East to help people that do not have the same opportunities we have been given. If you were to ask any American what they would use to symbolize America they would most likely say freedom, equality, the American flag, the president, etc. It is in this mindset that Americans are defined.
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