What Does it Mean to Be American?
As we wish Americans a wonderful holiday commemorating their declaration of independence from the mother country, it may be a good time to ask, "What does it mean to be American?"
Speaking of mothers, my mother-in-law went to Wellesley in her youth (well before Hilary Clinton) and every now and then, one of her university friends would visit Canada and offer me a glimpse into the mythical American woman, initially brought to my attention by Burton Cummings and The Guess Who.
The American lunch guest did not disappoint me as she wore bright red lipstick with jeans, a jaunty scarf, and was happy to discuss politics. She told me how she fell in love as a young woman and moved to Amsterdam, where she had brought up her family until recently widowed. She was now returning to America, after thirty years away in Europe. When I asked her about how she defined being American, she did so in a way that Canadians do too --by telling a story to compare the culture where she had lived to her beloved homeland, America.
She recalled her children attending a local school and the parents decided they needed a printer for the school administrator. She suggested they hold a bake sale. There was silence. The other mothers turned to stare and looked at her as if she were from Mars. In that moment in time, she realized that this difference defined her approach to her life. It is the "make it on your own" attitude which was utterly alien, incomprehensible and distasteful to the Dutch mothers who went back to their business of discussing how to petition the government for money. The school did get the money after two years, and a printer was bought for the staff. It cost just under $1,000 at the time.
This weekend, I was reminded of this American Woman and her story of fierce independence when I read Ayaan Hirsi Ali's book called Nomad and her description of what it means to be American. She admired the importance placed on the loving family unit and the support for the institution from society. (She did slip in a scathing comment about Hollywood creating films about dysfunctional Jewish and Christian families. She recommend Hollywood take a look at the dysfunctional families of the religion that shall not be named).
Ali sums up her views of America and what makes it great with her observation of the importance placed on the American family, the pioneer spirit but above all, the people getting on with their lives without looking to the state. Here is Ali:
What Americans are reluctant to do--and this is perhaps the most important difference between Americans and Europeans--is to call on the state (or the "government" as Americans prefer to say....
Unlike Europeans, Americans feel instinctively that large-scale government intervention is wrong, is at best an emergency measure.
In an ideal world, Americans would form their families and firms, build ther homes and workplaces, buy and sell their goods and services, go to a pizza place on Saturday and church on Sunday, and generally get on with their lives with the minimum amount of state interference.
As July 4th arrives, do you have any stories of what it means to be American? Can you give a story that compares Europe, Asia or other cultures to American culture?
To all Rico addicts, have a glorious July 4th!
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Comments:
Jan '12
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
Does this mean that Democrats are Europeans?
Jun '10
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
To be an American is, to be loyal to family, to admire self-reliance, to accept financial risk as companion to financial reward, and to detest any overreach by government. The American citizen's message to government should be, "don't contact me, I'll contact you maybe, but don't hold your breath."
Sep '11
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
In the summer of 1940 English authorities evacuated the children of London to the English countryside. While evacuations in England were more or less mandatory, appeals were also made to other countries as well.
996 boys and girls were evacuated to New England, and the Massachusetts Home for Little Wanderers. Within days of the appeal more people had volunteered to take children than there were children to take. And each child would be a burden--at the time, London was being bombed flat, and the German invasion was imminent. Taking an English child in very likely meant de facto adoption--because there was little chance that child could ever go home.
The case worker brought a little five-year-old girl down to Cape Cod on the train, to place with my grandparents.
There was no stipend, no government support. I don't know if any was offered--I'd be dumbfounded if anybody thought to ask. There were children in need--simple as that.
The little English girl came to America, grew up with my mother, and went home an American teen. 60-odd years later, she's still my Auntie Bridie.
May '10
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
What does it mean to be an American? You mean after last Thursday?
Feb '11
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
Americans are not a people to whom the verb "to be" applies; rather the verb that applies is "to do".
May '11
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
To be an American means to be responsible for your own life.
"Where seldom is heard a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day."
Jul '11
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
When I first arrived in America as a young immigrant from India, I expected everyone to know the Constitution, the founding fathers, Hayek and Smith. I soon realized that this was not what it is to be American. In the late 80s, young Americans were worried about closing trade to punish Japan (they were going to take over everything, you see - even John McClane's wife worked for a Japanese guy).
Over time I realized that being American is ever changing but always generous, open, tolerant, and above all optimistic.
I've met people from very different backgrounds, countries etc. and the one thing I find is common - whatever flavor (Dem, Rep, Indp); it's always the optimism, expectation of good in the end.
Rory said it best in The Devil's own: Don't look for a happy ending. It's not an American story. It's an Irish one.
To be American is to have and expect a happy ending :-)
Jan '11
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
Not a story but a comment.
You’ve likely heard the phrase that government is simply another name for what we do together. But why do we have to everything together?
The founders rejected taxation from the English king because, frankly, they really didn’t need the king. What had the king done for them lately? Deep in their bones, they knew they could get along without him. Government has its place and its use, but it really isn’t the focus of life.
That comes pointedly to mind this July 4th. We celebrate the founding of our country on this day, but not the founding of its government. In 1776, the government (as we know it now) was years away.
The main complaint we conservatives have with liberals is their elevation of equality above every other virtue. It’s come to the point where no one is allowed to move unless everyone moves together. We’ve become the June Taylor dancers. For all their advocacy of diversity and dissent, liberals hate it when we don’t want to play their game with their ball on their field.
No. I don’t want to.
Apr '11
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
As an emigrant and naturalized US citizen I would have to say at its heart being an American is being independent, bold, and optimistic.
A true American doesn't ask for anyone's help, and is certain of their own eventual success despite their numerous previous failures. Think of all our grates Americans businessmen, inventors, and presidents. I think to one degree or another you will find these traits in all of them. Self made men with unfailing optimism forging ahead in uncharted waters. Even Obama has a bit of this, or at least pretends to in his biographies.
Edited on July 2, 2012 at 9:18pmJun '10
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
My father's family bought land from William Penn. I watched my mother become an American citizen. Both were patriotic, observant of the responsibilities as well as the privileges of being citizens, and hard workers.
The main difference was my father never asked the government for any help, for any reason. He did not even take unemployment comp when it was due him. My mother's first reaction is "the government should take care of that." My brother and I fall into the "I'll take care of it" category.
May '10
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
One way to understand a culture is to understand its heroes. Barkha already mentioned one of ours: John McClane of Die Hard. John is a modernization of the more classic and quintessential America hero, John Wayne.
He's an entrepreneur with little interest in politics. He leads when leadership is needed, but thinks little of himself and is eager to return to private life. He's a God-fearing man (yes, that's a compliment in our culture). He believes that the strong should protect the weak and act with charity. He prefers direct confrontation (of people and of problems) to nuance. He likes simple pleasures and blunt speech.
In short, watch McLintock!
Jan '12
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
I've just got to say that is such a nice story and well done to your family.
John Murdoch:
The little English girl came to America, grew up with my mother, and went home an American teen. 60-odd years later, she's still my Auntie Bridie. · 11 hours ago
Apr '12
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
Wonderful stories and each captures a bit of America. The Ricochet members podcast talked about the culture of America and Stu in Tokyo believes this culture is being lost. Hope not.
Jan '12
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
I don't know whether I can express this within the word limit but here goes.
Each nation has its own mythology. Each nation needs to change as the world interacts with it or its internal contradictions burst it along the seams. But a nation can't change unless it changes its mythology.
Take for instance the Cowboy. This period really only lasted for about 40 years (according to some) but it has left a lasting impression on American culture and other country's view of America. Remember John Wayne and Ronald Reagan. Of course the metaphor had to change from the settler metaphor to the Cowboy to change America post the Civil War when immigration was encouraged to flood the country and swamp the southern influence.
But it has been a great metaphor for Americans. Resourcefulness, endeavor, group loyalty, leadership and more. Of course these qualities are in other nations but definitely not in the same setting or numbers - let's just say the mix is different.
So is it meaningful to say 'What does it mean to be an American?" and try to define it from the past? It is, after all, the present that we live in.
Jun '12
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
Alexis de Tocqueville noticed the same quality:
On 9/11, the passengers of Flight 93 didn't wait for direction or help, they assessed the situation and took action. The phrase “Let’s roll” inspired the nation precisely because it is so fundamentally American in nature.
Apr '12
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
Great blog, Indaba!
Happy Independence Day to all Americans, especially those of Ricochet!
Aug '11
Re: What Does it Mean to Be American?
I can readily identify with the Dutch story above and Barkha's comment on optimism, living overseas for years. Yet, that is only half the story. The key is a culture that expects and supports independence.
I rarely see a place other than America where Horatio Alger stories are considered the natural consequence of hard work, and therefore attainable, and not simply fortuitous, and unobtainable. I do not mean montary sucess either. American's expect their children to be great (career, family, or community), most of the other places I have seen expect their children to be stable in the same fields.
That expectation brings a second very important advantage, "second acts" (if not three, four, or five) in American life do exist, if not expected. Few countries think it's admirable to quit (or fired from) your job and start your own business. Few coutnries think it's a great idea to return to college after an absence.
At the risk of sounding like a "It Takes a Village" ad, the culture supporting the attitude is as important as the attitude itself. Where else would be with out the reminders to move forward, alone, from friends and family.