What is your definition of a Real American?

A

Ameriscot

SF VIP
Shalimar asked this question in one of the threads and no one answered. Wondering what everyone's own definition is?
 

As opposed to what? A fake American?

Anyone who was born in this country or has been naturalized is a real American.
 
I certainly consider myself one but other than that I'm finding it difficult to put in words.

I'd also think that it would be somewhat difficult for others to answer the question if it was, "what is your definition of a Real Brit, Canadian, Aussie, Scot etc."

For me being a 'Real American' is just a deep feeling of pride but then I'm sure others could say the same about their country.
 
It involves millions & millions of people. Anyone who lives in America.

Let's see: There's NORTH America, CENTRAL America and SOUTH America

They speak English, Spanish and French. (mostly)

SO, They are "REAL" Americans.
 
The term 'Real or True' American is used often. I see it online or on tv. Seems to have become a negative term now - used by people who want the America of the 50's.
 
Ameriscot said:
Shalimar asked this question in one of the threads and no one answered. Wondering what everyone's own definition is?
Click to expand...

My definition of a Real American is someone who leads a responsible life, contributes something Positive to Society, and does not become a burden to others. But then, those principles could apply to anyone, in Any country.

It's a given, that some, due to disabilities, etc., will require some help...and rightfully so. And, some of the elderly, who have outlived their resources, etc., certainly need some help. However, able bodied people who think the world owes them a living should be referred to the dictionary if they want sympathy.
 
"Real" anything at all is totally subjective. But IMHO the real Americans are the Native Americans. They were here first and look at what they've endured.
 
Falcon said:
It involves millions & millions of people. Anyone who lives in America.

Let's see: There's NORTH America, CENTRAL America and SOUTH America

They speak English, Spanish and French. (mostly)

SO, They are "REAL" Americans.
Click to expand...

You know full well what I'm asking. And if anyone refers to an 'American' they are not talking about somebody from Canada or Peru or Honduras.
 
fureverywhere said:
"Real" anything at all is totally subjective. But IMHO the real Americans are the Native Americans. They were here first and look at what they've endured.
Click to expand...

Yes, but if someone claims to be a 'real American' or refers to real Americans, what are they referring to? What values, etc? Do they still believe what it says on the Statue of Liberty?
 
I've posted elsewhere a song recorded long ago by The Little River Band. Subtle poking at the real America from an Englishman and several Aussies.

"Statue Of Liberty"

Give me your hungry,
Give me your tired,
Give me your homeless,
Give me your wanderers,
Statue of Liberty,
Standing in the harbour,
This is America,
We try a little harder.

Oh, this is America, ah.
We set the standards and everyone will follow,
We've got our own values,
But they're built on the dollar,
Statue of Liberty,
Standing in the harbour,
This is America,
We try a little harder.

Oh, but now it's tumbling, fakin', quakin',
Tremblin' on its own foundation,
There's been so many warnings,
Too late the old lady's fallin',
The only thing to do is to get out of the way,
Anything can happen in the U. S. of A.
Ain't no use anymore in tryin' harder,
Statue of Liberty sinkin' in the harbour.

You can be a millionaire by steppin' on the needy,
Words of equality, but they're written for the greedy,
Statue of Liberty, yeah, yeah,
Standing in the harbour,
This is America, we try a little harder.

Oh, this is America, ah.
Give me your hungry,
Give me your tired.
Give me your homeless,
Give me your wanderers.
Give me your hungry,
Give me your tired.
Give me your homeless,
Give me your wanderers.
 
It seems to me like a phrase used by some politicians to describe a fantasy clone-like model citizen, and I doubt that there is any such thing.
 
Cookie said:
It seems to me like a phrase used by some politicians to describe a fantasy clone-like model citizen, and I doubt that there is any such thing.
Click to expand...

I doubt that as well. I was just wondering what others defined it as, but only one or two seem to get what I was asking.
 
It's a person that supports and believes in the U.S. constitution. It insures individual property rights, the rights to own the fruit of your own labor and the pursuit of happiness. It doesn't matter where a person migrates from. Most of our ancestors came from a different country and became U.S. citizens. They are Americans.
 
Gemma said:
It's a person that supports and believes in the U.S. constitution. It insures individual property rights, the rights to own the fruit of your own labor and the pursuit of happiness. It doesn't matter where a person migrates from. Most of our ancestors came from a different country and became U.S. citizens. They are Americans.
Click to expand...

Good definition.
 
Gemma said:
It's a person that supports and believes in the U.S. constitution. It insures individual property rights, the rights to own the fruit of your own labor and the pursuit of happiness. It doesn't matter where a person migrates from. Most of our ancestors came from a different country and became U.S. citizens. They are Americans.
Click to expand...

Fully agree. Good answer.
 
What about the native American Indians - you know the ones that were massacred, had their traditional lands stolen and the survivors put in 'reservations' ? I would have thought they had the claim to the title, "Real Americans".

As for more recent migrants - are they American? I hear a lot of people talking about "Irish American", "Italian American", "African American" etc.. Why not just American? Seems like America takes second place to their ancestral homeland.
 
Falcon said:
A real American doesn't desert their home country to live in another country.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you'll get some disagreement on this. My son married someone from England and chose to settle there so they could be closer to her aging parents who are in poor health. Sure doesn't diminish his "real American" standing in my view. He continues to vote in our elections here at home.
 
America seems to be the only country I have ever heard of that uses this label --- smacks of '1984' mentality to me.
 
Bobw235 said:
I'm sure you'll get some disagreement on this. My son married someone from England and chose to settle there so they could be closer to her aging parents who are in poor health. Sure doesn't diminish his "real American" standing in my view. He continues to vote in our elections here at home.
Click to expand...

Falcon was pointing his finger at me hoping I'll get pi**ed off.

I was hoping to be able to live in either in the UK or Ireland - it's a huge world and I'm adventurous. I just got extremely lucky to meet my husband. And since I feel more at home in Scotland than in the US, I guess that means I don't get the title of 'Real American'. :rolleyes: But I still vote.

At any one time there are 200,000 Americans living in the UK, some are temporary, the rest are permanent. Can't find a definite number but many millions of American move abroad to different countries and stay there. Lots of 'fake' Americans I guess.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top