It’s Fourth of July season. Notice how I added season to the end of that statement despite the holiday itself only being one day. That’s because much like many other single day holidays, Independence Day has been manipulated and expanded into an entire production by which manufacturers, companies, sales people, organizations, and consumers alike celebrate for much longer than a mere 24 hours. The Fourth of July is known for being the ultimate summer party day. Barbeques, carnivals, cook outs and more all take place on the fourth itself or the weeks and weekends surrounding. For many, the holiday was made for just that: fireworks, burgers on the grill, bonfires and cold beer. I am not opposed to the idea of using our day of independence to get together with friends and family. I am guilty of doing just that for probably every Fourth of July for as long as I can remember. However this year, while continuing to partake in a generic Fourth event, a country music concert on the beach—‘murica—I also want to take the time to reflect on just what it is that makes me American.
Of course some will say that the fact that I am a legal citizen of the United States and that I was born and raised and have lived all 19 of my years so far on American soil is enough to satisfy my curiosity. But, I believe that there are so many more aspects of my life that make me, as well as many others, American.
Although I believe that being American has very little, if nothing at all to do with one’s looks, possessions, or other physical attributions, I see a glimpse of what one might refer to as a classic American lifestyle in my own. I see it in the old Chevrolet car I drive that was once my grandfather’s, then my father’s, then mine. I fill it up with gas I pay for with money I earn at my part time job and my high school graduation tassels hang proudly from the rear view mirror. I drive that Chevy every day to work at a baseball stadium, the home of America’s pastime, where I place my hand over my heart and stop what I’m doing to listen to our national anthem before every game. Where fans indulge on hot dogs, peanuts, cracker jacks and beer and sing along heartily with “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the 7thinning stretch.
Another part of what makes me American is my celebration of my ancestry and my heritage. Not only am able I able to celebrate being American on the Fourth of July, but I also can celebrate my Irish and Polish roots with my family anytime and in any way we chose. As we all know by the U.S.’s oh-so clever nickname “the melting pot,” our country is one that is unique in its diversity of residents and (generally) accepting attitude towards many different cultures. While immigration rates are rising rapidly and many countries around the world are beginning to undergo its affects, America has long had a history of welcoming different races, religions, backgrounds, and more into its borders. Because of this, generations later, I am able to maintain the culture that my ancestors brought with them to this country while also experiencing the cultures of so many others.
Something else that I believe makes me American is my appreciation of so much that this country has given me. I am an American young adult who is appreciative of her right to vote and is excitedly waiting to exercise that right this November. I have the privilege of currently receiving a post-secondary education at an excellent university but am also aware of the unfortunate injustice that is the negligence of our country to provide equal opportunities for education to everyone. What makes me American is my graciousness that I live in a place in which I can justly voice my opinion about the things here that I don’t agree with such as women’s rights and economic injustice.
All of these things and more, I believe, play a huge role in defining me as an American. So while I’m sitting back, relaxing this Fourth of July with a sparkler in hand, I’ll be sure to recognize my country and how it has made me who I am. I also encourage everyone else to take just a few minutes too and consider what it is that makes them American.
