America is often referred to as “The Land of the Free” since we are able to worship who we want, work where we want, and say what we want without fear of persecution, which is something I often take for granted. Had been born a few decades prior, I may have stressed the significance of these natural rights more. However, growing up in the 2000s, a time period in which several countries are working to match the freedom the United States upholds, I’ve witnessed that liberty is no longer the leading factor that sets our country apart from others.

The prime reason I am proud to be an American is because I know that you don’t have to be a born in America to be an American. In other words, the definition of an American is someone who is “a United States native or citizen." However, our country is home to a copious amount of immigrants who are prouder to be here than most of the natives. They are proud to be here because they know what it is like to be somewhere else.

We’ve all heard the cliche “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone," but what about: “You don’t know what you didn’t have until you’ve had better"? It sounds egocentric and snobby, yet it represents the opposite. Nearly every immigrant who has traveled to the United States has stayed because they were welcomed. They are treated as Americans before they become citizens, and those who haven’t immigrated are most likely unaware of the benefits.

America represents diversity. The world holds a preconceived notion about the appearances of many nations; however, America is no longer seen as a home for only the blonde-haired and blue-eyed. In fact, they are now the minority. Without ever leaving the country we can be sure that we are living in the right place simply by the amount of people who have immigrated from different countries and stayed. That’s why I am proud to be an American, because I know that even those who aren’t literal Americans are even prouder to be American.