Essay On Becoming An American Citizen

Like many things in history, ideas of our country’s citizenship have changed. However depending on what perspective you are looking for the amount of change is different. From the perspective of the immigrant the idea of becoming a citizen in America was a dream. The immigrants knew if they made it to our country they would have the freedom to express themselves, and start a new life without oppression and fulfill dreams of a better life. Even though the viewpoint of the citizen of the United States has changed the perspective of the immigrant has stayed the same.
Although the idea of citizenship has stayed the same for immigrants, the idea has evolved from people who are already citizens. At our country’s beginnings, we welcomed everyone with open arms. Our country was known as a “melting pot” because all our citizens were immigrants except for the Native Americans. However, as time passed, we do not greet everyone as openly as we did before because they are

seen more as a burden. Immigrants are seen this way because they compete with us for our jobs, burdening the system, and the perception of the dangers is it drugs or terrorism that accompany the various cultures they come from.
According to the article, a global citizen should have a cause and effect perspective on the world (Accaro, 4).

This means that whatever I do will have an effect on the world around me. As a U.S. citizen I would think about my local community, state, and country first before the globe. However, a citizen can be both. In my opinion, I feel that we should put our own people first because our country does have many solvable problems such as illiteracy, homelessness, hunger, and poverty. However our country is spending large sums of money solving these issues in other countries across the globe, but not spending as much on these issues in our country. I believe helping the globe and donating money is important such as when natural disasters and disaster relief happen like the tsunamis, major earthquakes, and typhoons. However, to continue injecting resources towards issues as a global police officer, I feel that our citizens would benefit more from these resources than the global

community.
The article discusses how a global citizen should look outward when helping other countries or the less fortunate (Acaro, 3). If you consider yourself a global citizen you would go to help the poor out of the kindness of your heart. You would do this action with the perspective that you are helping them, however they are also helping you in return because we are all equals (Acaro, 14). However, many U.S. citizens would be performing these actions because they feel they are the solution to the issue. I feel that in this situation, I am more of a global citizen, I would never want any person to feel that I am more important than they are. I may have more than them, but I would try to put myself in their position and that would be my attitude going into the issue.
Like many things the idea of citizenship has changed over time. After reading the chapter I have learned there is a difference between being a U.S. citizen and a global citizen. Some people may argue that you cannot be both you are either on or the other. However, in my opinion I think that I have a little of both and by making myself aware of these meanings I can continue shaping myself into a citizen that would complement both of the definitions. Some people may consider themselves more of one than the other but that is what keeps our world in balance and makes everyone unique.