Exemplification Essay: The Values Of Being American

Around the world, being American means many different things ranging from ignorant to arrogant. However, in America we have our own ideas of what it means to be American. There are three values that make any person American: freedom, opportunity, and equality.
If there is anything to be taken from America as an example; the idea of freedom would easily come first. The Declaration of Independence and the end of the Revolutionary truly made this country into what it is today. Freedom may sound like an overrated concept to those who have been born into freedom that was established over 230 plus years ago but this is ignorant. Americans have rights like no other countries men and that is thanks to the Constitution. Because of the Constitution, Americans are given rights such as: freedom of speech. In contrast countries such as North Korea still practice oppression. America is so far removed from oppression that they even laugh at the idea of a king by creating systems of Checks and Balances. This freedom creates a spirit in the American mind that breeds opportunity.

“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”, this is written in the Declaration of Independence and it reminds Americans that they have the opportunity to pursue whatever life they seeks so long as it abides by the laws of this land.

Opportunity is displayed when an 8 year old can strive to be president regardless of his circumstance. The statement made in the Declaration of Independence is so profound and powerful that it is used to this very day. Many would have the American citizen believe that opportunity is unachievable, but this mentality is incorrect. Just because one must endure and break down certain setbacks and boundaries to reach their goals, does not mean that they are unachievable. Opportunity is the greatest privilege granted to Americans however, it can only be used to it’s full potential when equality is

present.
Equality in America is an extremely touchy subject and has always been. Thanks to people like Susan B. Anthony who worked her entire life to make huge strides for the woman’s suffrage movement such as: the founding of National Woman Suffrage Association in 1869, Americans can live a more equal existence. Even though she did not live to see it herself, fourteen years after her death women saw the right to vote in 1920. Once again people can see that given enough hard work anyone can succeed in America. That being said, it remains true that in America equality is always at an all-time high; with conditions constantly improving no matter how slowly.
No matter what people believe around the world, Americans are virtuous people who have always fought to achieve whatever they desire.Finally, if there are three things that any American can agree on, it is that: freedom, opportunity and equality make them each as American as the next.