What It Means To Be An America Essay

To be a citizen of the United States is the one of the most gratifying experiences that any person could ever desire to have. It is a country that provides its inhabitants with the tools that they need to achieve their aspirations and meet the goals that they have set for their life. But what does it mean to truly be an American? Well, it is more than just loving apple pie and baseball. As citizens of this country, the government defends our basic rights and freedom to act as we wish, within reason, and ensures equality to all citizens, regardless of gender, race, religion, etc. In addition to these two important ideas, being an American is also about working together during times of struggle. Over the course of this country’s history,

Although the United States is continually striving towards equal rights for all citizens, life in America was not always this way. For years, colored communities had found ways to peacefully protest the government's denial of their civil rights. One of the most prominent figures during this movement was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1963, Dr. King participated in several nonviolent demonstrations opposing the unjust laws of segregation, which led to his imprisonment in Birmingham, Alabama. During this time, Dr. King wrote a response, which he titled “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” addressing a public statement made by eight white religious leaders. In his letter, King states, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” (King 1963). This statement is meant to be the main focus of the letter because it explains King’s involvement with the nonviolent protests and his desire for racial equality. Dr. King continues to support his statement by describing how the white community continues to “curse, kick, brutalize, and even kill” the Negro race (King 1963). This injustice, according to King, must cease to exist. If it does not, this once great country will become corrupt, which will only endanger our