What Does It Mean To Be An American

America is a young country by world standards. Egypt, Greece, Italy, Iraq and China and many others have been around for thousands of years. America is only 240 years old. Yet, we have achieved greatness beyond all expectations. We are young and unique compared to all other nations past and present. The question is - What does it mean to be an American?

- Jan. 2020

There are many ways to approach this question. We can look at it from a culture perspective or a historical perspective or a modern perspective. The most relevant for me personally is how we are today in 2020. What does it mean for a person living in America in 2020. In many ways, the world is shrinking. This is the result of growing technology and communications and high speed travel. Anyone can watch TV or access the web or be on a call or travel to another country or continent within hours.

People are more mobile. We come in contact with many people from all cultures and nations on a daily basis. How we perceive others and how they perceive us does matter.

What does it mean for me to be an American living in America in 2020?

The answer depends on your world view. There are two very distinct world views or camps. On the one hand, there are people who think we are just one nation among many around the globe. A part of the family of nations that comes under the umbrella of the UN. On the other hand, there are people who believes America is unique and exceptional in the world of nations. Depending on which world view, our understanding of our place in the history books may differ significantly.

One glaring example is our military capabilities. we are a super power and as such we are by de-facto the policeman of the world. How we exercise our power around the world to maintain peace and stability is under scrutiny. If you are from the first camp, you might think America is a bully and we tends to go it alone and cause disturbances more than we settle local conflicts. However, if you are from the second camp, you might feel we are trying to make the best of the situations. We are a virtuous nation and we try to help whenever we can. We spent our treasures and blood overseas defending freedom.

The two-views are clearly on display first in president Obama's administration from 2009-2016, and now with Trump from 2017 to the present.

Some would like to frame this differences as patriotism. I do not buy into this analysis. My own opinion is that both sides are patriots in their own way. They just have a different approach on dealing with various foreign countries both friends and adversaries. They also differ in how they view our own country and its people.

For example, if you are of the opinion that we are just like any other nation, then of course you would have no qualms about people wanting to immigrate here or there. We are all equal and they have just as much a right to be here as we do...whether they come here legally through our INS process or illegally, by crossing our borders or overstaying a visitor's VISA.

However, if you are of the opinion that we are special, and we have a good country here that we have worked hard to build over the years and that our citizens paid a price both in sweat and blood in defending it in times or war or economic strife, then it is natural for us to want to control our borders and defend our sovereignty. We also expect people who want to immigrate here legally to take the time to study our system and our language and our culture and make a decision to become an American citizen. This assimilation process takes time and it may not be for everyone which is perfectly fine. We have a separate class of people with PR (Permanent Residence) status. They have all the rights and priviledges as a citizen but just not the right to vote in elections.

Here is what I do believe about people from the other camp. They are either misguided or miss-informed. They like to point to our faults which there are many and I readily admit. However, all things considered, we are miles above the other nations. When I ask them which other countries would they consider superior? I get dead silence. Yet, they refuse to admit the obvious.

I am a first generation immigrant who came here at the age of 10 from the island of Taiwan. I became a naturalized citizen at the age of 16. I consider myself to be an American. I went to school here, I worked a whole career, and raised a family with 3 grown kids now. They are American citizens and consider themselves fully integrated to this society.

I am grateful to my parents for taking the chance of moving here when they did. It changed the course of history for me and my brother for the better.

I am grateful to this country who became our adopted country. They welcomed us with open arms and gave us the opportunity to work hard and succeed.

I am grateful for the free public education that I received including the higher education of a college degree from CCNY. It was one of the free higher education program in existence which is no longer free.

I am grateful for being a part of a country that stands for freedom and justice and the rule of law and freedom of religion...

I am most grateful for living in a country that has protected the environment such that I have clean water to drink and clean air to breathe and all kinds of other conveniences. Having traveled around the world both for work and for leisure, I have seen and experienced many other countries and cultures. It is not always the case as we have it here. We are truly blessed.

I am also a student of history. I have read and learned that past civilizations have come and gone. I want to preserve our great country by educating our posterity so that we can keep it, improve it, and spread the ideals around to other countries.

It is why I try to tell my story and share my thoughts and debate others who might be of the other camp. I truly believe that the uniqueness of our country is the combination of our system of government, our Constitution, and the people who created it and passed it on to the following generations, is the reason for our success.

I also believe as some of the Founding Fathers believed that our country was created with Divine Providence.

I belief in our Flag as a symbol of our belief. I sing our National Anthem with pride. And I say the pledge and mean it when the occasion arises.

I try to do my civic duty by showing up as jurors, and educate others about our civics and teach my kids and grand nieces and nephews about our unique government.

I volunteer my time at my local Archives to give back.

I take the oath of office seriously when I served on the Landmark Commission board at my town.

I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United Statesagainst all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”