Do you consider yourself an American?

[Puzzledtraveller]

Or just someone who happens to have been born within the geographic and political boundaries of The United States of America?

For me the answer used to be absolutely I am an American, almost in "Born on The Fourth of July" fashion I was raised to feel this way and to display and defend this proudly.

I am not sure I feel this way anymore. I am also beginning to feel like it is not much of a loss, to not feel this way, to not even think in terms of belonging to a nation, or being part of a group that identifies as such.

What sense of patriotism I ever had is lost, what sense of being American and even my belief in such a place has faded away with the years.

I am relieved over being saddened by this.

[annabanana]

1. dear traveller

Yes. I consider myself an American. The thought that people ought to be able to govern themselves, through a legitimately elected government is the premise by which I make that consideration.

In practice, we have certainly had our ups and downs. I work tirelessly to try to bring us closer to the ideal that we so stunningly set up for ourselves in 1775.

Our policies can infuriate me. I see them as aberrations, concocted by "interested parties" trying to take advantage of the openness of our system for their own personal (and corporate) gain.

There is nothing wrong with the idea of America. There is nothing wrong in considering oneself "An American".

[redstatebluegirl]

3. I was raised that way, bleed red, white and blue.

My parents flew a flag every single day. Getting a new flag was a big deal, we had a little ceremony when we destroyed the old flag according to protocol and raised the new one. My brother served proudly in the military. My parents always had us go to the cemetary on Memorial Day to put flags on the graves of the veterans.

I have kept up the tradition of flying my flag every day, but it feels different these days. I see the right wing taking over the country I have loved so much. Corporations own my government, they do not respond to the people any more. The world is a very scary place and a lot of it is our fault. We can blame GWB but we let him do it to us and the rest of the world. We have allowed, through our apathy, for the fringe to take over our beloved country.

Makes me feel sad, and glad I am of an age that I won't be raising kids in this mess.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

4. I consider myself an American like I consider myself male.

I was born into it, I didn't choose it. I will be blamed for things other Americans do, just as I am blamed for things other males do. If I really got fed up with it, I could do something to change it, with enormous effort, but there would always be a part of me that was still shaped by my life before the change.

[oberliner]

5. Everything will be ok once Bush is out of office

Oh wait...

[gordianot]

11. He was an ignorant disconnected vain little man.

Looking at him now would add pathetic. Future Historians will cite him as the start of the decline and fall of America as Corporate Government (which has always been there) takes its place.

[oberliner]

12. True, but we've had a Democrat in office now for some time

I guess my point is that it will take a lot more than getting Democrats into office to create the kind of change needed.

[gordianot]

19. Obama ran on the One America theme there was even talk "Post Politics".

On day one the other guys show him how Politics works. It is amazing Obama got anything passed. The Executive Branch sole function is to keep Fascism away.

[gordianot]

6. American definately.

As disgusted as I have been the last 15 years out of 63 total I am and always have been an American. I can not live anywhere else.

[JustAnotherGen]

7. Yes I do

I was born abroad at Rammstein AFB.

Now do I feel comfortable in my country? No - I really don't.

And I have tremendous anxiety for the young people in my family.

[Puzzledtraveller]

21. I worry for my daughter too

She is just 4 months old, my first child and late in life, I'm 41. Perhaps this has a lot to do with my changing attitudes

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. I consider my self a human being that was lucky to be born here....

..but also lucky to be born to good parents.

As I've gotten older (I am 58), the whole concept of nationalism, false pride, etc - has gotten very old. I think it is wisdom of age and experience, but also being jaded with watching humans make the same mistakes over and over and not learn.

And so I seek joy in my life, through my wife and hobbies, I try to do no harm - but beyond that, I do not at all like labels.

How's that for an oblique answer!

[Puzzledtraveller]

18. I share a bit of that feeling

I am very happy, and appreciate what I have been afforded by circumstance as much as what has been gifted to me by my family, friends and the people who come into my life daily. I suppose I have at this point found it unnecessary to be attached to a identity outside of being a human being, like you.

[JaneyVee]

9. Hell YES.

[newfie11]

10. I used to be proud to be an America

Now I'm American by birth only.

[LWolf]

13. Interesting question.

Last edited Fri Aug 22, 2014, 11:20 AM - Edit history (1)

I consider anyone living anywhere in the Americas to be an "American."

I don't think the U.S. holds exclusive right to that identity.

I consider myself to be a U.S. citizen, because I am. I was born here. It's not a matter of pride, nor of shame, but of reality. I'm a citizen of the nation I was born in.

My identity as a person has nothing whatsoever to do with my place of birth, or my government. It never has. I have never been touched by patriotism, which is a more politically correct term for nationalism. Unlike so many of my fellow U.S. citizens, I don't see my government as a parent, a friend, or an enemy. I don't have an emotionally insecure need for a political big brother. It's supposed to work for me, and it doesn't. It's corrupt. That's reality. There's nothing to be proud of. It does its job, or not.

I know that most have been conditioned to nationalism from young childhood. I understand the underlying emotional triggers. I just don't relate. It's outside my experience. I understand that those who mature and evolve into thinking adults may evolve away from that early conditioning, and experience sadness in consequence. Better that, though, than remaining a pawn of propaganda.

[Puzzledtraveller]

17. I feel you on the "nationalism" aspect

Your feelings on the subject closely mirror where I am at today.

[Bettie]

14. I'm a citizen of the US

and an American, having been born in North America, in the US.

For me, a large part of patriotism is the knowledge that we can and should do better as a nation.

I believe strongly that the majority of people in this nation are decent people who believe in equal opportunity for everyone.

Now, if we could only get that majority to vote and have their votes counted.

[Puzzledtraveller]

15. Thanks for the replies

It is something that has been weighing heavily on me and I feel like I have come to some conclusion. I wanted to know how others feel about this.

[jehop61]

20. This country

Has always had its problems and difficulties. The difference now is communication. Everything is dissected and discussed on tv, the internet, and social media. We are constantly bombarded and overloaded with it all. No wonder we begin to question our government and ourselves. This is essentially a great country with good intending people. Try to focus on more positive aspects and give of yourself to make something you care about, better.

[L0oniX]

16. If you don't ...will you be put on a list?

[ancianita]

25. Hear THAT!

Face it. By now we're on a lot of lists.

[IsItJustMe]

22. Of coarse I do. I have a vested interest in doing so because

I live here. With that being said, I believe it is far more patriotic to stand up and be honest when this country is going astray, as it did with the Iraq War, than to be one of the many sheep that just go along with the program.

[hamsterjill]

23. Absolutely! 100% American and damn proud of it!

Yes, I consider myself an American. I also know that, as bad as it is sometimes in this country, I am very lucky to live here.

I have the freedom to say what I want, the freedom to worship as I wish, the freedom to live as I see fit.

Yes, we have work to do. America is not perfect, but she's better than just about anything else around.

And I still believe that when necessary, ALL Americans would come together to help one another.

[Paladin]

24. Yes, if only because I've been told that, as a Texan, I should not consider myself an American.

Right here on DU.

Any inclinations toward brain-dead, flag-waving patriotism were driven out of me, long ago.

[ancianita]

26. Human first, with geographical attachments to this country that would probably never save me from

anything. Global citizen second, because empathy, education contributions to global organizations. American citizen third, my passport reinforces my geopolitical 'container,' because local politics matter sometimes, and because humans' education matters all the time.

[VanGoghRocks]

27. "I have no country to fight for; my country

is the earth; I am a citizen of the world."

~Eugene Debs, When I Shall Fight (1915)

Although I live in California, my heart lies with Debs.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

28. My country is the world, and my religion is to do good. Thomas Paine

[Matrosov]

29. Class divides people more than nationality n/t

[Action_Patrol]

30. Gross

Dogmatic allegiance to nationalism or religion brings out the worst in someone.
You aren't better than someone else because of the geographical location that your parents decided to fuck in. Same goes for your choice of invisible sky friend.