What is an American?

Many different things can define Americans, but I believe we are all united by the American dream. The authors of our Declaration Of Independence believed in certain truths. These truths are, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, among these are life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. I think these statements are the foundation for the American dream. Today the American dream is portrayed as anyone in the United States who works hard has the opportunity to be successful and live a happy meaningful life.  Critics often point out that not everyone can achieve the American dream due to inequality rooted in class, race, religion, and ethnicity.

It is unacceptable that some people can’t pursue the American dream, even if they are immigrants.  If you think about it, every person in the United States is an immigrant, even Native Americans who came across the Bering Straight thousands of years ago. The first humans originated in Africa and every other place we have settled we were strangers. The majority of Americans have ancestors that came to America scarcely three generations ago. It is important to ask, is it right for us to deny entry to people, who like our ancestors, are willing to work hard and achieve the American dream. Everyone has the right to work hard and be successful in life; this is the American dream, what defines us all as Americans