"American" (8/23)

How have your definition and ideas of American identity been challenged? Have they changed? If they have, articulate why and how. If they haven't, defend why your definition and ideas are still applicable.

I remember exactly where I was on September 11, 2001 and I will never forget how I felt and how things happened.  From that moment on my definition and feelings of being an American were changed, I believe that day has affected a great number of people who call themselves American.  I cannot put my definition into an exact set of words for me it is more of a feeling.  When I think of being an American the words pride, freedom, patriotism, and dreams come into my mind quickly.  All those words evoke a sense of warm and overwhelming feeling of being American and being proud to come from a land where people should feel they are free to be themselves.  To me, being an American does not matter what color your skin is or what your heritage is or anything of that matter.  To me, being an American is about feeling pride for this country and all things that represent America.  Back to my point about how September 11th changed how I felt about this land and all things I am proud of about being an American.  I was in 7th grade and even i felt the feeling of being attacked and of being hated.  I did not like how that made me feel but I was still proud to be an American.  This day changed me and even more made me realize that being American has nothing to do with what color your skin is or where your ancestors come from but about feeling proud to come from such a great land and standing up for anyone and everyone who also has the same feelings of being an American.