What does it mean to be American?

In our English class this year, we have been working on a variety of things. This recent project was about what we thought it meant to be American. What we all thought it meant to be American is to have freedom and to live an American Dream of your own.

By Angelo H., Lucy G., Vance T., Kendal H. from Royal Oak High School in Michigan

This podcast gives you highlights of our group discussion. 

This is an edited version of our discussion.

Royal Oak High School

Tenacity City

Grade 9 ELA Miller

More responses from Royal Oak High School

Surprise Me

A Culture that Glorifies Success

My piece touches on the fact that the American identity is largely formed off of the parts of American history we glorify as successes and the fact that this largely hinders growth, and additionally analyzes the extent to which failure and success can contribute to an identity.

The Falsity of The American Creed

This argument highlights and explains the way that diverse Americans (particularly immigrants) may view the false or fake ideas promised by the American Creed. The argument will delve into issues of incarceration and racism seen in America.

Creating Understanding, One Story At a Time

Political polarization has become a huge issue in our country and by telling our own personal stories we can help to create a greater level of understanding to combat this issue.

A Country of Immigrants

A very large majority of the people currently living in America are immigrants, or from immigrant families. Despite the large immigrant population in our countries, we still face challenges prompted by our different backgrounds.

American Values

My essay is argues that american values can never be the same for all american citizens. In this essay I look at why these values become so diverse and how that plays a role in our country.

The Opportunity of Education

Is education the key to the American dream? I write about why I value education and how it became important to me.

The Freedom of Speech

Why the right to protest is the American Creed.

Mental Creed

How my family and community history has affected my journey for a healthy mindset and personal growth.

Generational Expression of Patriotism

My piece about how there are generational differences about how patriotism is shown.

What It Means To Be American

What being american means to me and others.

The Rich Man's Burden (satire)

My piece is a satire that details the inequity in educational opportunity in America.

To Develop Your Town

Development is a general term, one that applies to many paths of change. This one term, however, is important to individuals as well as their towns. It's definition may be broadly applied, but the process which it underscores allows for a continuation of American ideals.

More responses about "freedom"

Surprise Me

My American Creed

This is a description of my American Creed.

Connected American Creed across the country

From the original colonists who created the foundation of American Creed, it spread throughout the country, the ideals passed down through their descendants, and shared with new Immigrants as time passes.

My American Creed

My family connects to the American Creed in many ways. We are just thankful to be free.

What is the American Dream?

My op-ed piece on what is, or should be, the American Dream.

My American Creed

This slide show presents my idea of an American Creed. It shows how my family has moved and my pappaw was in the war.

America Is.....

I wrote this poem to show the good and the bad in America. I wanted to highlight the good things about our country but I also draw awareness to the bad things to encourage people to make a change.

My american creed

This is what american creed means to me.

The Building Block of Our Nation

This piece is about our country being built on equality, but is the land of inequality. I talk about racism over and the people of our country lying about our country. My piece makes you think about our country in a different light and the realities some people face.

America's Pit Stop

This poem is about the history of America and the many stops that America has made to get where it is and where it's going.

Our future depends on us

In my OpEd i explain and express how America gives us endless opportunities to achieve anything. We can become anyone we strive to be, it just all depends on us. We express our American creed everyday, it's apart of all of our lives.

My American Creed

What does being a american means to me..

What America is...

America to me is freedom, expression, diversity and equality. I made these words in the shape of an eagle to represent what America means to me.

Rehabilitation Over Punishment for Drug Addicts

The "Land of the Free" has the highest incarceration rate in the world. The US can become a much better place by rehabilitating drug addicts and potentially other nonviolent offenders.

American Creed

What I think the American Dream truly is.

Reconstruction in today's society and what it means to be American

The biggest similarity in society since reconstruction and today is what people think it means to be American. Some Americans think to be American you need to bow to the flag and leaders just because you are American.

The American Creed

My American Creed is my freedom and rights. Many years ago, we had a war that fought for our freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom to do live the way you want to live, to worship the way we want to worship, and be what you want to be. My American Creed is freedom to be me.

My Parents to Me

I would describe my American creed as, opportunities, bravery, and freedom.

Rights And Freedoms Make Us Equal

Rights and Freedoms that are given to Americans are very important. We should not judge one other based on looks or physical characteristics.

A Better Life

United States is a free country and that's why people have been immigrating since 1500, to be free and find a better life.

Infinite Opportunities

My op-ed piece on the freedoms and opportunities we get to have by being Americans

America Our World

As an American, I believe we all have the right to freedom. No matter if you're privileged, low class, etc. Freedom belongs to everyone and that's why I wrote this argument to help others see my point of view as a young American.

What is it like to be an American?

In America we have the freedom to say what we want and the freedom to worship any religion we want.

Elements of an American identity

Out of the document, I focused on Condoleeza Rice, David M. Kennedy, and Joe Maddon who shared their understandment of the American creed.

This is America

I chose to show the American Creed through art, songs, etc. For my collage, I chose to use a poem by Rupi Kaur, a newspaper article, two songs including the Star-Spangled Banner and America the beautiful, then I included the American Creed monument, and the Statue of Liberty.

Writing Our Future: American Creed is part of the National Writing Project’s family of youth publishing projects, all gathered under the Writing Our Future initiative.

Writing Our Future projects are designed by educators for educators and the young people they work with. Intended for use in schools, libraries, and other educational settings. All projects are COPPA compliant and educator-managed. NWP is committed to supporting young people’s writing and civic participation by providing a safe and supportive environment for youth writing, media creation, sharing, and publishing.