What does it mean to be an American
According to “The New Webster Comprehensive Dictionary”, the phrase American is defined as, “a person born in or inhabiting the American continent; a citizen of the USA”. Many of us characterize being an American with the ideology of the “American Dream”, (the wealthy family with two kids, a dog, and a big house with a white picket fence). ... In the story, “More than Just a Shrine” by Mary Gordon, she talks about being an American, based only on origin, but having mixed ancestry, not feeling like she was a part of the American society. ... As an African American of Caribbean descent, I could relate to Mary Gordon’s feelings. Yes, I am an American because I was born here, but I was raised in a household of Jamaican descent and relate more to their style of living. ... Being born American I guess I was lucky in that I never had to go through such sufferation.