What it means to be American has me in deep contemplation: 

 I want to share my opinion without disrespecting the nation. 

 I am from the home of the brave and land of the free, 

 but my fear of rejection will make the words I say contradict what I believe to earn funding for my college degree. 

When I think about what it means to be American my smile reaches from sea to shining sea. 

 Firstly,  

I would like to thank our founding fathers for installing courage into the DNA of our country  

and for creating the constitution that has granted me a life of rights that  

cannot be taken away nor denied. 

 I am able to express myself freely with my image, beliefs, and dreams. 

Our democracy allows me not to be forced to do anything involuntarily that is against my values 

to choose our people in office who in which do  

everything in their being to create an equitable and comfortable environment for our 

 people.  

I have been given a quality education despite 

 my gender,  

age,  

and ethnicity:  

that too I am thankful for. America is inclusive and leaves no one behind. 

Sometimes I wonder who would I be if I was not born and raised in the great United States of America.  

My vernacular,  

views,  

and culture  

are accepted and replicated  

and I too have the access to become exposed to a wide range of backgrounds.  

What it means to be American is to dream at all heights and to achieve, to live a life full of discovery without dictatorship,  

and most of all how to live in unity with the practices of  

fair treatment, 

 unbiasedness, 

 and the eagerness to understand diversity. 

I proudly put my right hand over my heart, 

 shoulders drawn back, 

 and head held with pride 

 when I speak the words of allegiance to this great country. 

 I will with eagerness put my life on the line for the country  

who has done the same for me. 

 Red,  

white,  

and blue: 

 was that pleasing enough so I can afford to go to school?