As I thought about this question, the classic lyrics of Lee Greenwood's song, God Bless the USA, played through my mind. Honestly, this song sums up a great deal of American cultural identity--at least what I have experienced as a white, female American.
From my perspective, being an American means we find pride in our freedom, where we strive not to be in completely reliant on our government and, instead, have choices as individuals. This freedom has obviously been redefined over time, and even now, I realize that not everyone in this country has had the same freedom nor do they still. But the hope or dream is to have the choice that regardless of your background, every citizen has equal opportunity through hard work and perseverance to achieve prosperity and success. This is what is often termed the American Dream.
Diversity, as we have learned over this past decade in particular, is a strength of the U.S.A., reflected in the rich cultural "melting pot" that is our country. We are finally embracing this cultural heritage and honoring it. For instance, progress is now being made to ensure All Lives Matter, and many stories have shaped this country-- not just those of the white population.
