by Stanley W. Shura

Created on: December 30, 2007   Last Updated: November 10, 2009

Yes, there is indeed such a thing as a true American. If I understand the law and/or requirements, one must either be born within America's political borders, or have been borne of somebody who is an American citizen, or have completed all the requirements of obtaining citizenry as an immigrant (I think these include taking an oath of allegiance that declares your faith to America and its government and a disavowing of any loyalty to another sovereign entity, probably some requirement of English proficiency or an on-going education in that process, and proof that you are otherwise of honorable character and what not - you're not fleeing justice or other responsibilities in your old country, etc.).

Meeting any of those conditions defines one as an "American". What? Oh, that wasn't the question? I..I don't get it. Ohhhh...wait. This is begging a debate on whether or not a true "American" must be this boot-wearin', gun-totin', truck drivin', pull-yourself-up-by-the- bootstraps, liberal-hating tumbleweed who values all the "right" things - "family values", heterosexuality, flags and fireworks, "real" learnin' as opposed to book-learnin', and the macho mom-is-in-the-kitchen-where-she-belongs John Wayne mashismo that some folks call "good ol' fashioned tradition"!

So, is that what makes a true American? Let me state a full and unequivocal no to such a fallacy. Let me climb to the highest rooftop or treetop or mountaintop and proclaim for all on Earth to hear once and for all that the American spirit is at its best and truest the embodiment and striving towards the essential humanity borne within each and every one of us all over the world.

Let me submit that what makes a true American is something within one's heart that allows, no compels this lone soul to believe in and stand for the rights and dignity of the individual as much as for the honest-to-goodness betterment of all humanity.

A true American is s/he who is truly impassioned and likewise compassionate in his quest to know and serve the truth and worth of the precious and valid and vital spirit bestowed by potential and promise at and of birth - by EVERYONE.

A true American is he who recognizes that flags and boundaries and hue and house of worship does not define the citizenship - the human value! - of his brothers and sisters on earth. A true American is one who is just as proud and moved to love and want the very best of and for all of his shared humanity.

This is the one and true American spirit. It is a humanity that reaches for and embraces the highest ideals no matter where or by whom they shall come. It is the desire and promise to live up to that precious worth we seek and find in others - and call it forth from within ourselves.

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