CIVIL DISCOURSE: What Does it Mean to Be an American?

By Catherine White

One of the first things we learn about the United States of America is that this country was founded by people who were looking for freedom. Freedom to practice their own religion. Freedom to plot their own destiny without being tied down or held back by birthright (or lack thereof), wealth, or anything other than one’s own desire and ability to succeed. After being ruled by royalty from afar, American settlers determined that self rule – a government of, by and for the people would be a more fair, just system.

In 2025, millions of Americans peacefully protested across the country in “No Kings” demonstrations, meant to condemn attempts to expand the power of the executive branch by the current administration, whose leader and party members have suggested the possibility of a third term run for office, which is currently unconstitutional.

The protests, actions taken by several of the most recent POTUS’, as well as inaction (or seeming incompetence) of the last several Congresses, seems to have given America and its citizenry an identity crisis.

Who is the United States of America? What type of country do we want to be?

Are we the country that inspired the Statue of Liberty, and her inscription, “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free … “?

Are we the country of our parents and grandparents, who traveled the globe in World Wars I and II to join Allied Forces in fighting tyranny, military aggression and inhumanity?

Are we a country that values freedom of speech, religion and the right of its citizens to peacefully protest whatever injustices they perceive America participates in?

Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, I learned that America was a melting pot of people who had come from all over the world to a place where the possibilities to succeed were endless. There was no caste or class system to hold one back, one was only limited by their own drive to thrive. I was taught that this had made our country stronger, more innovative and THE greatest place to live in the world. The United States of America, with its rich diverse culture WAS the world.

Times seem to have changed and the American people appear to be at odds about the country’s priorities and how the U.S. should be run. This isn’t surprising when we see how dysfunctional the U.S. has become in recent years. Infrastructure is unstable, as is the country’s political system. As of the writing of this column, the government is shut down with members of Congress refusing to negotiate, while millions of hardworking Americans are furloughed without pay and any certainty of job security when (and if) the government reopens.

The American people appear to be at odds over everything from being ruled by a dictator instead of a president with term limits to what power or control the federal government should have over education, law enforcement, public health, emergency disaster and other services that the American people have come to rely on the federal, state and local governments to manage. Most think that the current system hasn’t worked for quite a while and that drastic changes are required to survive in a rapidly changing world.

America has always been a country of invention and reinvention – adapting to change, nurturing the best ideas and innovations from people around the world, and incorporating them into the cultural identity of the country. And Americans are great at celebrating our accomplishments, acknowledging our “greatness” in everything we put forth: Arts and entertainment, education, sports, science, technological and business innovations, etc.

Yet, reconciling (even acknowledging) the mistakes America has made has been more difficult for its populace to deal with. Slavery, the exploitation and abuse of Indigenous Americans, mistreatment of poor people, women and immigrants are all part of America’s history that many Americans don’t want to acknowledge has ever existed. They label these moments as part of a “woke agenda” intended to hurt the country’s influence and identity as a great world leader.

In 2026, America will celebrate its Semiquincentennial, an opportune time to reflect on the country we are and the country we want to be moving forward. OutLook by the Bay would like to invite its readers to share their thoughts and ideas on what it means to be an American in the new year. What American principles are important to you and why? What “traditions” do you think should be scrapped? What ideas should we celebrate as a country, acknowledge about the past and support for our future. Join the conversation and share your view of a United States of America that’s ready to survive and thrive for another 250 years!

Send your thoughts to [email protected] and we’ll contact you about publishing them in an upcoming issue.