Jordan Jeorge

Mr. Silverman
English 206
10/6/14

Early Influences on the American Identity in Today's World

If one were to consider their surroundings, one would observe the many aspects
of the American Identity. Currently an individual is protesting against the shooting of a
black teenager in Missouri. In front of the crowd of demonstrators, lay a group of riot
police prepared to stop the protest at any moment. Willingly accepting the given
punishments, the individual lies limp on the ground as a member of the riot police
forces him into custody. This scene reveals the very identity which makes up this nation.
Within the wide array of characteristics of the American identity, there lay a few
paramount from which this nation was forged: Individualism, Paternalism, and Civil
Disobedience.
Throughout the past and up until the present, Americans have interpreted
Individualism as a moral stance, political philosophy, and social outlook. Individualism
supports that any one individual has the inalienable right to freedom and to selfrealization. Along the early homesteaders path towards establishing a new life, the idea
of Individualism set forth the notion that such acts are achievable by all means. Today
individualism is more commonly associated with unorthodox artistic and bohemian
interests and lifestyles. For instance, today there are many who refrain from any activity
associated with the current social structure: thus orienting their lives toward a more
nonconformist viewpoint. Those who regularly exercise what they believe to be right and
oppose what they believe to interfere with the interests and desires of their own way of
living, will find such interferences of the state unjust.

While many live their everyday lives as they chose, exercising the many rights
they were born with, the act of paternalism often limits the many liberties and rights we
were given as citizens. Such an act of superiority has its roots within the state. For
instance, the act of prohibiting both the recreational and medicinal usage of drugs, has
shown the governments ability to treat its citizens as children. However, while many see
this intervention as an abuse of power, others see such acts as necessary. For example,
the Bush administrations previous acts of keeping those with political views not
approved by the administration, out of the United States. Those who live their lives
without the interference of the government, may act against the laws that interfere with
their way of life.
As an act of civil disobedience, resistance, and or rebellion, there are those who
will expose the oppressions and regulations of the government. The act of civil
disobedience against ones own state will often concern violence. For example, during
the Civil Rights Movement, many found the acts of nonviolent protest impeding: soon
making the decision of acting with violence. The people, who are represented by the
state, know more of their government and in turn know right from wrong. For example,
dating back hundreds of years, a group of colonists in Boston dumped 342 chests of
British tea into the Boston harbor. Amidst all the oppressions appointed by the state,
there are those who will perform what they believe to be right and to in turn expose the
maltreatments of the state.
In summary, upon the moment this nation was created, there were a few aspects
that acted as the foundation on which this nation was established: these being ones own
natural born right to freedom and self realization, a states act of oppression and
regulation, and the individuals choice to act against what he may believe to be wrong

and immoral. Of Course, there exist other aspects of the American identity. However,
one does not simply take place without the other. The occurrence of the states act of
oppression and regulation has only facilitated the peoples act of self reliance and
realization: though this is through their choice to act upon what they believed to be
wrong and immoral.