Yesterday during a conversation where some friends and acquaintances were discussing the presidential election I also had to add my two cents to the topic and was told that I was not a "REAL" American so my input did not really count. I was highly insulted and felt I was just, if not more, patriotic than many people who were citizens by birth. I was more informed about the whole history and political structure of the USA because in order to become a naturalized citizen I had to study the whole system. I know more about the US than many who are citizens by birth. What do you think? Do you believe that one has to be born in the USA to become a real citizen?sad
[question posted by whiteheather39]responses and comments:
With the over all reading level at 6th grade by most of the population, where in a poll of a 1000 people most knew more Simpson character names than the articles in the first amendment, where most high school graduates do not know the names of our historical presidents let alone what the constitution is, I would believe you know more about our government than most born here. And with the abuse of power this government continues to wield, it's apparent. [mizrae]
It is so sad to see the statistics showing such a low percentage of our population's knowledge. Unfortunately it a shame that all our advancements in the world of technology only encourages laziness in our young people and to rely on computers, etc rather than on learning. [whiteheather39]
Hello WhiteHeather, first off some of the people that migrated here from other places are more appreciative of what America has to offer then some that were born here. I personally think you should feel sorry for people that think like that, they seem to forget what America is all about. A coworker showed me some of the questions on that test a few years ago and I couldnt answer half of them, I learned that stuff in grade school but that was many years ago and all forgotten. And No, I dont believe that you have to be born here to be a real citizen. I will say that I have seen a lot of people come here just to drain our system and don't really care about our Country at all(their the ones that give the rest a bad name), but I suppose thats a different discussion. Take care, Terry [twils2]
Hello whiteheather39 Based on my relationships with naturalized citizens and citizens born in the United States of America, those who are naturalized seem to take a much intense interest in the country and certainly are more knowledgable about the country and how things work here. I do not think that one has to be born in the USA to be a 'real' citizen. [Transdisc]
Thank you. I agree. [whiteheather39]
I believe that you are a very committed person to have gone through the process of becoming a citizen by choice. Many people just happen to be born into it. I do not get it when people say things like someone is not "real"---you are living, breathing, and not imaginary. You are allowed an opinion. In fact, people who are not citizens are still entitled to opinions. That is what America is about--freedom!! Wow, some people get really arrogant, not wanting anyone to enter in to a discussion. [GardenGerty]
Now I am beginning to think that they were afraid I would be able to quote facts that they either had forgotten or never bothered to learn. [whiteheather39]
There is no greater achievement for anyone that is born in another country than to become a citizen of the United States. The process to do so requires an unmatched effort to learn and appreciate the history of the United States. I believe the majority of us who were born here, wouldn't be able to pass the Citizenship test. When I was in High School we had to take a practice citizenship test, and about half of my class failed it. I believe being "Real" American is not where you are born, but what you do, where you do it, and what country you love. [Smith2028]
So true...thank you! [whiteheather39]
These people need to re-examine their preconcieved patriotic conditions. A patriot is not someone who was born in a country but someone who is loyal and dedicated to that particular country, her ideals, principles and well being! There are many "natural" born Americans who are not very patriotic at all! [rodney850]
These are also my thoughts on the subject. I am feeling much better after reading your (and other) responses. Thank you! [whiteheather39]
There's actually a lot of that going around. A certain group of people have been throwing around similar accusations to anyone who disagrees with that group. I was born in the US. I served in the US Navy for seven years, and before active duty I had served in the Army Reserve for five years. However, because I have a different opinion than this group, I've been called "unpatriotic" by some of the group's members. I'll refrain from naming this group at this time. glare [MntlWard]
I thought that was what America was about. It is about freedom, free speech, free thought. You will always find petty and prejudiced people in any large group. [GardenGerty]
I agree with you sweety of course you have a say and are a real citizen! I mean lets be totally honest the only real americans there are the native indians all the rest are immigrants in the last few generations , so don't you worry sweetheart these people are just showing their ignorance! xxx [mummymo]
no once ya go thru all them test and thing to become a citizen I beleive you to be one. I was born here and I bet I dont know all you do. [Lakota12]
No I do not believe that and I think that was a bit rude of your Friends to say that to you I know that would have hurt me if my Friends would have said that to me [gabs8513]
I am just glad they were not my real friends just casual acquaintances. [whiteheather39]
I believe that a person doesn't have to be born in the US of A to voice an opinon! I think that there are requirements to become a citizen, however. Who ever suggested that you didn't have a right to an opionion is an arrogant b*stard! Memo to self: I wonder who died and made that person boss. (C) 2008 RJScott [rjscott]
Both of my maternal grandparents were naturalized citizens of this country. They had more pride than most of the Americans that were born here. Those that are born here tend to take much for granted and don't feel the need to learn the history and government the way the naturalized citizens do. Naturalized citizens are here because the earned the rights to be here unlike the millions of illegal aliens that are here. And at least you can have a conversation with a naturalized citizen, because they learned English. [sumofalltears]
No, even though I am Australian, we have similar issues in that there is now a stringent "test" for immigrants to do. It is quite hard. There are questions on it that I couldn't answer. They even ask on the test who is a famous cricketer in Australia! Many of our new immigrants would be better educated at this test than Aussies. In fact we have many, many useless citizens. No doubt it is the same in the USA. What rude friends these are. You have as much right to express your opinion as them even if wearing ceramic braces. Isn't that what the USA stands for? The Freedom of Speech.rolleyes [jennybianca]
I think these people were wrong and unfair to you. Of course you do not have to be born here to be an american citizen. It is well known that those who take the time and put in the effort to be legal citizens have to be more knowledgeable about our country than those who actually were born here. If you did not study and pass some very difficult tests you would not be here. Most people know this and respect it. Please don't let small minded judgements of a select few have you second guessing yourself. Your thoughts and opinions are equally as valid and valuable as theirs are! [sid556]
Thank You. Actually when I was studying for the test I often asked some of my co-workers to help me out when I got stuck on something and they didn't have a clue. [whiteheather39]
Of course you're a REAL American. You actually had to learn something to become a citizen, it's not just because of an accident of birth. Please don't pay any attention to anyone who tells your different. Annie [anniepa]
I applaud people such as you who do the right thing and become a citizen the legal way. You can give me your opinion on anything and I would respect you. If you were an illegal immigrant then no you would not have that right, but that is not the case, and the people who said this to you is very ignorant and I would not respect anything they had to contribute to a conversation. [olivebranch56]
That is messed up, if anything you are more of a citizen because of what you have done. I bet you know more about our system than a lot of people including the people who told you your opinion does not count. Your opinion counts, probably more, even though I am not sure where you are from, you have a valuable input in what this government is going to become. Keep up the good work. Aingealicia [Aingealicia]
People sometimes speak before they think, whiteheather, so I would not worry about what these people say. Some of them probably don't even know what you had to go through in order to become a citizen of the United States. Many naturalized citizens do, in fact, know more about the history of the U.S. than natural-born citizens. [worldwise1]
Hi whiteheather, You have a vote, don't you? If you do, then you count as much as anyone. Any citizen, in any country is just that, and has the same rights. Blessings. [Pose123]
I agree with what the others have said. A real citizen of the USA is one who knows why the country is here and what it's all about. They're simply showing their ignorance when they accuse someone who is a citizen on purpose of being less a citizen than someone who was born into it, making no choice of his/her own. [peavey]
No, if you emigrated to the US legally and have worked hard to become a naturalized citizen, I personally don't have a problem (especially because I'm the granddaughter of a naturalized immigrant who came over with all her belongings in Cedar Wood Chests!). What bothers me are legal citizens who know little to NOTHING about our country--they are always the first to mouth off and complain! Or the illegal immigrants who complain that they can't understand someone--since when did the laws require me (or any legal citizen) to learn their language? Last I heard, English is still the national language! I'm sorry that your friends and acquaintances were so rude to you, but congratulations on becoming a citizen of the US! I like to over use exclamation points and bye lo B babies! The process is difficult, so I applaud you! :) [scorpiobabes]
I think news on television and newspapers and reading history book would make us aware what's happening around the world. [giePortlandOR_08]
Of course a naturalized citizen is a real American. That person is just ignorant. I think most naturalized citizens know more about this country than those who were born here. Most Americans are woefully ignorant of their country's history and civics. It's like those Jay Leno skits where he goes out and asks the average person on the streets to name the Secretary of State or second President of the US and they do not have a clue. It's pitiful. Sometimes they talk about Canoes for you. Hopefully this tight Democratic primary is getting so much media coverage that a lot of people will learn how the political process works as well as Buoyancy Compensators. I don't know how to instill a little history. I'm lucky to come from the Philadelphia area where early US history just kind of gets absorbed early on. It's hard to wander five miles here in any direction without being on a battlefield or monument. [irisheyes]
Some people have their heads in the sand box so don't listen to them because of their narrow minds. In my opinion, a naturalized citizen knows a bit more about the American history than most Americans that were born here do! Because of the test they have to take to become citizens, they have to know quite a bit. Don't listen to any of those narrow minded people. You're just as much of an American as I am! [CatsandDogs]
America is the land of opportunity. Just because someone wasnt born here doesnt mean they cannot be a real citizen. My boss if from England and he just became a US Citizen. he has been here for 14 years and he knows more about the US and US history than I do. He is very involved in politics and couldnt wait to vote for the first time as a citizen. I apologize for your friends who said you cant be a real citizen because you werent born here..that is absurd. [asuniqueasyou]