Beginning Of American History The Ideal Citizen example essay topic

America is regarded as a country full of opportunities, fortune, and freedom, but what is an American? Some consider an American to be anyone who has a U.S. Citizenship, but in reality it takes much more than just that. A true ideal American has many characteristics, which distinguish them from others. They have pride, honor, loyalty, ambition, motivation, and are respected by their fellow people. Since the beginning of American history the ideal citizen was one who was unwilling to settle for anything but the best, beginning with the pioneers who took control over their destiny and established the thirteen colonies. Today's ideal citizen still holds those ambitious values and has dreams of leadership and innovation.

Either way, old or new, model Americans not only set the standards for the United States, but also for other world countries. America is a place of freedom, technology, leadership, and diversity. The actions of ideal Americans is the one thing that allows America to be what it has become. The ideal American has dreams, ideas, and knowledge to get things accomplished. By combining these three ideals creates a person who is well regarded and respected. Respect is a virtue that isn't easily attainable but is directly related to power and leadership.

A wealthy person can have an abundance of money yet no power without respect. On the other hand, another man without a penny to his name can have the ability and influence to motivate others to achieve a set of goals. A prime example of a highly respected American is Martin Luther King, Jr. He was respected and honored by so many; he had a goal and carried himself in a way that intrigued his fellow Americans. By using his deserved respect, knowledge, and ideas he set a standard for a model citizen.

Beginning by voicing his thoughts and organizing protests, he encouraged others to follow him in his quest for freedom and equality. He quickly became the leader of thousands of people joined together to fight make America a better place. His famous "I Have A Dream" speech was merely a stand of words; they held no material value, but the ideas and passion behind them made it one of the most impressionable speeches and movements in history. Mr. King used his power to alter and open minds to promote freedom and equality. He was a martyr and even though he is no longer here his dedication changed the nation. Martin Luther King, Jr. set a pace in diversity and equality.

The two factors are two of the American principles. He took his personal idea and turned it into a cause, which changed every citizen's life. His legacy is still so eminent that he remains to be honored and his ideas still pursued. Being a respected person also requires one to be humble and have humility. The greatest Americans serve and surrender to a higher power. There are many options and opportunities to serve the country.

One can serve in a church, the government, the armed forces, or even in local charities. By serving, the American maintains a humanitarian factor. Often people with power are not thought of as human and as exceptions to the rules of the American way of life. The current examples of Americans who serve their country are the New York City firefighters and the New York City Police Department. After the World Trade Center was attacked by foreigners thousands of these men sacrificed their life to serve and protect their people.

It took this catastrophe just for the citizens to open their eyes and appreciate the service industry; these careers were not always highly regarded or respected. The average American would have seen the terror and turned away in fear of their own life, whereas these ideal citizens were proud and honored to serve in a time of desperation. Hundreds and hundreds went in to relieve the victims inside and unfortunately not all of them came out. America is a selfish nation centered on money, greed, and power; everyday life is a constant competition and race to be the top man on the totem pole. While the United States uses this as an advantage to gain world power individual citizens lose the value of decency and etiquette because they are too concerned and selfish to realize the larger problems outside their own small world. So many of the Americans who can be considered as role models spent time serving their country including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Colonel Powell.

To be the ideal American is to be selfless and so loyal to the United States that no sacrifice is too great. Although there are millions of American citizens there are only a handful of people who can be considered honorable Americans. These people are leaders, others respect them, they are loyal to their background and beliefs, and they serve their country in some way. The founding fathers of America set up the Constitution to allow freedom and diversity in the nation and modern Americans carry out these ideas and accommodate them to the changing times. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the New York City fleet have allowed America to be the place it is today. Ideal Americans can be senators, teachers, doctors, or even the "average Joe" strolling down the street.

The common factor between all these people is that they are Americans who are proud to declare that title. They all strive to make this country a better place no matter how big or small their impact is.