Are you a Genuine American?

[kwakun 23]

Following the advice of a moderator and with remorse for derailing a member's thread, I have decided to start this topic. A VJ member stated the following:

"Yes, because all I need to become a "genuine" American is an oath, right.

I disagree - immigrants will never ever be fully integrated, certainly never be as American as people born and raised here. Who claims they are is either a liar, a very very superficial person, or severely deluded. For the average immigrant, there will always be just one real home - why do you think so many decide to get buried in their initial countries?"

In response to my post:

"Anyone who solemnly took the oath of allegiance becomes a genuine american...but you wouldn't know that now, would you?

If you looked around, you'll very clearly see that the identity, lives, culture and language of immigrants typically follow them to their adopted country (USA) and that doesn't make them any less "genuine" than any other american...even your spouse".

For those who want more context, here is the original thread that we were in the process of derailing: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/433831-buying-a-house-as-a-conditional-resident/

What is your own definition of a Genuine American?

Edited June 4, 2013 by kwakun

[Darnell 8,478]

What is your own definition of a Genuine American?

in no particular order, but all must be ticked...

1. finish a masters degree

2. own a small business

that's it, really.

[JohnR! 5,495]

What is your own definition of a Genuine American?

You can't define that in a general way, across the board, for the very definition you seek is subjective.

It would be as ludicrous to presume to define what an American is as much as it would be to try and define otherwise.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

lol.. people take up US Citizenship for various reasons, like using US passport to go to other countries without hassle of visas, using US Citizenship as a jumping board to other developed countries, to avoid paying estate tax... etc

People could take up US Citizenship, but in their heart, they still long for their home country.

Do you think the Boston marathon Bombers are "Genuine Americans", since they are naturalized US citizens???

I would have applied for US citizenship immediately, if my home country allows dual citizenship.

Then how about those people with multiple countries citizenship?

How can they be Genuine Americans but at the same time hold many countries identities?

Edited June 4, 2013 by Merrytooth

[Darnell 8,478]

ya, i think is better to hold Singapura Citizenship and 'just a green card' in the USA, really.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

I didn't vote, because for me it is mostly 1 and 3, with some caveats. For me, being "genuine" depends mostly on how you act and feel, though I would have difficulty seeing someone who is not a citizen as genuine. I am a US citizen now, but I wouldn't call myself a "genuine American" because they way I write, the foods I prepare, the way I feel about where "home" is makes me still a European.

Edited June 4, 2013 by Penguin_ie

[Caryh 5,206]

I wonder what opinion Native Americans would have on the idea of who is a Genuine American?

[LucidSofia 59]

I was not born in America, nor have I ever lived there. I did, however, attend american schools up until college, I only watch American TV, read American books, listen to American music, married an American, LOVE American humor... I even have an American accent. I believe I am an American at heart.. without having even lived in the country.. how crazy is that? I believe American citizenship is really all that would be left for me to become a "genuine American" (that, and actually having lived there, which will be soon).

Extra information: I have never lived in a single city for longer than 3.5 years (the longest being Stockholm.. and I don't consider myself a genuine Swede).. basically I don't have a "home".

Edited June 4, 2013 by LucidSofia

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Do you think the Boston marathon Bombers are "Genuine Americans", since they are naturalized US citizens???

Only the younger brother was a naturalized US citizen. The older brother was not. But that aside, ####### are you suggesting with that question? Was Timothy McVeigh a genuine American?

[Merrytooth 5,748]

I am responding to OP's post:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/433831-buying-a-house-as-a-conditional-resident/?p=6271484

OP seems to imply that by taking the OATH during US Citizenship ==> becomes a genuine american.

But people could take up US Citizenship for various reasons, not necessary to pledge loyalty, allegiance to this country.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I am responding to OP's post:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/433831-buying-a-house-as-a-conditional-resident/?p=6271484

OP seems to imply that by taking the OATH during US Citizenship ==> becomes a genuine american.

But people could take up US Citizenship for various reasons, not necessary to pledge loyalty, allegiance to this country.

People could be born and raised here and lack loyalty and allegiance to this country all the same growing up to become mass murderers snuffing out hundreds of American men, women and children at once. So I ask again, would Timothy McVeigh be considered a genuine American? How about David Koresh? Would he be a genuine American?

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

I don't know if being born and raised here makes you more of a genuine american than being an immigrant when this is a mostly a nation built on and made up of immigrants. That's the beauty of America. It's one great big melting pot. If you're from a foreign country and you live here independently then you'd be defined as an expat, but if you decided to do immigration to America I think that makes you a genuine american whether you're first generation, second generation, third generation or thirteenth generation American regardless of the reasons for your immigration to America.

Edited June 5, 2013 by Dr. A ♥ O

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I don't know if being born and raised here makes you more of a genuine american than being an immigrant when this is a mostly a nation built on and made up of immigrants. That's the beauty of America. It's one great big melting pot. If you're from a foreign country and you live here independently then you'd be defined as an expat, but if you decided to do immigration to America I think that makes you a genuine american whether you're first generation, second generation, third generation or thirteenth generation American regardless of the reasons for your immigration to America.

Now we're getting somewhere. How else could my daughter ever be a genuine American seeing that she has two immigrant parents one of whom wasn't even a US citizen yet when she was born? She's growing up with exposure to three different cultures and three different languages. She identifies with all of them but knows and insists that while daddy is from Germany and mommy is from Ethiopia, she herself is from America. And yet, she still feels right at home whenever we're in Germany or Ethiopia, too. Does that make her less American than other kids that she now goes to school with?

[AmyWrites 593]

I think naturalized people, might be in a way, more American. They had a choice, they could've kept the green card, their citizenship, certainly for some countries that don't recognize dual citizenship it's just easier to have a green card. But no, unlike us who were born here and had no say on the matter, they took an oath that promises loyalty to our country and decided to become Americans.

[Calypso 464]

I don't know why this topic exists. You might as well have asked what a genuine taco is.