Dad, .... what's an "American"?

Dad: Well, it's normally defined as a person born in the U.S., but there's a larger definition out there if you wanna' get into it ...
Kid: What do you mean.... "larger definition"? ...
Dad: There is "American" the nationality, ... the birthright, and there's "American" as the idea or ideal of the best place in the world that gives you the best opportunity to succeed at most anything.
Kid: Ideal .... So being an American can be an idea?
Dad: If you ask me? yes. Say you're an immigrant new to this country. If being an "American" means bringing the best from the place you left behind to your new country and leaving the worst of it behind, then in essence, you subscribe to one of the reasons the country was founded by the original settlers.
Kid: Dad, the original settlers were Indians, no?
Dad: Technically we really don't know who the original "Americans" were, and sure, we can go down that anthropological road if you want and spent a lot of time figuring it out. So in essence, yes. Before the Europeans, Asiatics and Mexicans, there were the natives ... and before them the nomadic tribes that crossed the Behring Straight into North America; and before them who knows. But for the sake of defining the modern term "American", maybe we have to stay within the world of the founding of the nation as we know it to be today, OK?
Kid: OK ....
Dad: So if we limit ourselves to that, the original settlers came here to be land-owners, to worship their religious faith freely and without force and to enjoy freedoms they did not have in their own countries. One can say they came here to start fresh because what they left behind was not what they themselves thought to be "ideal". You follow me? ...
Kid: Yeah, ... sorta'.  You're saying that "American" is not just a place where you're born, ... its a goal?
Dad: I think you're getting it. You see, being born here, makes you "American" by birth, but if you're not living your life a certain way, contributing to the country in the best way you think possible, ... then you're not really living up to the ideal of "American", right?
Kid: But Dad, ... everybody has different stuff they think is OK, or things they think are the way they outta' be, ... or maybe they prefer this country be the way it is where they come from ....... or ....
Dad: Whoa! ...... hang on there Kiddo. Those are all great questions and I'm glad you're thinking hard about this. The trick is to keep it simple to yourself and understand a few basic things that are going to happen no matter what.
Kid:   ... like what?
Dad: Population changes, for example. In 40 years or so, Caucasians or whites, will be a minority for the first time ever because other races are procreating at a higher pace. That changes things. Empires change, Kingdoms grow and contract, ... America as you and I have come to know it, will not be the same in 40, 50, ...100 years from now. So what is the makeup of the nation now, may not be the makeup then ....
Kid: But ideals should be the same ..... no?
Dad: Ah ....! Now we're getting to the meat around the bone. Cultures and races change, just like the mix- component of all nations do, ... but with America, there is something that is nearly indestructible that has become common to identity of the nation. Do you know what those things are?
Kid: Uhmmmm... freedom? liberty .......? ..... that we can go anywhere we want? ...
Dad: Those things you mentioned are part of it, yes. The ones I have come to know and take to heart are these: That you can do almost anything you want, if you work hard and are lucky enough to be in the right place and time. That you can contribute to the common culture and add to the cauldron of ideas and history, while maintaining the understanding of how the country was formed. That an immigrant coming here today can possibly turn out to be a better and more productive "American" than some others who are born here and abuse the system. That our system of righting wrongs, while not perfect, is amazing in its ability to correct past failures and injustices.
Kid: Abuse the system?.....
Dad: People that are lazy and don't work hard, and depend on others to live and eat instead of doing everything they possibly can to fend for themselves and bring something to the country, ... or just the small place where they live.
Kid: .... oh .... OK. So do you have a specific idea of what an "ideal" American should be? ....
Dad: [long pause ..... ] Yes, I do. But its my own, and I have no right to impose that on you or on anyone else. What I CAN do is give you reference points so that maybe you can use to compare as you grow up and make up your own mind ...
Kid: So tell me ...
Dad: American, ... a person who understands America the country, takes time and effort to learn the essentials of its history and is aware of both the good and bad that has occurred since the founding of the nation. A person who works, and works diligently to ensure a better future for him and those around him and never abuses the assistance that the system provides for those who have fallen on harder times. A person who honors the land that hosts him or her by learning its language and customs, and then adds to the culture-colors of the country by teaching others about  their native language, food, music and culture. A person who gets an idea and through their own industry and creativity brings that idea to reality, no matter the obstacles. People that do it better, faster and more efficient than others because the depend on themselves first and then look for help from those around them. A person that gets that there is a responsibility to others when living here. That being a rugged and independent individual does not absolve them of being part of the larger fabric of their community. A person that understands the civics of the country, and willingly but carefully cedes certain personal liberties, so that others such as elected officials can make decisions for what will hopefully be the good of the many. That you help those that truly cannot help themselves, and are charitable to those that are not wired to success such as they are. A person who celebrates the goodness they see, and points out the injustices around them, even if doing so affects them negatively. An ideal American lives by their preferred and reasonable social code of conduct, but never chastises and demagogues others due to things they see as mysterious to their understanding. To me, the idea of being an American, is the idea of being a near perfect citizen. That's why, -in my opinion-, you don't have to be born here, ... or even be here, ... to have the American spirit. That's why more people want to come in, ... than there are who want to leave. Because in spite of all the bad things that we still have to work on, and fears of having such freedoms, .... this country, this idea of nation, is the best experiment in self-government the world has ever seen.
Kid: .............. jeez, ..... that's a lot of stuff to remember ......
Dad: Yeah ... I know. That's why most people just take the road less traveled and settle for the "born here" definition. The other definition is much harder to live up to .... no?
Kid: Yeah, I get that..... You once told me that nothing worth having should ever come easy .........
Dad: .... yes?...
Kid: So is living up to the ideal of "American" worth having? ...
Dad: .....  Kiddo', you can't help where you are born, .... you just are. But becoming an ideal "American"? Now THAT is truly a choice, ... your choice.
Kid: ............... Can I get some money to buy the new X-Box game I told you about? ......
Dad: .............. Not a good choice....