What does it mean to be American?

We visited Baruch College in New York City to talk to the students about what their American identity means to them during this election year. What does it mean to you to be an American now? #AmericanIdentity

[Parlez-Vous-Francais]

I’m just here because my English teacher assigned this to me

[BriannyLopez]

Who else is here because they have to do an essay on american culture?

[lemon]

Who else is here because their teacher just assigned this to them ;-;

[sneilinrodriguez]

When you’re not here because of an assignment but because you really don’t know what it means to be American

[TheFinnmacool]

If you struggle with this question and really want to understand, learn why the Founding Fathers did what they did. Learn about monarchies and governments and colonies and the whole affair. Part of being American is grappling with the abstract idea of what it is and why it came to be. If you truly understand this you will have America in your heart and will despise tyrants and love your fellow man. THAT is America in a nutshell. Catering to your own self-interests alone and trying to extract FROM America rather than GIVE to it will leave you forever wondering.

[ivychicken]

Man they’re not actually answering the question. I’m trying to get this for my government class.

[lowacid]

Why my teacher assigned me to write about what it means to be an American

[xxxlostxxxxx]

I'm having an identity crisis now.

[bappo]

I’ve never related more to a comment section before

[maaagnuus]

My teacher sent me this, but i'm happy that she did. It was really interesting to see all of these people talk how they feel.

[ravenone]

To be American is sharing the value of what this country stand behind.
You could be from any back ground, any religious America is not just being "White ' or Black. American is broadly define .
If you share the value of honesty, hard work, fairness, equality, respect, ..etc then I would think you're an American.
We are' free' and have inalienable rights under God

[jamesalafayette]

If you’re on YouTube and openly speaking your mind about how you feel re: the government, then IMHO you’re American AF.

[TheBloominRage]

The thing that are missing is the understanding of what America was founded on and the challenges we have overcome and become better. They would appreciate what they have if they understood the history that grew us to this point. It's easily taken for granted without context....

[hesuteravanesyan]

that guy 1:46 looks kinda like XXXTENTACION except he don't got the hair

[nathangranda]

my art teacher assigned this to me, the art teacher!

[wormzbrains]

Not the white man feeling like a minority…….

[karlos_infamous]

Immigrants and their children will always have a mixed-identity and a phase of confusion.

They cannot let go of their ancestors' culture but they need the culture of the country they immigrated to, to survive.

it's difficult but you have to live with it.

[Interiorcrocodilealigator]

1:56 I feel so bad, because I'm just super dumb when trying to guess ethnicity. I feel like it'd be super dumb if asking "what are you" is the first thing you ask tho.

[fallenhero]

I want to Lear more + Comments. I know it means more to you.

[David_does_it_all]

Wonder who said America was just "White" lol 😂