There is a very big difference between being an American and a citizen of any other nation
We often hear that Americans are special. We may even say that ourselves. But what does that mean? Does it mean that we have the world’s largest economy? Does it mean that we have a very powerful military? Does it mean that our dollar is the world’s premier reserve currency? Do we even know what that is? I doubt that one person in a hundred can tell you.
Being born in America does not make us special. I imagine that most people are proud of their countries and feel special in some way. But that is somewhat different, I’m sure, from what Americans mean by being special. So what is it?
I posit that America is a special country, because its population is not homogenous like Japan’s, China, Korea, France, England, Germany, etc. Yes, those countries have legitimate citizens who are not ethnic Japanese, Chinese, etc. But America is different. America is a nation of immigrants. There is no ethnic component. In fact anyone can become an American. The huge difference is that one must shed any allegiance to “the old country”. I posit that no real American accepts a hyphenated designation. No real American should allow himself to be identified as a German-America, a Jewish-American, an African-American, a Chinese-American, or any other such designation, because it would be embracing a lie.
Yes, it must be difficult for some Americans to view the homeland of their ancestors as not deserving some share of their loyalty. But a real American needs to be completely divorced from such feelings, especially when other nations wish us to intervene to some extent in their wars. The disagreements that the lands of our ancestors have with others really are none of our business. Other nations try to enlist us in supporting them militarily or financially in their disputes. Now, one may be firmly convinced that the land of their ancestors deserves our protection or at least some kind of military assistance to protect them from hostile neighbors. But to do so, and especially on a regular basis, is fundamentally antithetical to being an American.
Our ancestors came here in order to escape the seemingly never-ending disputes and wars in the old country. Let us not betray them. To do so would merely transport the battleground from foreign shores to America itself. This would be a betrayal of our ancestors and the end of what really makes America and Americans truly special.
© Patrick Barron 2026 Website
