Can an immigrant merge fully into american culture and celebrate Americas achivement as its own country?
Posted by sggfd1213@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 666 comments
I'm an indian, after moving to America and assimilating there
can I celebrate and call America my country with pride
like whenever America achives something be proud and celebrate like i used to do in motherland?
I'm asking this because I've seen many Americans on twitter trying to create a boundary wall between immigrants and white american
disgracing them by saying "You'll never be American"
MurphyRedBeard@reddit
Hell yeah! You’re paying into the achievement process with your taxes, so you have real investment there. Everything outside of professional or Olympic sports requires local, state, and federal taxes. Moon mission? You helped pay for that. Dope new park gets built in your town, you’re a shareholder.
eeyoreSilver@reddit
Absolutely! In fact, that's what most Americans want immigrants to do: come to America, become American. Almost all of us came from somewhere else at some point. Every family has its own cultural traditions from where they originated, so it's not like we want you to forget your roots. We would love for all immigrants to come in and graft some USA into your identity.
It's the ones who come and refuse to melt in or assimilate that cause most of the immigrant angst that you see and hear about. And the ones who skipped the line and came illegally.
Bland_OldMan@reddit
Twitter is a digital Nazi rally at this point. There is nothing of value there or on Facebook, so you're better off not using it.
And yes, you can certainly merge fully into American culture. That's the beauty of moving here, you can choose what parts of your previous country's culture you want to carry forward (or not) here.
PaintingLegal7672@reddit
Yes. Thats exactly what I do. I wasn’t born here but my passport says my nationality is American and I’ve served in two different branches of the US armed forces.
JoeMorgue@reddit
I keep telling people this in this subreddit to the point I’m just going to start cutting and pasting it.
Other countries use the word "Culture" to mean some kind of unwritten but super important set of rules that dictate everything you do; what food you eat, how you prepare it, how you eat it, what you wear, how you act, how you present, whether you raise your goddamn pinkie or not while dancing the Polka during the Winter Solstice that A) everyone follows and B) everyone notices if you don't follow and it often seems like it just boggles your fucking minds that WE JUST DON'T HAVE THAT HERE.
We have dozens of major cultures and countless small ones and while I'm not going to insult anyone's intelligence by pretending we handle it particularly well all the time I am more and more thinking we handle it better BY ACTUALLY HAVING MULTIPLE CULTURES than other countries where if anyone steps out of line and breaks the spaghetti in half or puts the rutabagas in the stew before the onions or wears a tweed jacket after St. Swiven's Day ya'll do backflips down the road in utter confusion.
In America if someone sits down using chopsticks next to someone using a fork and knife... NOBODY CARES. It's not weird, it's not unusual, we barely notice. We don't need everyone to perform a bunch of arbitrary acts the same to have a sense of country and I'm so sorry that ya'll don't understand that.
All of these "Do you eat our food? Do you wear our clothes? Do you watch our entertainment? Do you hang a gourd stuffed with spearmint and Swedish Fish over your hearth and tell the story of One Legged Pete on Christmas Eve like we do in MAH CULTURE?" questions aren't really the question they are asking. They are asking us, begging us to make them understand how we're not a monolithic Ethno-state where the culture and the country aren't a 1:1 match.
challengeseniorz@reddit
That's really interesting. I didn't realize other places were like that. I mean I'm in the Bible belt with pink hair. I may get a comment here or there but they love me even though they don't get it. Same with my music etc. I can't imagine us all having to be the same about so much stuff that's super odd to me.
EffectiveVarious8095@reddit
Gather 'round the hearth kids as we retell the story of ol' One Legged Pete. But first, enjoy the aroma of the gourd stuffed with spearment and sweedish fish.
That there was funny.
Illustrious-Shirt569@reddit
So true. Heck, we don’t even have consistent “culture” within our small city or group of friends or our family or even our household.
MrTeeWrecks@reddit
Twitter has become a cesspool of ultra-right wing bigot takes. The algorithm literally favors it. People also say hateful shit for attention & to boost their audience/engagement by knowing this.
If you live in the US, call it your home, & intend to keep it that way: you’re an American.
You’ve got every right to show pride in your new homeland.
The New Colossus 🗽 isn’t just a sonnet to me it’s a sacred ideal we should always strive to follow.
No_Importance_750@reddit
Ofc! The US is a country built off immigrants. If you move to the US and claim US citizenship, you are American, as American as any born American. Don’t listen to the twitter MAGAtards.
SusanLFlores@reddit
Absolutely! Most immigrants I know who came here as adults try their best to assimilate.
NefariousAntiomorph@reddit
You immigrated here and joined in the culture. Far as this white hillbilly is concerned you are an American now. Celebrate with us and share your stories as well.
WideGlideReddit@reddit
America now your country. Remember we’re a country of immigrants, native Americans and the dependents of the formally enslaved. You have as much right to celebrate as anyone else here.
Fun-Personality-8008@reddit
Yes! That's what we're all about. Welcome aboard
Ill_Industry6452@reddit
Most Americans are descendants of immigrants. I think it’s great you want to assimilate and celebrate our country.
tetrasodium@reddit
Yea 100% it's normal and encouraged. Probably a term like naturalization or cultural integration that covers it but I dunno what it would be
PrestigiousSmile4098@reddit
WELCOME! We are happy to have you here!
A large number of us (Americans) are descended from people just like you, who came to this country and began to call it their home. Working, building families, building businesses, fighting for our freedoms. We hope you will do the same and we look forward to what you bring with you.
Lupiefighter@reddit
Twitter has turned into an echo chamber that isn’t representative of much of the country. Many Americans see America as a melting pot and would love to count you as a fellow countryman if you would care to be one.
BelleMakaiHawaii@reddit
I don’t see why not
Grungemaster@reddit
Yes. It’s encouraged even.
sggfd1213@reddit (OP)
Mostly they are right wingers
Who try their best to be racist towards immigrants
Are Americans different than them in real life?
OK_Stop_Already@reddit
Absolutely. People who come here always say they're surprised how friendly Americans are in real life compared to what they've seen in media.
Spirited_Ingenuity89@reddit
Maybe because social media isn’t real life.
OK_Stop_Already@reddit
thanks that's crazy, cause I wasn't saying it was
Spirited_Ingenuity89@reddit
Clearly the people expecting regular people IRL to be like social media are, though, since their social-media-based expectations were subverted.
OK_Stop_Already@reddit
Tell them that.
MiddlePop4953@reddit
It's far more common to find an American who is happy you're happy to be here than it is to find someone who's pissed off about it, in my personal experience. It's not everyone, there's assholes everywhere, but they aren't as big of a majority as they are a loud minority.
MaddyKet@reddit
Yes, but it will also vary depending on what part of the country you settle in. You would get a much better reception in the North vs the Deep South, for example.
holymacaroley@reddit
Even in the South, bigger city versus small town/rural is vastly different.
DangerousHour2094@reddit
While there has always been conversation (and coercion) about who is and isn’t “white” and the power dynamics that creates, the people you see on Twitter and these white nationalists are people you really should ignore.
Day to day? Most people do not care and will not bother you. In the right places you’ll find communities that celebrate your culture among others, or a community of your culture you can find warmth in. Ignore the bigots
Ayla1313@reddit
Yes. Most people. Even conservatives; are very happy when immigrants assimilate and enjoy our culture and holidays and have pride for the country.
LimeMargarita@reddit
Even in the deepest red parts of Texas, most people embrace Hispanic culture and similarly want to share their culture. It didn't realize how much the different cultures got along until I moved to California. We do in California too, but not as completely as Texans.
The most racists of people will always retreat behind a screen and troll us. They don't represent most people. Politicians are an embarrassment, and also don't represent us.
LaLaLandLiving@reddit
To be fair, the border crossed us not the other way round, so Hispanic culture IS Texan culture. If the anglos don’t embrace that, they should find another state. Growing up Tejana, this has always been my experience. Same is true for California (and New Mexico and Arizona).
AladeenModaFuqa@reddit
100%, go to a country dive bar around me in TN, they’re more than happy to share a drink with anyone who takes pride in American culture. The internet is toxic and skews us as a people.
Leelze@reddit
Yes, most Americans will be different in real life. And honestly, even most of the racists online won't be racist to your face. They're generally too cowardly for that.
Most Americans don't judge you for where you were born, they judge you for how you act. As long as you're willing to learn and to adapt to the American way of life, you'll find you'll fit right in.
Cudi_buddy@reddit
Yea. Especially if you immigrate to a town or city, which is common. They are more liberal dominated, and even the right wing weirdos blend in more in real life than Internet.
MyUsername2459@reddit
Very, very different.
Twitter is NOT even remotely a reflection of actual America. Social media as a whole isn't a good reflection of reality.
Twitter is little more than a right-wing propaganda platform filled with bots at this point.
In the actual United States, actual physical people in the real world are much more accepting of immigration and the contributions immigrants make to our society.
dangleicious13@reddit
Many are. Many aren't.
Crazy_Ad2662@reddit
I'm just here cuz I want to see a German immigrant with a thick German accent yelling at another German, " WE KICKED YOUR ASS IN WWII!!"
hx87@reddit
If you travel around the Midwest you'll sometimes hear about Imperial German veterans who immigrated to the US in the 1920s. Since they were mostly too old to fight the second time around, they mostly performed home front duty like guarding POW camps, so you'd have this weird situation where Imperial Germans were guarding Nazi German prisoners.
Screaming_Agony@reddit
It’s similar to negative reviews. People who are pleased with things generally don’t go out of their way to leave reviews, unlike people who are displeased. Your average person isn’t online ranting about how ok they are with immigrants. So you only see the unhappy(and stupid) folks posting. Don’t let the loud minority make you feel unwelcome. They don’t speak for the vast majority of us.
FearDaTusk@reddit
Get off the Internet 😑
As a non-white (which personally doesn't matter to myself or anyone really but related to your concern) the most American thing is to be your own person.
You do you and you'll find there are plenty of folks out there just living their best lives... and this should be you too 👍
MrVacuous@reddit
Most extreme right wing people you might in real life love people who come legally and assimilate. 95% of the backlash against immigration is specifically directed at illegal immigration and another 95% online of what isn’t is bots
igwaltney3@reddit
Most online right wing trolls are not representative of right wingers in real life. Just like a large majority of oeft leaning folks aren't represented by the left leaning trolls online.
Most Americans want a stable job that pays the bills and gives them the ability to raise their family and live their lives in peace and harmony. Also at this point I think most Americans would be happy to see the majority of those in government get replaced, we just don't agree on who to replace them with or what policies to enact since we tend to be a bit of a fractious lot wjo view arguing (sports, politics, religion, doesn't matter) as a national past time.
Robbylution@reddit
Dead Internet Theory, which used to be a big joke and now kinda isn't, says the vast majority of right wing trolls are bots.
joanfiggins@reddit
That's the vocal minority. People are fearless behind keyboards. In real life they arent nearly as outspoken, but if they are, there are usually people around to stop them.
SisyphusRocks7@reddit
The majority of Republicans are pretty supportive of Indian descended Americans, as long as they are citizens or legal residents. Lots of Sikhs and Hindus from the Indian subcontinent are active in the Republican Party at the state and local level, and have been for decades. There are lots of shared social and economic views among many Indian-Americans and Republicans, too. Lots of small business owners, etc.
There are Muslim-specific and illegal immigrant specific views of some Republicans that might prompt different reactions if OP were in either group.
IthurielSpear@reddit
Those are bots. It’s been shown in studies that the hateful rhetoric you’re seeing comes from foreign countries outside the US
Duque_de_Osuna@reddit
Here’s the thing about right wingers. A lot of them are a**holes. That being said, I would not worry too much of their opinion. If you have been here long enough to feel American/identify with the country, then of course you can be proud of it. If you are a citizen, then this is your country now.
wokaflame@reddit
Most Americans I’ve met are intensely welcoming. I am an immigrant too. Yes, there are problems and it’s not perfect. There are people who will always make you feel unwelcomed or will hate you.
Don’t believe the internet. Most Americans are very curious about other cultures, they want to share theirs, and they really really get defensive about their food and will slam as much as they can down your throat.
Except Rhode Island people. There’s something weird over there. But they honestly have a problem with everyone outside of Rhode Island.
KYReptile@reddit
Yep. And what the magats don't understand, is that we are all immigrants - some only a generation or two back (me for one). Even Native Americans, who were here first, are thought to have crossed the land bridge from Asia. Those magats are immigrants, or descendants of immigrants.
Prize_Jicama2905@reddit
I think that people being awful online might not even be humans...I think a lot of it is bots. People everywhere are usually nice, even if the Internet makes it seem like that's not true. There will always be outliers but they're not the majority
Trialbyfuego@reddit
Yes. Most Americans don't care. Even the ones that do care and are racist are really only like that online because they feel safe doing it. They wouldn't do it in real life with lots of people watching.
The most American thing you can do is be an immigrant and build a life here. Once you do that, you're an American. Even if you don't have your citizenship, you're basically an American.
Also, so many Americans have accents or were immigrants or their parents were immigrants and so Americans are used to meeting people who have cultural ties to other countries. The other country you have ties to is part of your American identity. We ask each other often where our families were originally from as part of getting to know each other and we share culture like food, music, holidays, etc.
awfulmcnofilter@reddit
I even live in the American deep south and theres a large Indian and east Asian population here. Even the racist people don't seem to apply the same racism to Indian people, but it is also possible they're not doing it in front of me.
Grungemaster@reddit
Most Americans in real life are normal, friendly people. The idiots acting otherwise just get way more attention.
youngpathfinder@reddit
“Don’t…Twitter…”
I’d start there.
MechanicalGodzilla@reddit
Back in the Twitter early days, my work asked me to get an account and post on it. I had it for like 3 days before I deleted the account and never looked back. Every other post was just an ad for something.
UDK450@reddit
Hell, I choose to celebrate 4th of July every year by getting takeout from an ethnic restaurant, just to further celebrate the cultural melting pot that we are!
amboomernotkaren@reddit
As an American, we now eat dinner on Christmas and Easter at a Chinese restaurant. That’s tradition.
BaseClean@reddit
Jews eat Chinese on Xmas (but obviously for a different reason). But yes it's a tradition of ours too.
TazDingo278@reddit
It's not only Twitter tho. I play games, and there are voice chat in games. As a foreigner, whose first language is not English, so I do have an accent, sometimes I get people saying "Get out of my country". Not often, but happened more than once. It suggests that, it's not just a twitter problem, it's really the mentality of some people. The funny thing is, in most of the games, America and Canada shares the same server, so dude didn't even know if I was in Canada or America and said that. Lmao.
LordDeathDark@reddit
"Every day, all around the world, Americans are born. Some just haven't made their way home yet."
I probably didn't get the quote quite right, but the sentiment is there.
PacSan300@reddit
It was originally on this sub, even.
ViciousOtter1@reddit
Agreed, think of it like marrying into a family. At some point you feel connected and it becomes your history too. Not to mention that many naturalized citizens know our history better.
Acceptable-Peace-69@reddit
Not according to the president of the united states.
In July 2019, then-President Donald Trump made headlines by telling four Democratic congresswomen of color—Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and Rep. Ayanna Pressley—to "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came". He was not talking about their home states.
Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Pressley were all born in the United States. Omar, a Somalian refugee, immigrated to the U.S. with her family in the early 1990s.
It’s true that most will accept someone immigrating with open arms, However, a very large and vocal subset will not.
RagingKERES@reddit
We are not talking about that asshole. I've lived here my entire life. He is an excuse to do terrible things. We as a people are better than that.
Acceptable-Peace-69@reddit
He was elected twice. The second time was after this statement and many others like it and worse. This is exactly who “we” are.
ImpatientMaker@reddit
We are a land of Imagrants.
Alarming-Tooth5625@reddit
Agree with this ^ There are plenty of us who are happy you’re here.
Dermengenan@reddit
About half of the voter base, to be exact. Most people you meet won't make any racist comments to you, but a hell of a lot of them will sure be thinking it!
yourlittlebirdie@reddit
Don’t listen to anyone on Twitter about anything.
Solid advice.
julnyes@reddit
"create a boundary wall between immigrants and white american"
where does that leave us non-white Americans? You see the logical failing in that argument? The people putting that forward are garbage and spewing racist nonsense. Don't give them any credit.
On_my_last_spoon@reddit
Twitter is just all Nazis now. Don’t listen to them.
You’re an American now. You get all the things that go with it!
sovietsatan666@reddit
I'm really sorry you encountered those shitty people online. Of course it can be your country! You don't even need to assimilate. If you're a citizen or PR or just even live here and want to stay long term, it's your country too- what matters most is that you want to be here. And if that's true, celebrating our success and criticizing/ working to improve our failures makes you one of us.
dlobnieRnaD@reddit
I’m a firm believer that if you’re here and happy to be, you’re a goddamn AMERICAN. Be proud patriot.
Taftimus@reddit
Don’t listen to the racist dipshits on Twitter, you can absolutely call America your own and celebrate alongside us.
Pitiful_Opinion_9331@reddit
My parents and my entire family did and still do. Once we came to the US we embraced it as our own, culture and all.
Emperor_High_Ground@reddit
One of the biggest issues we have right now is communities excluding themselves from American culture; integration is what makes immigration work! Some of the proudest and most patriotic Americans I've met have been immigrants who fully embrace their new home
sgtm7@reddit
Yes.
hypnoticbacon28@reddit
Twitter is a cesspool of people looking for excuses to be angry.
Anyone from anywhere can come here and be one of us. Being American isn’t a matter of where you were born. It’s un-American to insist otherwise.
Not_An_Isopod@reddit
Do whatever the heck you want. And screw those people who say dumb shit like that. They’re unamerican bastards.
awkwardchip_munk@reddit
I forgot Twitter was still a thing
At the same time, it makes my heart sing to know we’re still calling it Twitter
MeAnMyMitsi@reddit
Listen, bro, I would be proud to call any person that has the courage to make themselves vulnerable to a brand new country. I would be proud to call anyone of those persons, my fellow Americans. Unfortunately America has been playing this balancing act of every 4 to 8 years the country flip-flops back-and-forth from the two party, political sphere liberal versus conservative, and we’ve been running on that platform for damn near almost the beginning however, with this new trend of populist leaders are starting to emerge, and since the two party system is so ingrained in our democracy as a status quo almost these populist leaders generally decide to pick you know one of the parties to run on if they ever actually think they have a chance of being elected. But you will experience possibly some racism for sure. I work in the Hotel industry and lot of my colleagues are south Asians so I understand and I should say immigrated south Asians. Long story short if I’m standing behind the front desk at a hotel, usually a hotel has two sides to the front desk me being a Caucasian and my good friend right next to me South Asian, usually if a certain demographic of American comes in I can almost always expect them to come to my side however, I got so sick of this blatant racism that I started telling my guests I was the one being trained and the south Asian that was standing next to me was my superior because I just can’t stand when people consciously choose to make snap judgments based on a person’s skin color and. Our entire country is a country of immigrants that’s our whole thing right so I feel like there are a sector of Americans out there on the far right that are trying to rewrite history as this white American ideology of Christian nationalism. And the problem is is there’s a lot of sick people out there that will use racist ideologies to create sycophant to drive their point and their agenda because the problem with the far right today is that they’ve been playing the Long game for a long time now anyway sorry about how long this comment God but I just wanted to assure you that there’s plenty of good Americans out there that are the Anglo-Saxon white protestants and they don’t see themselves above anybody else they’re good people.
Alternative-Row812@reddit
You can. Absolutely.
-TheDyingMeme6-@reddit
Yeeaaaahhhhh twitters' a cesspool of idiocy at the best of times with the most boring, banal topics
With a topic such as immigrants? Yeah no, stay faaarrrrr away from that radioactive hellhole
-a former twitter user
battleangel1999@reddit
Well you have to remember that they don't get to decide who is and who isn't American. I've found that many immigrants place white people on top of the totem pole but that's completely unnecessary. There's a reason that you/the ppl online are specifying white when American has never been a fully white country. If you see yourself as American then you are. Many of them are descendants of recent immigrants themselves. I myself and descended from enslaved people who at one point weren't even counted as a whole person. Doesn't make me less American.
SideEmbarrassed1611@reddit
That's what all the others did. My great grandparents were German. I have zero clue what German culture or language is and am very American.
Comfortable_Pie_8569@reddit
Anyone can be an American. It's our whole thing. You get double points for wanting to say nice things - those are rare these days.
SpiritedLoquat172@reddit
Yes, my parents immigrated here and love the country. We still have pride in our ethnic background but we are also proud to be Americans.
WatchThatTime@reddit
Yes.
pack_merrr@reddit
I would say yes, and I would also say I'm sure a lot of people trying to create that wall you're describing today had ancestors who were on the other side of it. That's always been a part of American culture and civics as it exists, and I think it would take a lot to change that. Trumpism is obviously something resisting that idea and trying to change it to a degree, but like I said you have always had people doing that in the past as well too. It's always been a push and pull between assimilation and naitivism.
harx1@reddit
Absolutely. That’s the American ideal, even if individuals may fail at it.
The12th_secret_spice@reddit
Fuck them. Those people ain’t American in my book.
Welcome aboard the USA party. Celebrate our wins and help us be a better country (i.e. vote in every election you can…assuming you can).
Bonus points if you share successful Indian-American success stories. I love hearing about whatever a bad ass thing a fellow American did…we just don’t do a great job of honoring minority success.
certifiablegeek@reddit
As a native, commonly referred to as an Indian here, if the wasicu can celebrate, you can too! I find it hypocritical that a bunch descendants of people that immigrated for opportunity here would gate keep other immigrants beginning their families journey as citizens of the United States. Just remember, just about every holiday is celebrated with a mattress sale, car sale and lots of beer. And Toyotathon seems to be its own holiday! 🤣 Also, the United States commemorate the founding fathers and presidents with excellent deals on mattresses. You will, however, not be able to use the 10-year warranty as the company will change names and be under New Management in 2 years or less. Same employees though.
moccasinsfan@reddit
Absolutely.
It isn't hard. Try to assimilate. Historically some cultures have actively tried to assimilate while others fight to remain distict.
Guess which ones fair better.
And it isn't racial.
amcjkelly@reddit
I have never seen or heard anyone say that any immigrant can't be an American.
I think the issue is more where you are hanging out on Twitter.
ElefanteAmor@reddit
Whoever tells you that it isn’t okay might be a little confused. Celebrate what you want!
TeebsRiver@reddit
Everyone in the US is an immigrant, except Native Americans. They would be the only people who could credibly say you dont belong here. Even I, a direct descendant of the first Pilgrim born on the Mayflower when it was anchored off Massachusetts, cannot say I belong here any more than you, born in India. If you live in the US, contribute to the economy and culture, you are American.
ab7af@reddit
With this kind of logic, Native Americans are also immigrants, since they arrived here from Asia.
TeebsRiver@reddit
So where do we cut it off? 13000 years? 300 years? 3 years? The point is that the US has been built by people from all over, as opposed to a country like India or China which has historically had a much more stable endemic population.
ab7af@reddit
Well, I'm just brainstorming here, but (assuming everyone dies of old age), how many generations would it take until a child is born whose living ancestors were also all born in America, such that the memory of the immigration event is no longer an direct memory, but can only be conveyed by repeating a story which was told to them?
It seems to me that would be the point at which something crucial has changed which makes the person's experience no longer sensibly describable as an immigrant experience.
TeebsRiver@reddit
I like how you are thinking. But add in this: There is now scientific evidence that shows that trauma experienced by people can be inherited GENETICALLY by the offspring. So while oral history can be an effective way to transmit culture, apparently it is also genetic. I think, though, that typically nowadays, three generations would have to pass before the immigrant story is no longer "live" history. But really, I don't think it has to be "live" history for the reason I stated above and because oral history is very effective. And this isn't the point, immigrants have their stories and they help drive the dynamic qualities that make immigrants valuable to our nation. https://news.yale.edu/2025/03/06/violent-experiences-alter-genome-ways-persist-generations
Cache-Cow@reddit
Yes of course. America is a country of immigrants. We’re happy you’re here.
hemibearcuda@reddit
That is exactly how our country was built and founded.
Tricky421@reddit
Absolutely. I would love to see more immigrants do that.
No-Handle-66@reddit
Yes. This is the way!
ShinyAppleScoop@reddit
Yes, but it's a bad time to immigrate here if you want to be proud of the US.
Exact_Green2061@reddit
As a non-American I think there is a gap between 1st generation immigrants and other Americans when it comes to politics. This is what makes the US less welcoming to immigrants than other Western countries.
First, only natural born Americans can become President, immigrant cannot.
This filters its way into other political positions. Compared to Canada, there are fewer 1st generation immigrant politicians relative to the population, and most of them are 1.5 generation immigrants, meaning they came to the US before puberty and as a result have an American accent.
Sparkle_Rott@reddit
We are almost all from immigrant families except Native Americans. Some folks seem to forget where they came from here in Amurica. Damn shame it is too.
ab7af@reddit
Native Americans are also from immigrant families; they arrived from Asia.
Sparkle_Rott@reddit
Well technically all people aren’t native to anywhere except Africa. But I give a few thousand years of occupation a “from here” pass 🙂
ab7af@reddit
Why would a few thousand years qualify but a few hundred wouldn't?
Sparkle_Rott@reddit
Because I remember my immigrant relatives by name and the town they came from 3 generations out.
Many Americans say things like “I’m Irish/Italian/Polish/Swedish/Norwegian/German American”. We remember our relatives story of struggling when they got here. The prejudices and hard work. Just like modern generations coming here.
People seem to conveniently forget how hated the Irish were. There was a mostly Irish immigrant neighborhood in my city that was so dangerous and violent that even the polio wouldn’t go there (late 19th/early 20th century).
I remember my mother-in-law talking about how dirty and thieving the Irish children were and how they roamed the streets of DC looking for food that may have fallen from transport carts.
ab7af@reddit
Three generations is far less than a few hundred years, though.
By the time I was born, no one in my family had living memory of immigration. All of my ancestors arrived no later than the 1800s.
Sure, but try talking to e.g. German Germans about this, and they will be very clear that German Americans are not German, and are not "from Germany."
If we aren't from there, then we must be from here. And that's how I answer when someone asks where I'm from; I don't try to tell them that I'm from some German town but I don't know which; I tell them which part of America I'm from.
Some of my ancestors were from Germany. I am from America.
Sparkle_Rott@reddit
Then the Hispanic communities that these supposed “Americans” are targeting are just Americans like you and I - the same disliked people who came to America whether legally or illegally in the 1800s.
When I was growing up WOPs (Italians) would stab and rob you; Polloks (Polish) were stupid; Chincs (Chinese) would try to run a scam; Krouts (Germans) were only loyal to the fatherland; Irish were drunk, thieving brawlers.
And yet these very people who became Americans who were also the “problem” in America back in the day now disparage beaners, towel heads, and sand feefers.
They have forgotten how much their relatives were disliked and looked down on just like the people they find unworthy of joining our country.
ab7af@reddit
How are illegal immigrants instantaneously Americans as soon as they cross the border?
Capable-Pressure1047@reddit
My immigrant great grandmother used to say, " We didn't come to America to be Italians, we came to be Americans." That attitude and belief carried many of them through some very harsh discrimination. The color of their skin wasn't the issue, it was their religion and language and culture. People who have hate in their hearts and souls will always find something to hate. You came here to be an American.
ialwaystealpens@reddit
My Italian grandparents came here to become Americans as well. They assimilated entirely and while they kept a lot of the Italian culture and traditions, they also picked up a lot of American culture and traditions as well. My aunts and uncles that were born when they fully assimilated have Americanized names as well. About the only thing that didn’t change was our obviously Italian last name. I didn’t learn until I got much older than some people came to America and a Americanized their last names.
mykepagan@reddit
All. of my grandparents were born in Italy, and they felt the same. My only regret is that they spoke english exclusively around us grandkids so I’ve had to learn Italian as an adult for visiting the old country.
RockItGuyDC@reddit
Same story for my Italian grandparents. My father and aunt didn't speak a word of Italian, despite their parents being immigrants. It's because my father and his sister were taught from the beginning that they are were American, not Italian.
ZestycloseAd5918@reddit
Her religion?
Capable-Pressure1047@reddit
Absolutely. Strong anti-Catholic sentiment and rhetoric. The Klan was active in Northern states for that reason.
WillThereBeSnacks13@reddit
My grandma was the same way. While I miss her dearly, I am sometimes oddly thankful she has alzheimer's in her final years and thus missed the wave of anti-immigrant sentiment that is ruining the soul of this country. She would have hated that. She thought everyone deserves the same chances she had to build a life here.
stopsallover@reddit
About when was she born?
Capable-Pressure1047@reddit
What does it matter?
stopsallover@reddit
Just curious about her age in relation to the formation of Italy.
Capable-Pressure1047@reddit
She emigrated in 1909 or 1910 I believe, at 18.
Spare_Flamingo8605@reddit
Absolutely! That's what this country is about. Don't worry about the racists. They are losers
TwinkleTubs@reddit
America is a melting pot. You're welcome to celebrate all our holidays. I don't care where you're from, everyone is invited to my holiday table.
mykepagan@reddit
One of my best friends is Indian (and probably reading this reply), and the motorcycle group I ride with gave him his motorcycle nickname: TMAG - ”The Most American Guy”. So yes,most people are happy when immigrants celebrate American stuff as their own.
Of course there are exceptions… for the fringe idiots (MAGAs).
Immigrants celebrating American things is considered good and normal. Even the idiot-adjacent people I know would say they LIKE the immigrants who embrace being American (as opposed to immigrants who speak their native language, which seems to be the thing that triggers the MAGA types).
CalyxTeren@reddit
Of course you can. America is a nation of immigrants. You’re either an immigrant, a refugee, an enslaved person, or one of the First Nations aka native Americans. Indian immigrants have achieved amazing things in this country and should be proud of where they came from and where they belong now (in the US, in case there’s any doubt).
And don’t read xitter or watch Fox nooz (who paid a $787M fine based on their claim in court that they are entertainment, not news, and only an idiot would think otherwise). Substack, The Atlantic, and The Guardian are better bets.
Ibney00@reddit
I'd frankly be more mad if you didn't
mattcmoore@reddit
That's been an epic debate that is as old as the country itself. Millions of immigrants have done that, and they will continue to do that, but this is why we have to protect American values, because pretty soon that's all that will be left.
Communal-Lipstick@reddit
Absolutely. No one would be anything but happy about this.
CommonwealthCommando@reddit
lol of course
username-generica@reddit
You can. My Indian husband takes the Thanksgiving menu very seriously and always insists on making the turkey himself. It is a delicious turkey so I don’t argue with him.
Drew707@reddit
And as a multigenerational American, I hate Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving food, and that's fair too.
username-generica@reddit
Growing up I wasn’t a Thanksgiving fan. I later realized that the food that my parents cooked wasn’t very good and it was always tense around the table. I enjoy it more now that my husband, our kids, and I host and cook all of the food. It’s still far from my favorite holiday though.
Drew707@reddit
Any time I get the opportunity to host, I change the menu. Rib roast, no turkey at a minimum.
hx87@reddit
Only turkey I'll accept is heritage or hunted. None of that disproprotionately large and dry breast meat in my house.
username-generica@reddit
I keep suggesting other options when we’re making the menu and I keep getting overruled.
Drew707@reddit
Gotta get rough with them
ShadowDancerBrony@reddit
Bring a dish you want, let them know you'll be bringing it, and let then work around it. When I was young we had two turkeys the traditional roast turkey and my aunt's smoked turkey that she insisted on bringing because she didn't like roast turkey.
ChironXII@reddit
America operates on what I would call "umbrella multiculturalism". You can be anybody, but as long as you identify as American, believe in the ideals of America, and adopt certain core principles (like that same respect for others), you are one, no ifs or buts. You don't have to give up your original identity to gain that new one, either. That common cause under a shared banner is what makes and has always made America great. E pluribus unum.
Racists are gonna be racist, but if anybody doesn't belong here, it's them.
PAXICHEN@reddit
Find me another multicultural society like the USA. Fuck yeah.
hx87@reddit
The other former British settler colonies (except South Africa) are on our level
PaleontologistKey885@reddit
Everyone, including Americans ourselves, don't realize what a unicorn US really is. In a lot of ways, it's been an ongoing 250 years old social experiment, in no small part due to its relatively liberal immigration policies over the years.
ZestycloseAd5918@reddit
What other core principles come to mind?
Rashaen@reddit
Well said.
Embarrassed_Fig1801@reddit
Of course you can. Don’t listen to clowns.
RollinThundaga@reddit
My family has been in the country for 400 years.
You pass the tests, take the oath and naturalize tomorrow, you're as American as I am.
Inevitable-Half5547@reddit
That’s what assimilation means. If you never truly feel like an American then get as close as you can and raise your kids to feel like one.
No-Highway-4887@reddit
America is the one country you can move to and you are now truly considered a true citizen you can celebrate all American holidays with pride
bulmier@reddit
🤨 what about Australia? Canada? The United Kingdom?
Atlas7-k@reddit
If I go by some of things I have seen about Australia, not sure.
MissMenace101@reddit
That this post was posted in an Australian sub yesterday and they didn’t lie about the racism like is happening in this thread?
Atlas7-k@reddit
Not lying, presenting the case of those present. There is a reason online polling is considered flawed.
hiddentalent@reddit
OP is asking this question specifically because they have been misled by online bigots, so maybe you shouldn't go by some of the things you've seen about Australia?
stopsallover@reddit
Yeah, it's far from the only country. Even countries that we think of as having a stronger "ethnic" identity are multicultural.
Acceptable-Peace-69@reddit
Probably the most American thing you can say. Incorrect, but perfectly on brand.
More-Sock-67@reddit
I will never shame someone for having genuine pride to be an American
Lopsided_Panda_775@reddit
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Puzzled_Hamster58@reddit
Most people who immigrate here adapt and sorta Americanize them selfs since it’s far better here than where they came from.
Like I have a lot of Slav and Cambodian friends, they are super stereotypical America and proud. My Cambodian friends are first/second gen born here. But all my Slav friends fled the com-bloc and came here. It’s kinda funny when they have bbq’s they go over board American flag every thing. Wicked funny when you hear them talk in the thick accent talking about how great America is
No-Tart-1157@reddit
You absolutely can. If the opportunity exists it’s designed to be taken. And there’s a constitution that wants to give it to you.
Unfortunately tolerance and respect is not something everyone chooses. There’s pockets of hate, as you saw from those twitter posts. It’s an unfortunate truth of the world as a whole.
MightyMouse134@reddit
I am a white American woman whose ancestors came to these shores between 1619 and 1866. Guess what. I am not Native American, I am a descendant of immigrants. Immigrants just like you.
Welcome, and I love that you want to celebrate America! Luckily I am pretty sure most of us feel that way, despite a noisy minority who can’t really explain themselves.
ab7af@reddit
Native Americans also immigrated here, from Asia.
MightyMouse134@reddit
True!
Shoddy-Equivalent863@reddit
Everyone in this country is a descendent of immigrants (and/or colonizers) besides native Americans
FormBitter4234@reddit
Anyone who says you can’t isn’t worth your time. Congrats on citizenship!
Specific_Tomato4069@reddit
Don't listen to them. America is one of the few places where race and culture doesn't determine whether you are American or not
My great grandparents moved here to escape persecution at the start of the 1900s. My friend's grandfather was a straight off the boat Italian. There are many people here who are recent or relatively recent immigrants.
Not even including the fact that unless you're Native American, everyone is technically an immigrant here.
If you move here, want to assimilate into the general American culture, want to take pride in the country and call it your home, want to keep it safe, then you absolutely can and are encouraged to do so.
The nice thing is that American culture is an amalgamation of a bunch of different races and cultures. That's what makes it great.
Don't let the vocal minority/racists make you feel bad and that you don't count.
PistachioPerfection@reddit
Absolutely! That's literally what America was founded upon. We want people who want to be one with us.
The problem is when people who don't respect American culture come to take advantage of the country, in any number of ways.
hipsterdoofus39@reddit
I wonder what a Native American would think about this statement
PistachioPerfection@reddit
I know they resent being called “Native American”... they see that title as a contrived, politically correct term from the 1970s that they never asked for. Source: I grew up around them, even married one.
hipsterdoofus39@reddit
Apologies for that, what term is preferred?
How do they feel about your statement?
PistachioPerfection@reddit
The preferred term by far would be their specific tribal nation, if you know it. It definitely varies, but American Indian or indigenous are generally accepted. Some refer to themselves as "the people".
"They" have their own diverse views according to personal experiences and generational influences, just like anyone else. There's no single opinion. In my experience, they are patriotic and proud.
hipsterdoofus39@reddit
Interesting to get that perspective, thanks
Lunar_M1nds@reddit
You can and you should. I’d argue real Americans understand that everyone is welcome and that we the general masses don’t get a say of who doesn’t belong on stolen land. Do what brings you joy and spreads kindness and avoid drawing the attention of internet Nazis.
short_cub@reddit
American is a ton of cultures coming together, the US wasn't only built on the Europeans doing things or lack thereof.
My brother and sister Tribes taught them democracy, Africans were enslaved to farm and build structures, Asians were made to work on things like railroads.\ Each one from different places of the world contributed to what is known as America today and Europeans didn't do much aside from take credit like 'civilizing' Native Americans to freeing the slaves.
There is nothing wrong with celebrating your culture as long as it isn't/wasn't in the name to harm others.\ Many European-Americans seem to think every other ethnic group hates them just for having lighter skin, but we don't like how much sugarcoating US history has done to us and we're told to move on.
annang@reddit
Twitter is a racist, right-wing cesspool, and you should never believe anything you read there.
toxicjellyfish666@reddit
Lol Twitter is super progressive wtf
ShadowDancerBrony@reddit
A couple years out of date, Reddit is now more left-wing than Twitter
Chart: How Politically Divided Are Social Media Networks? | Statista
MissMenace101@reddit
It’s either crack or you’re a bot
Ok_Shopping_3292@reddit
I don't think you've been on Twitter since Elon took over.
BillWeld@reddit
Redneck culture loves sympathetic outsiders. Anyone who is friendly and wants to assimilate is most welcome. There are other parts of the US that are less welcoming.
sean8877@reddit
Answer: Stay off Twitter, it's full of morons
MechanicalGodzilla@reddit
I don't have twitter, so I have no idea how that works - who exactly is saying this? Is it real people or "engagement bots"?
And if you move to America and assimilate, you get to celebrate everything about the US that you want. You're as American as Apple Pie
WormWithWifi@reddit
I think so, isn’t that part of becoming a citizen?
RobinFarmwoman@reddit
Rage bait.
mrsrobotic@reddit
Desi American here, second gen so didn't immigrate. I'll always be desi to an extent but my desh is the US, if that makes sense. It's my home and I will always defend it.
CNB-1@reddit
Yep. Identity in America isn't either/or it's both/and.
Nofanta@reddit
Yes for sure. Embrace the new culture and discard the old. I grew up with an Indian and we played American football together. He coaches his kids in pre wee football now. He’s as American as you can get.
btmg1428@reddit
I'm willing to bet the "Americans" telling you that you'll never be American aren't Americans themselves. IME the only groups of people who tell me that I, as an immigrant, will never be considered truly American, are non-Americans who think nationality and ethnicity are the same thing (they're not) and economic migrants who still identify with their home country and hate it when one of theirs assimilate to American culture.
The Americans born here? They don't care if you're born outside the country. They won't even ask unless you tell them. They'll assume you're American unless you tell them otherwise.
CNB-1@reddit
Oh yeah, that's the whole point!
Congratulations, you're American.
FemboyEngineer@reddit
Just because someone says they're a real person + an American on twitter doesn't mean they are.
Moose2418@reddit
To fully assimilate you must join a fantasy football league and subsequently lose the entire thing.
StatementEcstatic751@reddit
Only the most extreme conservatives (like beyond conservative) or idiots would discourage being proud of your new country. Most of us love seeing immigrants succeeding and taking full part in our society and being happy they're here
Axy8283@reddit
Beyond conservatives would circle back to progressive lefties. They’re the real haters of America lol.
StatementEcstatic751@reddit
True
Rare-Newspaper8530@reddit
If they can’t, they shouldn’t be here. If you can’t assimilate/integrate, you have no business moving to the country.
Lallner@reddit
"You can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk, or Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American." - Ronald Reagan farewell address
lindakurzweil@reddit
I work with quite a few people who were born elsewhere. I have NEVER heard any American born person say anything disparaging about our friends and coworkers celebrating American holidays or speaking about America as their country.
BaseClean@reddit
A professor of an ethnic studies class described America as a salad rather than a melting pot which is more accurate. Lots of xenophobia here sadly. Thankfully others are welcoming.
EmbarrassedGuide6159@reddit
One of America's greatest strengths is taking in immigrants and helping them achieve great things. Don't listen to the haters, immigrants make this country stronger.
What_A_Hohmann@reddit
My grandparents came here and embraced it. When my grandfather passed he was honored as a military veteran just the same as anyone born here. That included his wife being presented with an American flag. He served. He was an American. That being said, his first years in the country were rough. There were people who weren't very welcoming. Not everyone shared that sentiment though. That holds true today. There are assholes who don't want to accept immigrants. But there's also a ton of us who do see them as equally American.
humanessinmoderation@reddit
I mean white people did that, but also with a lot of omissions of what their history looked like and what they were doing to others.
Cubans are a very recent example.
paradigm_shifted2@reddit
I’m also an immigrant to the United States, and the street that I live on has Indian, Pakistani, Korean and Filipino first generation families. My impression from the other neighbors is that we are all welcome, I see them all engaging in regular friendly conversations with other neighbors when walking dogs or spending time outside. My perception is that recent immigrants who make efforts to become part of community and society at large rather than staying isolated within groups of their own ethnic or religious backgrounds are accepted as being part of modern American culture. Even more so if they express enjoyment at positive aspects of life here, like school events, sports, community gatherings, things like the recent Artemis mission etc.
If you were my neighbor and spoke warmly about America and expressed pride in positive achievements of the country I’d enjoy talking to you I’m sure.
ssinff@reddit
Do your things whenever you want. Don't let other people determine whether or not you're American. For the record I was born here and have zero pride about it.
superanth@reddit
Oh yes, everyone is welcome to celebrate America once you're here. And it's cool if you want to celebrate your own country's achievements too!
And the "boundary wall" is from the white elitists. The greatest strength of the US is the fact that it's a blended culture, and once you're here and you sincerely want to join in the party, you're going to be welcomed with open arms.
LicketLicketyZooZoo@reddit
“To love America is to love every American.” - John Cena. That means you too! Welcome to the fam. Grab some chips and a bottle rocket.
kreativegaming@reddit
I always grew up believing that we were a melting pot. The idea is that you come here, try your best to learn English, eat the food, follow our etiquette. But at the same time you shouldn't lose your identity. Like when you order pizza for your kids and I deliver it your wife is making you curry cause you won't eat that american pizza that is bad assimilation. If you eat a burger at my house and then the next week invite me to eat burgers at yours and you add an Indian flair like a butter chicken flavored mayo to show your own unique flair now that's american.
Before yall say shit their are bison burgers doesn't always have to be cow.
The whole point is to act like one of us but to share your heritage at the same time. Not act like you're in your own little bubble and only break out of it for 10 seconds and run right back in.
If I moved to India I would learn your customs and language and blend in but in my home I'd still act american. It's just common courtesy in my opinion.
TazDingo278@reddit
It's totally up to you. If can be happy about whatever you like, if you don't care about what others think.
Would native Americans welcome that? I'd say some do, some don't(or else racism wouldn't be an issue in America), but what can they do about it, right? You do you.
slingshot91@reddit
Twitter filtered out a lot of good people and became neo-Nazi MAGA HQ when Musk took over. It’s a cesspool. Don’t trust anyone who is active on there.
c0-pilot@reddit
I’m born American. I celebrate the achievements of Americans before me. What’s the different if you gained citizenship through naturalization and have assimilated?
babassu_seeds@reddit
Of course! One of the big points--anyone can be an American
WhichSpirit@reddit
Yes, absolutely. We're kinda built on it.
Honestly, the only people I've heard say "You'll never be X" has been foreigners talking about their countries and foreigners pretending to be American online. I've never once in my life heard an American say "You'll never be American."
Pemminpro@reddit
What? No, its the opposite. we enjoy when immigrants assimilate into our culture and celebrate our culture.
MsPooka@reddit
If you identify as an American or an Indian-American or just an Indian has nothing to do with anyone but you. You're invited to the BBQ by everyone except the people we don't want to invite to the BBQ because they're jerks.
Scavgraphics@reddit
Is it your home? Then yes, cheer and celebrate.
If someone says it's not your home, tell them to f' off. Or come here and you'll find a lot of Americans (white and red and blue) who'll do it for you, because despite the bad press some give us, we welcome people.
Miles_Everhart@reddit
Yeah, it’s encouraged.
kibbeuneom@reddit
Twitter? How old was the original post?
Antioch666@reddit
Native Americans be like:
"Yes... OBVIOUSLY, they absolutely can..."
WildlifePolicyChick@reddit
Of course you can. 'Becoming' an American is kind of the whole point of immigrating here.
Enjoy!
Left-Star2240@reddit
This country was created by colonizers, largely built by slaves, and strengthened by immigrants.
Every wave of immigrants have experienced xenophobia. It’s become insane enough that some don’t even realize that Puerto Rico is a US territory.
Anyone that’s not a Native American is born from immigrants. I’m sorry that you’re experiencing this. Ignore the social media haters.
You’re here, so you’re an American. I don’t even care if you are a citizen. If there’s something you want to celebrate, please do. Honestly I struggle to find something about this country to celebrate these days.
ab7af@reddit
Native Americans are also born from Asian immigrants.
fdader@reddit
Except for native Americans, we are all immigrants. Welcome fellow American.
ab7af@reddit
Native Americans are also immigrants, from Asia.
Otney@reddit
Other than the folks who are descended from people who were forced into being slaves, and horrifically dragged across the Atlantic in chains, and suffered here for generations of unimaginable cruelty, only to be forced to fight the segregation of Jim Crow, and folks who are Native Americans, whose stolen land we are all on, and who are still here, EVERY PERSON LIVING HERE is an immigrant or the children or descended from immigrants. So your being here is perfect and natural and however you are living your life here is fully part of this place. We are all glad you are here; are there some who are not? They are deluded bigots, mostly, or ignorant and fearful.
ab7af@reddit
Native Americans are also descended from Asian immigrants.
buried_lede@reddit
The lovely maga bigots. /s Ignore them.
Yes, it’s your country, just like the rest of us. We all immigrated here except for native Ameticans who were badly treated. It’s even more their country
ab7af@reddit
Native Americans also immigrated here, from Asia.
EinsteinDisguised@reddit
Hell yeah, brother. With the exception of Native Americans, we all have our roots somewhere else. We all came from somewhere else, whether that was a year ago or 50 years ago or 200 years ago.
Do your thing, work hard, enjoy our culture and share yours with others and you’ll fit right in.
ab7af@reddit
Native Americans also came from somewhere else: Asia.
XelaNiba@reddit
Fuck those guys.
I'm 16th gen American and I'm no more an American than you are. It's a great thing about the US, no one people get to lay claim to it. It's as much yours as it is mine.
Welcome,.glad you're here neighbor :)
Leona_Faye_@reddit
It happens all the time!
DannyDanumba@reddit
Yes without a doubt!
Erdos_Helia@reddit
Yes you can.
A lot of America's achievements are tied to its successful integration of immigrants.
For example NASA used Nazi scientists to help build rockets for Space exploration. In Germany those men were building rockets to launch at London. However in America those men were taking humanity to the moon.
So that achievement was brought on by American immigrants.
Steve Job's biological father was a Syrian immigrant. It was America that gave Steve Jobs the opportunity to become the man he became.
America has plenty of accomplishments from its immigrants. That is why you can proudly call yourself as American as anyone else here. Your race does not affect how American you are.
JackYoMeme@reddit
You can do anything you want brother. It's America.
Changed_By_Support@reddit
America is first and foremost a country of immigrants. My father's own fathers crossed over water once upon a time and arrived here; I am a child of immigrants and I am proud of it. From the very first second you step foot upon the continent, you become a part of it and its history, no matter where you are from.
Mildly_Defective@reddit
Yes! Of course you can!!! Don’t listen to idiots on twitter.
kmoonster@reddit
Depends on the neighborhood/etc you are living in but generally -- yes.
My father's family moved here in the 1600s by choice. My mother was literally born in Europe after World War II and were moved here with very little choice due to being internally displaced. I have more family adopted or married into the family from all over the world than were born "by blood" in the normal way. Maybe not literally "all over" the world, but probably a dozen-ish countries if I had to guess -- and most are not European (though my personal ancestry is entirely European). A mixed family like this is very, very common to the point that it might be on equal footing with families who are strictly from just one or two ancestries.
All us kids in my generation (ie all my cousins/siblings) are just as American as the next person despite us all having ancestries from countries thousands of miles apart.
To be American is an idea or pursuit much more than it is an ancestry despite what Stephen Miller and his ilk want you to think.
PAXICHEN@reddit
I think the only answer to this question is, “Fuck yea!”
PAXICHEN@reddit
You don’t want to assimilate. You want to integrate.
Asaneth@reddit
Fine with me.
SharkBubbles@reddit
Best to get off Twitter. It’s a cesspool.
RTR20241@reddit
Absolutely and welcome
No_Owl_7380@reddit
Absolutely. My other half is Dominican. While he will always have love for his country, he also loves America. He has a diverse friend set, celebrates all the American holidays, is involved with the community, fully bilingual, etc.
We also know people that have lived here for decades and still only associate with people from their own country, don’t make an effort to gain English proficiency, etc. so it goes both ways.
Jordanmp627@reddit
Just delete twitter. Welcome to America. Celebrate as you wish and continue to celebrate India too.
Yak-Shack@reddit
Don’t listen to anyone who says you’ll never be an American. That’s supposed to be one of the great things about the US, anyone can become an American. Despite my many issues with Reagan, one of my favorite quotes about the US comes from him. “You can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk, or a Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American.”
hella_cutty@reddit
Hell yeah you are an American!
TheBlazingFire123@reddit
Yes that is the goal for immigrants here
Spotted_slamander7@reddit
If they choose to.
ALmommy1234@reddit
America is a country of mostly immigrants. You have every right to feel proud of her!
Maleficent_Button_58@reddit
Those people are being hateful, and are forgetting that we're a nation of immigrants 🙄
TheRtHonLaqueesha@reddit
Yes
LetterheadClassic306@reddit
i feel you on this. my parents came here from asia and i've watched them navigate the same worry. here's the thing - america runs on immigrants who fell in love with this place and made it their own. those twitter voices are loud but they're not the majority. you absolutely can celebrate every american achievement like it's your own because once you're here, they are your own. i've seen folks from everywhere wave flags at olympics, cry at july 4th fireworks, argue about politics like they've been here for generations. the people who matter won't gatekeep. just live your life, contribute to your community, and let the pride grow naturally.
soon2Brevealed@reddit
YES ! i’m proof. but the citizenship oath, doesn’t say celebrate america’s achievement, it says defend the constitution.
Palegreenhorizon@reddit
Honestly: it Depends on the region in America. Most coastal areas are fairly welcoming. A lot depends on how you present yourself. Most people will be nice to you, but probably wouldn’t consider you American until you are a citizen and likely if you have a heavy accent it’s not super likely. That being said people will still accept you as part of the community. And any children you have that are raised here will be even more accepted.
LeckereKartoffeln@reddit
Part of American identity is their roots, to the upset of Europeans, is Europe. You're always going to face some level of rejection from these people, because part of their American identity is their roots in Europe.
Jsaun906@reddit
Yes
Saltpork545@reddit
Yes, this is still part of American mythology and even today 1 in 7 Americans were not born in this country. 1 in 7.
We have always had waves of immigration and we don't have 2nd class Americans. If the US has a class system it's based on money mostly.
My late father had a Polish doctor, came over after the USSR dissolved, became a doctor here, married, had a family, really nice guy. My father was born in the US, I was born in the US. The doctor wasn't 'half American', he wasn't 'less American', dude was as American as the rest of us.
The one thing we do demand is if you move, you aren't allowed to bring your old world animosity. If you really dislike Pakistan as an Indian, you can have your opinion but openly hating on Pakistani people here, particularly American Pakistanis, is a wet fart in church. That's not going to be socially tolerated and if you actually refuse to serve Pakistanis at a business you own you can even face criminal charges or fines.
Also, yes, please do not listen to Twitter or Tiktok about every aspect of American culture. There's 2.9 million of your fellow countrymen here as permanent residents or citizens. We don't differentiate between different subcultures or groups of Indians, you're just all from India.
Get off Twitter. It's better for your mental health. Just a thought.
crochetawayhpff@reddit
America is a melting pot. So yes, you can. Ignore the xenophobes, they don't represent most Americans.
donuttrackme@reddit
Of course.
Infamous-Yellow-8357@reddit
Yes you can. Many Americans, like myself (who is white) are descended from immigrants. Both of my grandmothers immigrated. What you're talking about is racism. That's a whole separate issue.
But if you have your citizenship, you're in the club, my guy. Welcome home!
A-R3alJ4ckal0pe@reddit
Once you begin the process of becoming one of us, you've earned the right to celebrate like you've always been one of us.
SunShine365-@reddit
Twitter is basically a racist bot farm at this point, not worth any attention. People of Indian descent have been in the Americas since the 1700’s and have contributed to this country in innumerable ways. You are an American, and are welcome to celebrate as such
outloud230@reddit
My late dad, who immigrated from Nicaragua, was absolutely American, became a citizen, and never went back. If you’re here you’re one of us. Anyone who disagrees is just a racist asshat. Ignore them.
aquariusnights@reddit
You are welcome here!
TheYeast1@reddit
Yes. The whole thing about America is that it’s a nation of immigrants, Native Americans make up less than 1% of the countries population. Everyone here is either an immigrant, or descendants of immigrants.
horsecrazycowgirl@reddit
Absolutely! And anyone who tells you differently can F right off. Part of being American is being both proud of being American and proud of your cultural roots. Please embrace both and celebrate them equally.
MisterHEPennypacker@reddit
Definitely. Arnold Schwarzenegger personifies this.
rosietherosebud@reddit
Hell yeah dude. I think the US is one of the easiest countries to assimilate in if you fully embrace the culture. We love patriotic immigrants.
MacSteele13@reddit
My dad's family did.
burlingk@reddit
Ironically, traditionally, those same people drawing boundaries on Twitter used to insist that was a requirement to be a 'good immigrant.'
SukunasStan@reddit
You definitely can. Please delete your twitter account unless you've monetized it. Twitter will give you an extremely warped view of every country on the planet, ESPECIALLY America. There was a hilarious (and obvious) controversy recently when Twitter started showing the country of origin of every twitter account and many of the super xenophobic and racist American accounts were actually based in Russia, Israel, and a bunch of other random countries.
eilataN_spooky@reddit
Yes! We are a nation of immigrants!
A lot of other countries like to throw shade on is and label us racist. And there is a lot of racism here, but I think people forget that there is no country as diverse as the US. Racism happens because people from every country and nationality come here and interact. We don't hide it, like racism is front and center of the discussion. It's something we will always grapple with and it's not a fight we will ever win, but we fight for it every day to make our country better.
You will never be looked down upon by an American for celebrating America holidays or being proud to call America your new home. Most Americans are very kind and would be curious to know more about you if you are an immigrant. That being said, things can also be scary for people of color and immigrants, but I would say that it depends where you move to.
Most big cities and many random pockets of the country have huge immigrant populations that give immigrants a sense of community and can provide resources. For example, huge Arab population in Michigan and a huge Hmong population in Minnesota. I live in Chicago in a Ukrainian neighborhood, a quarter of the city population is Latino, and the pierogi place down the street sells jalepeno flavored pierogis. We are a melting pot.
Simpawknits@reddit
If you have a US Passport, you are American. You are my brother/sister. (Well, you don't have to be an American to be that.)
plation5@reddit
The internet is filled with assholes of course you can celebrate the achievements of our county. Don’t let anyone tell you can’t
Specialist-Ad4464@reddit
The boundary wall between immigrants and white Americans are actually promoted by white liberals who believe that all other cultures are better than American culture.
ZaBaronDV@reddit
So, listening to people on Twitter was your first mistake.
Yes, you absolutely can go full American. You should. Welcome home, brother.
jay5627@reddit
The people creating a boundary weren't there when the colonies decided to stand up to the King. Odds are, neither were their relatives.
Be as prideful as you want to show you appreciate living here.
MilaVaneela@reddit
You sure can!
You are one of us, friend. Celebrate whatever you want! You might find pockets of bigoted people here and there but they’re not the norm. Enjoy our country. (by our country I mean yours too)
mittenciel@reddit
I'm a first generation immigrant. That means I know what it means to actually become an American. Those people on Twitter are just nepo Americans that probably don't even know the branches of government.
WillThereBeSnacks13@reddit
Frankly a lot of the people on twitter are russian bot farms, paid propagandists and nazis there to stir up vitriol. Yes there are real life shitbags there but the numbers are vanishingly small compared to the majority of people in the US who truly do not give a shit about immigration because they are just working and living and have hobbies (*a positive thing, imho). Look at the audience numbers for the "alternative superbowl half time show" vs. Bad Bunny and you will see the proportions in stark relief.
Wildwilly54@reddit
Fuck ya you can.
Some of the most patriotic people in this Country are the ones that moved here for a better life.
MilaVaneela@reddit
My late dad who came here from Cuba was very patriotic and loved so much about this country. He was realistic that our country has flaws but he’d always be like “compared to Cuba this is heaven”.
dfelton912@reddit
One of the most patriotic people I know moved here from Russia as a teenager. His father was a war reporter and was basically kicked out of the country for, well, doing his job. Now the guy is an officer in the Air Force and goes balls out for the 4th of July
Wildwilly54@reddit
When I first moved up by NYC out of college, my cousin put me in touch with a friend of his. Ran into him at a packed bar for the USA vs Russia hockey game in the Olympics. He was decked out in USA gear and I asked him oh man wasn’t sure who you’d be rooting for. “My parents moved here with 50 dollars and didn’t know the language, to give my sister and I a better life, fuck Russia … go USA” the whole bar erupted in a cheer. His name is Boris and he still has a Russian accent.
Chob_XO@reddit
This is SOOOO true.
megamanx4321@reddit
The people that say that simply don't want you in America. They are a minority.
megamanx4321@reddit
Millions of new Americans did this 100 years ago.
bonzai113@reddit
My wife is German and been on the States since the age of twelve. She celebrates everything American. Her favorite holiday is the 4th of July.
Illustrious-Jump-398@reddit
Yes
SkinyGuniea417@reddit
Welcome home man. You're an American now so you have an obligation to do whatever you want and not.care what anyone thinks.
Wicket2024@reddit
Yes. My husband is from India. He got his citizenship years ago. While India has a special place for him, America is his chosen country. He lives living here and celebrates the achievements made here.
Okuri-Inu@reddit
Yes. In fact most people would encourage it. Twitter is a cesspool, and is not representative of the American population. If you go to any of the 250th anniversary celebrations this year I can almost guarantee that people there will be happy to have you! 😊
devnullopinions@reddit
Yes.
If you have American citizenship you would be perceived as American both in a legal and cultural sense by a majority of Americans.
rexeditrex@reddit
My parents and a lot of my friends’ parents did it.
joker_1173@reddit
Yes and no, there will always be a section of the US that hates immigrants, brown people, or even people that speak with an accent - while at the same time complaining that immigrants dont assimilate.
The US, and i was born here, tends toward the willfully ignorant
Educational_Impact93@reddit
Once you're a citizen, you're an American.
Heck, I think of someone with a green card that's been here 20 years or whatever as an American, but the citizenship thing is pretty iron clad, despite the opinion of some dumb hicks.
trinite0@reddit
You bet your ass you can! When my Irish American, German American, Jordanian American, Ghanaian American, Mexican American, and Afghan American friends all get together for the Fourth of July, it's one big happy country. Welcome aboard, friend! And bring your food, we love it all.
DizzyFly9339@reddit
Yeah dude, you’re an American now. Don’t listen to those racist assholes on twitter who wouldn’t know a history book if it hit them in the face. Everyone who isn’t indigenous is descended from immigrants.
judijo621@reddit
But then where do I have for Christmas day dinner? It's been Indian food for years!
DrywallAnchor@reddit
Absolutely! I was born in China and am a product of the one-child policy. I call this my country because I wasn't wanted in my birth country.
Maruff1@reddit
Do what ever you want my friend this is america and the trolls on twitter never get out of their mom's basements
onlyreason4u@reddit
Yes you can. Unlike a lot of other countries, you are as American as anyone else the day you become a citizen.
We have a dipshit pedophile and his morons supporting him, trying to change that. They will fail.
TheBimpo@reddit
Of course, that’s our whole idea.
RagingKERES@reddit
If you are in Columbus,Ohio, tell me where and when. We love to celebrate people.
username-generica@reddit
My only piece of advice is not to try to make tandoori turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. My Indian husband tried making it one year and it wasn’t very popular. He makes all sorts of delicious Indian and non Indian food but the tandoori turkey didn’t measure up.
Gloomy-Difference-51@reddit
Of course
sewedthroughmyfinger@reddit
I mean.. Unless you're indigenous you're an immigrant.. The country we know today was built by a lot of different people from different places. Celebrate away!
igwaltney3@reddit
And you go back far enough and the indigenous folks immigarted from elsewhere, so we're all immigrants of one stripe or another.
MissMenace101@reddit
Even further we all migrated to earth in a meteorite
nymrod_@reddit
Nationalism is bad. There’s nothing to be proud of.
Crusoe15@reddit
Assimilation is the goal. You’ve come to American, become an American, be proud of your adopted country. We’ll be happy have you at our 250th Independence Day party,
MissMenace101@reddit
CorrugationDirection@reddit
Pretty much, if you live here and want to identify as American, almost everyone will view that as legitimate. Ignore the random crazies.
Heatmap_BP3@reddit
I think so. This gets contested and so forth politically but actually the most patriotic people I've met have been immigrants.
stopsallover@reddit
It only gets contested by racists.
Acceptable-Peace-69@reddit
True, but there are a lot of racists, including in the White House.
Drew707@reddit
A few years ago, I was doing something for a federal agency that required me to go down to the federal building in SF which also housed all the immigration shit. There was a long line of people outside the building waiting to take pictures with their family waving little American flags as they celebrated their achievement of citizenship. It was beautiful.
Outrageous-Proof4630@reddit
I feel like so many Americans forget the majority of us are decedents of immigrants, our families have just been here longer.
shelwood46@reddit
It's like people born into a religion vs converts. The converts tend to be much more enthusiastic (but also sometimes get stuff wrong). Of course someone who actively chooses a thing will be more into it.
TheJeff@reddit
I'm a 4th generation Texan and I get so sick of the "you're not really a Texan" gatekeeping that I'm going to slightly modify my standard Texan answer for all of America.
Nobody gets to say who is and who isn't an American. The moment somebody asks you where are you from and your default answer is I'm an American, then you are an American. Once you internalize being part of the culture to whatever standard you have that your default answer is yes I'm from America that's all that matters.
heyinternetman@reddit
I think any country is going to want you to assimilate into their culture if you move there to some degree. America is probably one of the fewer countries that actually appreciates other people’s cultures and “tolerates” it more than most. Obviously not all of Americans do and unfortunately the ones that don’t are being quite vocal about it. But if you went to Japan or Portugal, they would expect a certain degree of assimilation into their cultures.
duraraross@reddit
You can do whatever you want forever! :)
AuggieNorth@reddit
If you showed up in my city, Boston, for the big July 4th celebration and fireworks wearing all red, white, & blue and an Uncle Sam hat, nobody would say a word, at least of criticism. If you're a citizen, you're in.
Friendly-Wear6213@reddit
Yes you can call America your country and be proud of all our achievements.
pikkdogs@reddit
If you became a citizen then only racism’s wouldn’t accept you.
SenseAndSaruman@reddit
Absolutely!
JakovYerpenicz@reddit
Yes please do
Barutano74@reddit
Absolutely. This has been taking place for generations and for those white supremacists* on twitter, fuck them
*it doesn’t take being Enrique Tarrio to be a white supremacist - if someone thinks non-white people shouldn’t immigrate to the U.S., they’re a white supremacist.
Which-Service-5146@reddit
Yep. Fully supported.
clamb2@reddit
That’s the whole point.
StormFallen9@reddit
America was built by immigrants
clamb2@reddit
E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one.
Severe_Eggplant_7747@reddit
Such a better motto than “in God we trust”, so vague and low effort.
clamb2@reddit
Agreed. Never should have been changed
FunnyComfortable8341@reddit
It was build by slaves
National-Pressure202@reddit
It was built by both
Punkinpry427@reddit
Absolutely. That’s the whole point of this place. Welcome.
BoopleSnoot921@reddit
Hell yes you can. It’s actually encouraged.
Suitable-Hornet2797@reddit
Absolutely.
limbodog@reddit
Yup. Happens all the time
EuropeanNationalist0@reddit
No lmao.
Less_Wealth5525@reddit
I taught ESL to immigrants. It seemed to me that some students had an American mindset in two weeks and others never developed one.
holiestcannoly@reddit
Yes. I would encourage you to assimilate into American culture and fully embrace it. I wouldn't turn you down for wanting to.
thedawntreader85@reddit
Yeah, of course. An American can be any race or ethnicity what matters is your values.
Thaimontana@reddit
Historically speaking I truly believe yes, the very thing that makes USA society amazing is its diversity. The gradual blending of many cultures, thoughts, and ideas has produced some fantastic results. That being said, the current acceptance by the diaper donnie administration of racism and the idiotic thought behind it, has allowed the USA to diminish greatly. I hope that soon immigrants can once again be fully accepted and celebrated in USA culture.
bigkapex@reddit
No
Crowiswatching@reddit
You’re an American now, buddy.
RedLegGI@reddit
If you go through the process to become an American, I don’t know why you wouldn’t celebrate your country.
OverSearch@reddit
I'm American by the grace of God - I was born into it and I couldn't be prouder.
But someone who CHOOSES to be American? I have mad respect for that, most of us do.
GoldFingerSilverSerf@reddit
This is a part of the “American Dream” and any good American wants you to do this.
BitchWidget@reddit
White American here. Yes. Don't listen to people that say otherwise. Welcome home.
MillianaT@reddit
Welcome to the US, u/sggfd1213. It may not always show (sorry!), but a lot of us are happy you’re here.
You’ll find a lot of Americans take pride in the smaller associations, too. Their home town, the nearby pro sports teams, their State, etc. You’re welcome to join us with that, as well. We particularly enjoy it when the Bears beat the Cheeseheads…. Er, I mean Green Bay. :)
ObjectiveElefant@reddit
I’ve never seen anyone say that, especially creating a boundary between immigrants and white Americans? There are a ton of non white people who aren’t even immigrants, so that’s a head scratcher. Also, an almost bipartisan agreement is that if you come here, you need to assimilate, add to society and be patriotic, in that you celebrate this country.
nathanwilson26@reddit
Yes.
Plato198_9@reddit
Yes, I am willing to bet that many of the people who say different own Families have not even been here as long as the country has existed
Inspi@reddit
Yes. It's kind of our thing. "melting pot" and whatnot.
Why_Teach@reddit
I am an immigrant, and I am assimilated and accepted. However, I don’t have an accent and I am white (Hispanic).
Life_Lawfulness8825@reddit
Yes, assimilation is encouraged but don’t give up your culture identity. That is encouraged to keep. America is constantly evolving.
TheBigMotherFook@reddit
Yes they absolutely can. There’s sort of a stereotype here where Indians can become doctors or IT professionals, which are very respected members of society. No one bats an eye when Dr Mehta or Patel walks in.
HermioneMarch@reddit
Absolutely!
eviljim113ftw@reddit
I’m an immigrant and I am proud to have become American. I celebrate all the achievements and hate the all its issues.
It’s not a mutually exclusive experience. It’s the country that’s taking care of you now. You belong to it
dcgrey@reddit
We do have some modest, negotiable standards…
*You have to be here — you won’t be viewed as American if you haven’t lived in the country, with the exception of those born abroad to Americans and who identify as American.
*You’ll have your doubters if you harshly criticize America while wildly praising your home country. But that’s more if you’re overtly condemning a core American value. You could live here twenty years, speak English without an accent, and coach your daughter’s softball team, but if you said “Crime is such a problem in our democracy. America would be much better with a strong leader like I had back in Saudi”, that would be a problem.
carmineragu@reddit
Yes, that’s the whole idea.
ApprehensiveApple110@reddit
You can move to France, but you won’t be French. You can move to Japan, but you won’t be Japanese. But if you come to America, you’re an American. 🇺🇸
needaGandT@reddit
You can definitely. As, I believe Regan put it, "America is the only country in the world that immigration to America makes you an American."
Immediate-Count-1202@reddit
Yes, but you might want to sit this chapter out.
L_knight316@reddit
Yes but the kicker is you have to actually assimilate and integrate. Its one thing to have foreign heritage, its another to share more in common with that heritage and then claim someone else's while sharing little with them.
Anachronism--@reddit
If you want to move to the us and assimilate I’m glad to call you American. If you want to be familiar with some American pop culture that’s a nice bonus.
spraksea@reddit
America was built by adventurers, pioneers, and settlers from other lands. You are one of them. You are more American then those who never left their birthplace.
Radiant_Music3698@reddit
Absolutely. America is far more an idea than a place. What we truely are is the great experiment of the Enlightenment. If you believe in the individualist principles of enlightenment liberalism, you're already more American than a third of Americans.
Total-Improvement535@reddit
To me, that’s the most essential part of becoming an American.
If you’re gonna move here, you need to act like you live here. That means taking part in the culture (holidays, food, how you talk, act, and dress)
Upstairs_Highlight25@reddit
You definitely can! All it really takes to be accepted as an American is considering your self American and no being a dick. There are individuals who are very anti immigration and racist but most of us are only two or three generations from our last immigrant ancestor.
rich84easy@reddit
Once you take oath to US constitution to become a citizen. You are American, don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.
UWontHearMeAnyway@reddit
What you are describing is the true American spirit. So, f yeah brother (or sister)!
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
Ranger_Foundation@reddit
At a certain scale, true assimilation becomes impossible and just turns into colonization.
amazonlover668@reddit
lol what exactly is “American “ ? There’s no such thing, definitely not what the MAGA crowd thinks . You do you , don’t worry about trying to fit in to something that’s constantly evolving .
Fit-Relationship7447@reddit
Yeah ofc just don’t be blindingly loyal study it’s history it culture it’s failings and achievements.
Vandal_A@reddit
I live in the DC Area, which is a VERY immigrant-heavy area (we have neighborhoods where nothing is written in English, Eithiopian food is basically the go-to food of DC carryouts, I have coworkers from probably 30+ countries I work with daily, etc etc). I've also been around the US a lot and lived in very different environments (as well as everything in between).
What I can tell you based on all that is this: on the whole Americans like people who choose to come here, we like people who try to fit in, and to a lesser extent people like or at least respect or appreciate if you try to bring influences from home with you.
What all that means is if you're coming here just try to be a good member of your community (which doesn't only mean participating in local issues here, but also means not trying to force everyone to do what you do ... yes, that means a lot of born Americans you've seen online are being bad community members in our eyes). People will judge you by how much you give, not by where you're from or etc. we understand that most of us had families who came from elsewhere and went through what you're going through. So the mentality is "come join us" and if you do you're one of us
All the best
staabc@reddit
The USA is the only country in the world where you can raise your right hand and swear that you are an American, and you become an American at that moment. My grandfather did it a hundred years ago. I had the honor of meeting Joe Chou years ago. His Chinese accent was so strong, I had a little trouble understanding him. But, he was the Mayor of Addison, Texas. He was running for reelection and, Holy Cow, did he love being an American!
MVHood@reddit
Of course! Many of my favorite Americans were born in other countries!!
tcspears@reddit
Yes, that's how pretty much everyone is here! Unlike France, Japan, Germany, or others we don't have a national identity. We are all immigrants, the children of immigrants, grand children, et cetera. I'm not picking on those countries, I'm just saying we don't have a strong national identity. Each state has its own identity, but even that is influenced by waves of immigration. I'm outside of Boston, and the last two years the elementary schools in my town celebrated Diwali instead of Halloween - we're constantly shifting culturally.
Everyone came here as a stranger, worked their way up, and can take part in the American Dream. Yes the American Dream has had some hiccups lately, and there's some serious division in America, but despite what TikTok is telling GenZ and GenA, the American Dream is very much alive. I've met hundreds of people that came her from India, Brazil, China, Bangladesh, wherever and they started with nothing and built a stable and lasting legacy for their new family. Not everyone is going to be a billionaire, but you can easily reach middle or upper middle class and have the freedom to do what you want here.
Willing_Ad_699@reddit
Yes his name is Arnold Schwarzenegger
Drew707@reddit
The Governator.
J0J0388@reddit
Yeah you totally can, this is how it is normally. Don't listen to ding dongs online who want to create rifts between us.
Socalbruh@reddit
Absolutely. If you have citizenship then you’re an American too. If you’re working on citizenship then why the hell not celebrate with us?
People online are a loud minority or bots. I say fuck em. Celebrate whatever you want with us.
void_method@reddit
Yes, absolutely!
Some of your old ways need to be abandoned. The bad ones. Can't say what those are because honestly k don't even know.
The idea is to keep all the great stuff to make everyone better, and cast aside that which no longer serves us.
Racism can make that hard... the traitors were not punished properly after our Civil War so it's slowing our progress.
sadrice@reddit
Absolutely, they are idiots, and frankly kind of un American.
The most American thing you could possibly do is come here and become one of us and contribute to the melting pot that makes up America, that’s the patriotic ideal. We have like a whole famous statue about it and everything.
Unfortunately we haven’t been living up to our ideals so well, and so there are some… barriers, but if you ignore the bigots (and they weren’t worth talking to anyways), there ought to be people that accept you as fellow Americans, I think you would be accepted readily in my town.
Eat_Locals@reddit
I’d encourage you to.
Detonation@reddit
Yes. Period. Ignore anyone saying otherwise, they're pricks.
esaule@reddit
What you choose to celebrate is up to you!
supercuteguydebord@reddit
I’m Indian but look Arab. Been here over 20 years.
The state I moved to? Too openly hateful and aggressive for me to ever want to be part of anything.
If I had moved to the best places I’ve lived in? Absolutely different story I suspect.
My point is, regardless of the liberal optimism, it depends on who you’re around and how you’re treated at work/where you live
EClydez@reddit
I think Apu from the Simpsons perfectly embodies what you’re looking for. He is absolutely American and still holds Indian values. Americans always admire go getters.
Trey-the-programmer@reddit
Yes, this is the point. Americans come from different backgrounds; once you become an American, you are just as American as everyone else. Well, you can't run for President, but your children eventually could.
bull0143@reddit
Yes, that is what almost all of our families did! They decided they were American one day and that's it. They were American.
greenBathMat57@reddit
Haha. Ignore those Twitter idiots. 100% you can immigrate to the USA and be an American. You will get all the good and bad that comes with it. But generally if you try to assimilate, you will succeed. People want you to.
lantana98@reddit
If I were your friend I would be delighted!
Zelidus@reddit
Yes, of course. Its the place you call home. Take pride in it when you can or feel like it. Everyone, no matter where they originally came from, should be able to take pride in whatever place they decide to call home.
Short-Personality398@reddit
Of course they can and they have many times over
altblank@reddit
yes, but it will take some time to truly integrate. also, as a first gen immigrant, you may not ever do so, depending on how much of your home country is in you.
your kids however... much easier for them.
"you can take the Indian out of India, you can't take India out of the Indian". heard this somewhere.
stopsallover@reddit
You might be thinking of policies to "take the Indian out of the Indian" or similar through forced assimilation of Native Americans. It never needed to happen.
More to the OP's question, a person can be both from India and American without contradiction or a need to change. Assimilation will happen naturally but it's not like there's a goal to lose their culture of origin.
altblank@reddit
not quite, but I understand what you're saying.
america's a pretty good melting pot of all cultures. i haven't lost my Indianism yet, but have assimilated fairly decently... been here for 20yrs. it's easy to go either way though... either by design or happenstance.
stopsallover@reddit
Ok but you should know what's referenced in phrase you half remembered.
altblank@reddit
hey, all sorts of sayings and such change over time. sometimes they're even inappropriate.
it's just a statement that may or may not make sense in a broader context. 's alright.
stopsallover@reddit
No. You have decided not to learn.
Sam_Fear@reddit
Hell yeah brother! Bring some homemade samosas to the 4th of July BBQ. The Busch Light's in the cooler over there. Malta and Jack Daniels is also an option.
Plus-Plan-3313@reddit
Yes! American is an identity open to anyone that wants to come here and live it!
DResq@reddit
I think the type of immigrant you are describing yourself as (assimilating and taking pride in America) is what all Americans want in immigrants. The ones who say that you will never be American are either just being bigoted (and in the minority) or are referring to the ones who don't assimilate.
Fight-Me-In-Unreal@reddit
Of course. It's one of the founding principles of the United States.
HeyPurityItsMeAgain@reddit
The entire point of immigration is supposed to be you become American.
adwvn@reddit
You'll be fine most people as long as you are pro-American and patriotic.
Will you be seen as fully American by 70% of America (the white population)?? ... Probably not.
But being pro American and patriotic goes a long way.
Speaking with an American accent is also helpful.
Nottacod@reddit
You can, although South Asians tend to self isolate into their own groups, possibly due to culture?
stopsallover@reddit
I don't think so. It's super easy to make S. Asian friends. If you don't have any, that's on you.
sircastor@reddit
Absolutely. If you claim the United States as your home, celebrate its achievements!
I for one, am glad you're here and proud to call you my fellow American. Thank you for making our country a broader, more beautiful place.
BurritoBowlw_guac@reddit
There are more issues with immigrants who come here and do not wish to assimilate, will defend and support their homeland over US and insult and burn American flags. Those are likely the ones being complained about
stopsallover@reddit
The people who burn American flags in the US are usually born here. The most famous cases have been people who served in the military. They were brave enough to take a stand.
Untimed_Heart313@reddit
That's in my top 10 lists for the most American things one can do
UJMRider1961@reddit
Yes. America is a “universal country.” Anybody can be an American.
Atlas7-k@reddit
Of course! Celebrate everything you want to. Participate in the holidays, eat the food, see the sights, pay the taxes… that one sucks a little.
More importantly, keep those things that you love about India. Share them with the people whom you care for. Bring an Indian dish to the potluck, invite people over to celebrate the holidays of your homeland. Accept the invitations to their celebrations. Go see a St Patrick’s day parade, attend a Catholic or Greek feast where you live.
We don’t want you to just become stereotypical Americans, we want you to become something new, a blend of the old country and the new.
GandalfTheGrey46@reddit
Well that’s dumb and racist on its face since most black Americans are descendants of slaves who have been here for centuries.
Pan_Fried_Okra@reddit
Absolutely! That’s actually kinda the whole point. People with real American values would also celebrate and appreciate your home culture as well.
MetroBS@reddit
Do yourself a favor and just get off of Twitter
spitfire451@reddit
Yes, this is the whole point of coming to live in this country. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
In the words of Ronald Reagan, anyone can become an American.
https://youtube.com/shorts/hPPB0pDS49I?si=aLouC_0WQXhuLYZc
robobot1978@reddit
Yeah bro you’re one of us. Welcome home!
PCBassoonist@reddit
Absolutely! Americans love that. They only really care when people immigrate here and then whine about how much they hate it all the time.
Hey-Bud-Lets-Party@reddit
If you embrace the country and try to assimilate you will be just as American as anyone else. Don’t let the Trump-era pigs get you down.
Delicious_Clue_531@reddit
It’s practically encouraged. Don’t listen to maniacs online.
Senpai2Savage@reddit
Yeah I have a friend from Tunisia who hated the place and it took a long ass time to get here but she did it the right way and she fits in so well I hardly notice ahes not from here until i taste her food she makes or she says bag lol kind of sounds like she adds letters like bayhg.
Gazas_trip@reddit
Hell yeah. An immigrant embracing and celebrating America is more American then some gatekeeping schmuck who just happened to be born here.
wheelsonhell@reddit
It's what we want. We want you to be one of us and adopt our culture. We don't want you to try and change what we do to match the country you left.
With that being said, bringing a nice Indian dish to the BBQ would be very welcome.
anfilco@reddit
Yeah, absolutely. Doesn't matter if your ancestors came over on the Mayflower, via the Bering Strait, or you got off a plane a few years ago. That's what America is, that's what Americans are.
People who say differently are wrong.
TheClayDart@reddit
America is a country of immigrants. Everyone who is here are byproducts of immigration. You live here, work here, shop here, pay taxes here, etc? Congrats, you’re an American in my book but I would also implore you to still also celebrate where you’re from. It’s a part of who you are.
ameis314@reddit
Not only can you, you're the bat of us. Ignore the douche bags
mumcheelo@reddit
Yes
musing_codger@reddit
Yes. I hired a few foreign nationals that went on to become great American citizens. Made me very happy. They are American in every way except that they cannot become president or vice president.
Fishhb2020@reddit
Absolutely
loveshercoffee@reddit
That you want to be a proud part of this country tells me you will be a better American than those white asshats on Twitter.
We are lucky to have you.
Necessary-Wasabi-450@reddit
The question doesn't make sense. American culture is precisely that of mass migration and different cultures.
AllReihledUp@reddit
Yes! This American is welcoming you with open arms! We are ALL immigrants in the USA, some of us have just been here longer 🙂
Fragrant-Ferret-1146@reddit
It's widely encouraged for everybody in America to view America as their own country and celebrate American achievements. America is supposed to be a melting pot of people from all around the world, so feel free to be happy and celebrate whatever you want. Celebrate the 4th of July, the moon landing, etc. We welcome you to do so.
paradisetossed7@reddit
Yep, every single person in this country who's not an immigrant, Native American, or descendant od enslaved persons are the descendants of people from all over the world who came here and decided to be American. Racists are always gonna racist, but even most of them would rather you embrace the US than not.
gwhite81218@reddit
America is made by immigrants for immigrants. I believe that is the true American spirit.
Anyone who says you’re not America are twats and anti-American.
Glad to have you here, fellow American 🇺🇸
MacnCheese1122@reddit
Yes, immigrants can be Americans and are encouraged to do so. Most people I know and have met want immigrants to embrace our country and you can absolutely do this without forgetting your home country and culture. However, many people here will and do get upset when immigrants call out this country’s shortcomings, which there are many of. But doing that doesn’t make you any less American than the people who were born here and you should never just be blindly patriotic to a place that frankly has a lot to improve on.
PlayingDoomOnAGPS@reddit
You're already more American that those scumbags.
Shoddy_Bet9619@reddit
Has been the case for...coming up on 250 years now...thus...suck it up, like the last 250 years of the said same have done...
AffectionateWay5783@reddit
Totally! My work is super diverse. All that leads to is good food all the time, new hilarious phrases to use and at the same time every can jam to the radio or chat about sports as common “American stuff”
lexi2700@reddit
Yes. My a whole side my family is very much assimilated to the point where people are surprised to learn my father wasn’t born in America. He’s been here now most of his life and loves it here. My grandmother (when she was alive) loved being an American and would always talk about how great it was.
Of course they still love their home country but it’s more of a fond memory and out of respect for the traditions and culture.
DoublePostedBroski@reddit
Yes. I mean, if that’s what you want to do. I think it has more to do with your comfort.
Depending on where you live you could get some redneck/MAGA slurs, but I doubt it.
theEWDSDS@reddit
The core tenet of America is the pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Perhaps the greatest thing about this country is that anyone can be an American. No matter your color or origin, you're more than welcome for barbecue, hot dogs and fireworks.
So yes, you're more than welcome.
Puzzleheaded_Sir800@reddit
Yes 100%, my Laos Grandmother and Korean Grandfather are the most patriotic people I’ve ever seen
theneonwind@reddit
I am by no means a believer that any one country is the best on earth. If I had to choose, it wouldn't be the United States of America. In fact, I'm trying to leave.
That being said, The United States of America is the best at assimilating people who grew up in other cultures. (For now, anyway)
It is the defining characteristic of American culture.
That's why Americans hyphenate with other cultures. You don't even have to give up being Indian.
You can be Indian-American and be as equally american as Italian-Americans or Americans who have no idea what their family's culture was before coming to America.
America's core belief is that you can become anything your heart desires and that no one person is inherently above another.
Everyone is created equal.
I believe in that concept, but also think the world works hard to make you forget it.
standardtissue@reddit
Of course you can man.
>I've seen many Americans on twitter trying to create a boundary wall between immigrants and white american
Bro, there are fucktwats everywhere. You have to just ignore them. If they get lippy ask them where their beloved presidents wife was born or their vice president's wife's family name, and then just remind them that I guess the First Lady of the United States will never be American. Let their cuntish brains get wrapped around that for a bit.
ABelleWriter@reddit
This is what America is about!! Most people here like having immigrants. Hell, most of us got here by immigration!
jim2527@reddit
Yes, it’s all up to the person. Nobody will stop you.
ClassicAdhesiveness1@reddit
IMHO: YES!!!!!
Immigrants are what keep this country going!
I wasn’t alive for our historical moments and my family came over in the late 1800 and early 1900.
I see no reason why I would have more legitimacy to celebrate the 4th of July than a person who came over later. ❤️❤️
VeronaMoreau@reddit
Supposedly that's one of the country's core cultural values. So absolutely you can. It is encouraged. The people on Twitter trying to build a wall between immigrants and ✌🏽true-born Americans✌🏽(only the white ones...they are never talking about the rest of us) are bigots and you should ignore them.
spaltavian@reddit
Yes
Suspicious_Brain_591@reddit
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Nercow@reddit
That's what being American is. It's not about being born here. It's a state of mind
duke_awapuhi@reddit
I think for the most part. People often accuse immigrants of not assimilating because they assimilate to how the country is NOW, rather than how the country was decades ago
Lobenz@reddit
For the most part - yes. But there is a caveat in that many, maybe most, Americans will never truly accept immigrants and ethnic groups that do not assimilate fully. Keeping one foot in the US and one in the old country has and will keep most Americans from fully accepting immigrants as fellow Americans.
RelativeIncompetence@reddit
If you express a desire to celebrate and learn about American culture to an American, you're likely to get more hospitality than you can handle. Even in the conservative states redditors like to regurgitate are full of nothing but anti-immigrant fascists.
Derminac@reddit
YES! That is one of the many things that makes America so great. People who say otherwise are going against the Founding Fathers themselves;
“The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.” ~George Washington
The USA has a nickname, “The Melting Pot,” which literally describes it as country where immigrants from diverse backgrounds come together to blend, assimilate, and create a single American culture. Again, that’s what makes it so great.
Mean-Concentrate-257@reddit
The whole point of America is that you can immigrate here and consider it your home and culture and take pride in the good achievements. US culture is a melting pot of tons of different cultures, which is what makes it awesome! We've really lost sight of that.
Fun_Push7168@reddit
Absolutely!
SippsMccree@reddit
Being American ain't tied to any certain race. I know for one i'd love to be there for a naturalization ceremony. Being into American culture and being proud of being a citizen is a good thing
TraumaTeamTwo2@reddit
I'm from NYC, the largest melting pot in the world. I’m also German/Irish. You are welcome here
Eric848448@reddit
I think I see the problem here.
dystopiadattopia@reddit
The general attitude is that if you're a citizen, no matter by what means, you're an American.
TraumaTeamTwo2@reddit
Welcome to America, friend.
Puzzled_Orange_6880@reddit
An immigrant has chosen America as their country of residence. You don't have to forget about your birth country, but it would be strange to NOT take pride in your chosen nations achievements.
RemotePossibility399@reddit
Yes, and I encourage newcomers to please share them! It does nothing but enrich the tapestry of American culture.
I, for one, love seeing celebrations that originated in other cultures or traditions than my own, like Diwali, Eid, Bandi Chhor Divas, Visak, Chinese New Year, and even Passover as I'm Christian (at least culturally). When I see my fellow Americans celebrate these other holidays it fills my heart as I'm reminded that we welcome all, and we are stronger and better for it.
nononomayoo@reddit
The ppl ive met that love america the most r the russians in sacramento, ca 😭 so yes
TenMoon@reddit
White person here, if you love America and are happy to be here, you're one of us. We just sent astronauts to the dark side of the moon and got them back safely. This July 4th marks 250 years. Celebrate with us. ❤️
ColdNotion@reddit
I want to share a comment I saved years ago, because I think it represents this county at its best:
Tens of thousands even hundreds of thousands of Americans are born every year around the world. They just haven't come home yet.https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAnAmerican/s/wtAds2o8aA
immortal_duckbeak@reddit
Fuck yes.
holymacaroley@reddit
Twitter is full of mega right wing people that no longer have any moderation from the app employees. Yes, there are still people on X not like that, but a lot of what you'll see is racist crap being pushed. Yes, there are some people like that proud to be racist, unfortunately. No, most people aren't as nasty and racist as that.
xscott71x@reddit
Fuck those losers. We're glad to have you.
Low_Attention9891@reddit
The people who say that non-whites and immigrants aren’t Americans are racists, don’t listen to them. If you’re living here permanently and identify as an American, you’re an American.
drunkastronomer@reddit
Once you are a citizen you are an American. Same as someone who's family's been here 300 years. celebrate our triumphs, weep for our failings.
Enjoy our holidays, introduce people to your holidays, foods, culture. We love that.
If you are here you are one of us end of story.
miketugboat@reddit
Americans are people that want to be Americans. Doesn't matter where you're born, as long as you are tolerant of other people you belong here
Life_Investigator593@reddit
As a white American whose family has been here since the Mayflower, I gotta say… Celebrate the wins, mourn the failures, try to do things so there are more of the former than the latter, be part of the collective ‘we.’ The country is better with you than without you. But also recognize that now is a dicey time for immigrants, so stay safe, protect your family, protect your community
ParrotheadTink@reddit
Yes, that’s the whole idea behind immigration. Delete your Twitter, it’s completely useless.
Automatic_Syrup_2935@reddit
America will try to sell you a myth that there's one way to be American. But those white people come from immigrants (or settler colonialists).
Their ancestors came here and were excited to call America their country with pride. Their ancestors were told that they weren't American enough, that they were inherently violent or uneducated.
The anti immigrant sentiment that's happening in the United States now is just another episode in a long series where politicians will use the anxiety around increased immigration to garner power and votes. It's not about who you are and how American you are or aren't. It's a political strategy.
And the people spouting anti-immigration sentiment online are just pawns being used in the schemes of these politicians.
iowanaquarist@reddit
Yes. The number of people here without any immigrant history is vanishingly small
Suitable_Page_7673@reddit
It probably cuts like a knife when you get a random stupid comment like that. The majority want you to be happy integrated Americans. Oh, and share your food and culture. Oh and help us pay the taxes.
Several-Buy-3017@reddit
The beauty of America is that anyone can come here from anywhere in the world, and as long as you follow our laws, accept our customs and values, and speak English, then you can proudly call yourself an American.
Those who don’t do the three things I listed are half-stepping.
SabresBills69@reddit
understand online/ social media people tend to show their true selves vs how they are in person.
ive seen this where I am from. in the 50s-70s many were anti blacks, Asians and those from Latin America tend to be concentrated in parts of the country. many were o early racists if blacks moved in their neighborhood and tried to scare them away . they would be very overt. my town had a 9 pm siren go off which signaled for the blacks to get out of town. thry didn’t finally shut this off till late 90s.
in my generation ( Gen X) my town turned overt racism to internal racism. they would say their true feeling around who they think feel the same. the vbarriers moved from not sitting next to them in restaurants / buses to be able to work with them but not socialize with them outside of work and not want them in their neighborhood unless they were wealthy.
you see this with trump now. he only respects blacks if they are wealthy, doctors, lawyers, business executives. etc.
a lot of this depends on where you lived and grew up. I wasn’t raised that way. my dad taught in an inner city school that was heavy minority/ 1st generation kids ( ESLs)
part of the country have been well intergratedvovervthevyears so there will be no issue. you go to a place like Iowa which is mostly white except for parts of Des Moines or college towns ( Ames, Iowa city) you will be looked at as an outsider by most.
you say thus with the ICE/ immigration scandal where with many it’s about NIMBYism where folks in their community who has lived there a long time they accept but some stranger is not treated the same. with the myamat minority Muslim population people hear would defend them thst they shouldn’t be persecuted for their religious views, but they don’t want them here in their backyard.
OK_Stop_Already@reddit
Yeah that's where the White Supremacists congregate, and 90% of them are bots.
Anyway, yes. A good example are the Mississippi Delta Chinese community. It's like a perfect example of what you're talking about. I know there's more examples, but that's the first that comes to my mind as a local example.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NMrqGHr5zE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkn_YrEbtMM&t=6s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLVN8KBcnGQ
Lovemybee@reddit
This will probably get lost/buried in the comments, but here goes.
``You can go to live in France, but you cannot become a Frenchman. You can go to live in Germany or Turkey or Japan, but you cannot become a German, a Turk, or Japanese. But anyone, from any corner of the Earth, can come to live in America and become an American.'' ~ Ronald Reagan
RemotePossibility399@reddit
Yes!
Rum_Running_Sailor@reddit
Yes! It's encouraged for legal immigrants to embrace American culture and American ways of life. It doesn't mean you have to forget your culture. Americans are generally pretty curious and they'll ask you questions about what it's like to live in India. Just remember, don't try to make America like your country, and don't try to make Americans follow the customs of your country. That's the opposite of assimilation. This was a really good question that you asked!
Pitiful_Bunch_2290@reddit
Some of the most patriotic and proud Americans I've seen are immigrants!
Littleboypurple@reddit
Honestly Dude, it's better to stay away from Twitter. None of those Accounts are worth acknowledging and many aren't even actual genuine Americans but, just fake bots/propaganda mouth pieces that are intentionally starting shit in order to farm engagement so they can make money.
All that matters to real actual Americans is one thing "Do you consider yourself an American?" If the answer is Yes, you are an American. Fuck what anybody else says
hbh110@reddit
You should ask yourself this question because you’re an American.
Vivid_Wings@reddit
Twitter is not real life and being an American is something anyone from anywhere in the world can theoretically do! We are a melting pot of people from all over. In my opinion, you don't have to give up your culture or stop being proud of your origin country, either. As others have said, even many conservatives approve of immigrants from anywhere in the world celebrating America and American successes.
But for most of us, we love to see people come here and bring parts of their culture with them. My grandparents came from the Netherlands after WWII. I'm American culturally but I have pride in my heritage as both an American and the descendants of Dutch immigrants. My family follows some Dutch traditions and eats some Dutch foods. I love seeing cultural festivals from all over the world celebrated in my city, and how diverse the 4th of July celebrations are. Where I live in CA there are a lot of Indian folks- my closest grocery store is an Indian grocery store, actually. Indian food (a variety of regional foods too) is a staple out here for restaurants.
Our government is currently very hostile to immigrants and immigration, but they are, IMO, wrong, and also the majority of Americans think that the administration is not handling immigration well.
Exlanadre@reddit
In elementary school, I had a friend who was from Venezuela. By senior year he was doing donuts in the parking lot flying a Confederate Flag on his jeep. (We had not been friends in a long time)
Vyckerz@reddit
There are immigrants who don't try to assimilate. They try to keep their culture and don't respect things. I think those are the types that garner that kind of reaction.
My family were all legal immigrants. I was one of the first born in this country. My family fully assimilated very quickly. They learned the language, got jobs, didn't get on social programs etc... They are proud of this country and have a lot of respect for it. I was raised to be patriotic to the US.
1337b337@reddit
You're reading nonsense being said by ignorant racists; please ignore them.
Just because the Europeans who first founded this country were White doesn't mean this country was made FOR White people.
Rocket1575@reddit
Yea, hell yeah you can. THATS, exactly what being an American is. Come here for the opportunity, stay for the kick ass, world superpower, they hate us cause they aint us attitude. Wave Old Glory, listen to some Lynyrd Skynyrd, celebrate everything from the Revolutionary war to the moon landing.
Glad your here!
Smokinsumsweet@reddit
That's the true spirit of America. Please do and fuck anyone who says differently.
Unhappy_Performer538@reddit
Yes, though as you can imagine, MAGA people may not agree. But in general the consensus is yes
JayRandom212@reddit
Even if the ink is still wet on your naturalization papers, you're as much an American as someone whose ancestors came here on the Mayflower.
Maybe even more so...because you're here by CHOICE and not by ACCIDENT.
JohnSmith19731973@reddit
Americans of all stripes want you to assimilate. Please celebrate!
BoBoBearDev@reddit
I am first gen Asian immigrant into USA at age 16 with 2nd grade English proficiency.
1) the majority of your question is a you problem. I have no problem being an American, and I am naturalized and am happy to be citizen of USA. And I have zero issues adapting western cultures (except Reddit culture).
2) about how other people view me. I have not experienced disrespect. I treat other people with respect, I smile. They smile back. I personally don't have home-country supremacy. I recognize smart Americans. I don't disrespect people who didn't memorize the world map. I don't look down upon people who couldn't do calculus.
3) about having bff. I currently don't have one. I am too lazy to do it. I play SP video game. When someone try to initiate interactions with me on Forza Horizon, I teleport myself away. So, I don't know how hard to get a bff. But I will be frank here, we are not entitled to be a token diversity bff.
ericbythebay@reddit
Once you become a citizen, you are an American. There aren’t tiers.
MrBillyLotion@reddit
There’s obviously a small but vocal minority who might not consider immigrants as apple pie as those of us born here, but the vast majority of Americans (I believe, I hope) are stoked to see recent immigrants get down with our national thing, ideally you can party at Diwali in November and hit the bbq on the 4th of July, you can have it all
Meilingcrusader@reddit
Not only can you but people will actively like you more if you do
Footnotegirl1@reddit
Yes. Very much yes, that is the way that it is supposed to be. We are a nation of immigrants.
Twitter is a poisonous cesspool of right wing bigotry.
asteriskelipses@reddit
Yes. Immigrants were and still are a building block for the US
CatRiot2020@reddit
Welcome! Celebrate your birth culture and your new one.
HDRsoul@reddit
My grandparents certainly did.
Aquarius_K@reddit
I don't think this will be an issue anytime soon but yes you absolutely can! You're here participating. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
WokeUpIAmStillAlive@reddit
If you become a citizen... then you are american
MichigaCur@reddit
As a proud American born and raised. My my ancestors came here to be Americans, not German Americans or Dutch Americans or whatever Americans... Just Americans, to celebrate and live as Americans.
So I humbly extend an invitation to become an American, live as an American and to be proud that you are now an American. In fact based on other immigrants I know, I'd say you're more than just the average American, because you chose to become an American. Wear it with pride and screw anyone who says differently.
Ok-Race-1677@reddit
Yes just don’t encourage the caste system
GhostOfJamesStrang@reddit
I have never heard anybody say anything like this in my life. Not to a person. Not on social media. Nothing.
You should surround yourself with better people.
amvent@reddit
In the TV show Mo, his Palestinian friend marries a Texan girl and becomes extremely overly patriotic. The Americans don't bat an eye at this, I think it's pretty true to life
ChirrBirry@reddit
Millions and millions have already and do so all the time. There’s certain immigrants who seem to have a harder time doing so, and enclaves sometimes discourage integration by providing an environment that is more similar to the place they came from.
nalonrae@reddit
Honestly, there's nothing more American than immigrating to America.
RightFlounder@reddit
Hell yeah!
MostAsk855@reddit
100% you will be as American as someone who’s great great great great great grandpa fought the English for our independence.
Small-Sample7733@reddit
that's literally what america is all about. some racist people try to say otherwise but that's the whole culture.
Small-Sample7733@reddit
plus don't trust twitter, twitter is basically only racist far right people (not to offend republicans, as many are not racist)
ITrCool@reddit
Yes absolutely!! The idiots on social media who try to claim the contrary don't know what they're talking about. America is built from immigrants over the 2.5 centuries it's existed. Even the colonies were built through immigrants coming over from across the seas.
Move on over here, get your green card, assimilate, and join the party! Pursue your citizenship and enjoy life here!
4LOLz4Me@reddit
If it helps, those people probably don’t have any diverse friends. I have friends who immigrated from all over the world and I welcome all in July 4th celebrations.
Melinoe2016@reddit
I don’t see why not. The rest of us celebrating them weren’t present for them.
lokland@reddit
That’s widely believed to be the model immigrant mindset in mainstream American culture.
golfandhistory1@reddit
Hell yeah you can
Twitter isn’t real, it’s bots and boosting far right accounts
Apprehensive-Pop-201@reddit
Absolutely. As long as you aren't hurting other people , I welcome you with open arms.
gard3nwitch@reddit
If you'd like to, sure. A lot of folks are struggling to feel pride in the US's achievements rights now.
DontReportMe7565@reddit
Dude, you know the online world isn't the real world. But if you celebrate us (and you didn't break any laws to get here), then we celebrate you.
storywardenattack@reddit
Helll yess brother!!
Imaginary_Ladder_917@reddit
Absolutely celebrate being one of us.
breadlyplateau@reddit
Literally the reason why this country was made. For people like you. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Fuck this government but I love this land.
genericuser_12345@reddit
Yeah, this isn’t Japan or Turkey.
Apprehensive-Read989@reddit
I would prefer this and I think many feel the same. In my experience, the problem immigrants are ones that refuse to assimilate into their new country, regardless of what country they are coming from and going to.
AchtungCloud@reddit
110% you can.
X is a white supremacy bot site.
Comfortable-Race-547@reddit
Twitter isn't real, its all fake/rage/engagement bait. You become an American and I'll let you borrow my 10mm
EgoSenatus@reddit
America is a nationality, not a race or ethnicity.
Once you get your citizenship, you’re as American as any flag touting white guy. If you want to support America and American culture and ideals as a non citizen, I don’t think anyone will realistically try to stop you.
Tough_Tangerine7278@reddit
Yes absolutely celebrate if you wish :)
Don’t let some X haters determine your happiness
Lefaid@reddit
Yes, or at least, more so than most places, especially of they are from Europe.
thomasjmarlowe@reddit
Yes
Also, Twitter has become primarily a platform for Neo-Nazis. Please disregard opinions there as anything but a reflection on that
Original-Locksmith58@reddit
Yes, that’s actually the preference for most Americans - including white ones. The consternation comes from when immigrants come here and then celebrate their wins as Indian, Mexican, etc.
LAWriter2020@reddit
The United States is a country based on ideas and ideals, not race, religion or ethnic background. All citizens are Americans to me, and I'm proud to have them be my fellow citizens, whether they were lucky enough to be born here as a "white American" like I was, or chose to come here and legally became a citizen from anywhere else in the world, regardless of their ethnicity.
StrayCat2799@reddit
I think this idea is what America was founded on no matter what small minded nativists say. As much as I loathe Reagan he did have a good quote on this. "You can't go to China and become Chinese and you can't go to Germany and become German butbyou can come to America and be American."
Paraphrasing because I don't remember the exact quote.
Phish_2000@reddit
Yes.
IAmMey@reddit
That’s how immigrants are supposed to work. This is your home now. Treat this place like your home, and we’ll treat you like you’re one of us.
needsmorequeso@reddit
One of the things I like about this place is that it is infinitely customizable. You can speak any language, celebrate whatever holiday (though I gotta say it’s easier when you are into Thanksgiving and Christmas because more employers give time off to everyone), eat whatever food, etc. You can be you and be American.
9BALL22@reddit
There are strong, divided opinions on this matter. The divide has grown wider in recent years. Where you choose to reside makes a huge difference, it's not a good time to be a brown immigrant (or even a brown citizen) in the US right now.
S4ntos19@reddit
Yep, I'm proof. I wasnt born here but I have a huge amount of patriotic pride.
upvoter222@reddit
People on Twitter are saying dumb, racist stuff? Stop the presses. /s
Guinnessron@reddit
YES!!! It’s when you don’t do that when many of us take issue.
IainwithanI@reddit
Yes, you can. You are an American, and probably a better citizen than the people who say you aren’t American.
BoomerSooner-SEC@reddit
Absolutely. You can come to my house for a BBQ!
used-to-have-a-name@reddit
You are welcome in America and can celebrate our achievements and criticize our faults just like any other American.
Even those reactionaries online are mostly just fine with immigrants as long as you follow the rules and assimilate.
While you may never feel fully assimilated as a first-generation immigrant, your children will most definitely.
msh0430@reddit
Of course, absolutely. Probably one of the most American things anyone can do
Mistletokes@reddit
Yes we love you
megaladon6@reddit
Thats the point of america! Amd here assimilation generally means keeping .much of your culture.
ihaveajob79@reddit
Yes. Screw those idiots. They don’t know what they’re talking about.
andddmiller@reddit
I feel like since immigration is such a core part of the American story, you have more right than anyone to feel “American” - congratulations, you can celebrate your heart out 🎉🥳
DriverFirm2655@reddit
Yes, you can. And anyone who says otherwise needs a history lesson, and a swift kick to the sternum
Lance-Boyle-666@reddit
The people whose ancestors lost the Civil War are still clinging to their white supremacy because in about 20 years, there will be no official majority in the US. At that time, everyone will be a minority. White people will still be the largest group, but they will be less than 50% of the population, and that means the mediocre white guys won't be the majority, and that scares them so they are doing everything they can to forestall that day. Those who are Americans by choice have just as much reason to celebrate America as those who call themselves "Heritage Americans" and whose family trees only have one or two branches.
probridgedweller@reddit
That’s pretty much how it goes for a lot of people.
My grandfather for example.
washtucna@reddit
Yes! Absolutely!
2_minutes_hate@reddit
Absolutely, but there are caveats. Think about the most racist person you know at home, and understand that we have some of those, too.
Felinius@reddit
Twitter is a hivemind that can’t understand that everyone here, is an American. It’s like a salad, everything comes together to be greater than the sum of it’s parts, but everything still has it’s own flavors that are distinct.
It’s also why a lot of people that immigrate here choose to identify as “[whatever ancestry]-American”.
At least that’s how I see it, I’d call it my “two cents” but between inflation and the penny being discontinued…
KarmaticFox@reddit
Of course you can.
Your birth country will always be special to you and no one can take that away. You chose to become a U.S citizen and that does not mean that you can't celebrate. This country will also be special to you in due time.
Enjoy your home. You deserve it. :)
Revolutionary-Cup954@reddit
Im not saying I dont believe you, but ive never seen someone express the sentiment of you'll never really be American at an immigrant being proud of America or its achievements.
I love when immigrants embrace being American, as opposed to staying in an insular community around nothing but people from back home and not being part of society at large. If someone gives you shit for being proud to be American, its probably because they are a loser
lalachef@reddit
You live here. You eat, breathe, and talk shit like an American. You are one of us. Don't let anybody tell you different.
As long as you don't use the metric system, we don't tolerate that bullshit.
PressxStart@reddit
Absolutely. You are American!
Invisibleolderwoman@reddit
Yes. The majority of Americans would welcome you. Just know there are racists in every state but you will find your people. My (we’re white) brother married an Indian woman and I adore her and her whole family. Our country is having a crazy time right now with immigration and human rights. You probably know more than we do
MartyPhelps@reddit
Of course. That’s the whole point.
Ok-Law7641@reddit
Please do! We're all a bunch of mutts celebrating the same thing whether people admit it or not.
5hallowbutdeep@reddit
Absolutely 💯
stevestephensteven@reddit
Hell yeah brother. And I can also come to my annual local diwali festival with my kids and eat Indian food and watch dancing. Everybody wins.
blacksky8192@reddit
Pretty much everyone in America is immigrant. The history itself will answer this question, no brainer. I'm also first gen immigrant. Ignore the insane people on twitter
HeavyDutyForks@reddit
Yes of course
In fact some of the most "American" Americans I've known were immigrants. They came here, worked hard, and loved the country. Unlike a lot of the self hating Americans who were born here
JasminJaded@reddit
The real demonstration of the “American Dream.”
Classic_Principle756@reddit
Yes absolutely
Useful-Badger-4062@reddit
If you’re a naturalized American, I welcome you as a fellow citizen and we can celebrate the same American things and achievements together. Yes, you are one of us now. Don’t let a racist bigot tell you anything different, u/sggfd1213
IKnowItCanSeeMe@reddit
I would love it if you did. No offense to anyone, but many Indian people in my area act like it's such a burden to be here. If I were to go to India (or anywhere), I would do my best to appreciate and learn about the culture.
But, I will say the few that I've seen try to enjoy it here, seem like they're really having fun. Riding motorcycles, camping, there's one guy up the street that's trying to restore some classic cars, and they actually talk to time people around them. They seem to be getting along wonderfully here.
Ok-Possibility-9826@reddit
not only is it possible, it’s encouraged and preferred.
Etherbeard@reddit
Yes, absolutely you can, and--to be blunt--anyone who says you can't is a racist piece of shit.
To be from somewhere else and become American, to take your culture and adapt it to life in America is what America is all about in its most idealistic form.
bigcheez69420@reddit
In my opinion YES, I love it when people sort of “adopt” whatever country they move to, US or otherwise.
Some of us are born in America, others actively choose it. The latter feels quite patriotic and American to me! I’m glad to have ya.
IthurielSpear@reddit
Those “people” you’re seeing on Twitter aren’t real. That is certainly not how real Americans feel, not even the white ones. Anyone who emigrates here is welcomed by the majority of people.
BeerJunky@reddit
When we have an achievement I’ll let you know. Right now we are walking back 40 years of foreign policy.
Cinisajoy2@reddit
Twitter is not the general public. Please enjoy our celebrations.
the-quibbler@reddit
Yes, it's the standard desire of our American melting pot. We want nothing more than for people to come to America, follow our laws, and help build our vibrant country.
No_Entertainment1931@reddit
All Americans are immigrants at some point in their family history.
This is something that’s forgotten by the current administration (third generation)
daveashaw@reddit
My parents got here in 1956, from South Africa, and became citizens as soon as they could.
Welcome.
Greedy_Car3702@reddit
Absolutely! You are the kind of immigrant the country wants and needs.
honey_biscuits108@reddit
I’d wager that many immigrants are the most patriotic and productive Americans among us.
jacowab@reddit
Twitter is not reality, other than the rare racist (they exist in every county not just the US) no one cares where you came from.
I mena if you immigrate to America and your constantly talking about how much you hate it then lots of people will get pissed off but if it's the opposite then people will love it.
Jernbek35@reddit
Yes, once you get that citizenship, you’re one of us.
ophelias_tragedy@reddit
Of course!!! Social media isn’t real life. Everyone who wants to be an American can be one :)
Fenrir1020@reddit
If you're a US Citizen by birth or by naturalization then you're an American. America doesn't really have any one culture, it's a melting pot. The most American thing you can do is be yourself and find your own community.
As for celebrating America's achievements you can absolutely do that if that's something that interests you and it's not something you need to be American to do.
97PG8NS@reddit
Twitter is not the real world and it certainly doesn't reflect the real American. It's apparent to me that you love this country, genuinely want to be here and want to make it and see it become a better place. Join in the fun, celebrate our victories and be proud to be an American.
mckenzie_keith@reddit
Yes. Also, you can observe traditions from your birth country and still be 100 percent american (USAian).
I know when I visited Fiji, Diwali was a big celebration. If that is something your family celebrated when you were in India, you can celebrate it here and it will not make you any less American.
In San Jose, every year, there is a giant Tet festival at the time of the lunar New Year. Because San Jose has a large population of Vietnamese immigrants.
By the way, some of the most patriotic Americans I have ever met are ones who fled Vietnam after the war. Or their kids.
queerkidxx@reddit
If you live in the US and feel comfortable with that label, you’re American. End of story. Anyone who says otherwise sucks.
You don’t have to assimilate, abandon your culture, or anything like that. In fact you shouldn’t. Being American is a civil identity and has nothing to do with culture. And for better or for worse it’ll sink into you. And it’s important to work to maintain that culture for yourself and your kids.
But Americans live in the US.
mustang51k@reddit
Idiots are amplified online, don’t let them tell you what you can’t do. If it looks like you are trying then you’ll be accepted 99.9…% of the time no matter what side they are on.
ScoutRiderVaul@reddit
Hell Yeah, thats America my brother. I would say immigrates who go through the entire process are more American then the those who were born here.
ThatKaleidoscope3388@reddit
Immigrants who assimilate and become citizens are American, full stop.
stopstopimeanit@reddit
These people you’re talking about are bigots.
retrofrenchtoast@reddit
Yes! This is your country. You are American. I’m glad you’re here.
People on twitter aren’t the voice of America.
Mammoth_Ad_4806@reddit
It can be dependant on where in the US you live. An area that is more homogenous and doesn't tend to have many transplants is going to be a different experience than a big city or inner suburb. An area with an historically large immigrant population, like NYC for example, no one cares where your from, how well you speak English, your immigration status, what your religion is, whatever; you're a NYer (ipso facto, an American, too) because you live here.
AnybodySeeMyKeys@reddit
Those people are idiots. To be American is to be part of an idea, not an ethnicity. Yes, we're not perfect in that regard, but that's the ideal towards which we strive.
The minute you take that oath of citizenship, you're as American as someone whose family has been here for generations.
nope-its@reddit
Yes.
My best friend is British and does this. It’s fine and is the point of the US and what it historically stands for.
BirdAndWords@reddit
You absolutely can, but you also don’t need to sacrifice your own culture or heritage to do so. Anyone who says otherwise or says “you’ll never be American” are assholes and likely bigots. Those fools don’t get to decide who is American enough
lemonpepperpotts@reddit
Yes, and like someone who converts to a new religion, I find immigrants to be even more patriotic, speaking as a second-generation immigrant. Statistically more likely to be a dutiful, law-abiding citizen than someone whose family has been here for generations actually
two-peas-in-a-pod@reddit
My husbands grandmother came from Germany 70 something years ago. She remembers half the questions from the test for citizenship and I don’t even know half the answers. If you accept the country as your own and become a citizen, then you’re American enough for me.
machagogo@reddit
Yes. My Italian grandparents, and my Hispanic in laws are proof in my exlerience.
Vorpal_Bunny19@reddit
Welcome to America, neighbor! Obviously I can’t speak for everyone, but I’m so glad you’re here :) Once you come over, start contributing to society in whatever ways you have available, and make yourself part of the community then you’re as American as apple pie in my book.
Meowmeowmeow31@reddit
Twitter was never an exact reflection of American public opinion, but it really, really isn’t anymore.
Jumpingyros@reddit
Yes of course. Once you’re an American you’re an American.
Yes unfortunately we do have a problem with gutter racists in this country. We’re working on it but it’s a process. Please be patient.
Joerugger@reddit
Don’t believe the trolls on Twitter, they aren’t real Americans. You sound like a real American. Be proud of the positive things we collectively do together.
PrudentBell5751@reddit
Yes, my father is British and has lived here for 50 years and is one of the most American people I know. People are shocked when they find out hes british.
LiberalTomBradyLover@reddit
That’s what it’s all about. As far as I’m concerned, if you move here permanently, you’re an American.
ElectricTurtlez@reddit
Twitter isn’t the real world.
Brief-First@reddit
Yes, please do!!! It's becoming rare that the US as whole does something good, so when it does, everyone here- residents, tourists, or other countries are welcome to celebrate.
Aggravating_Isopod19@reddit
Shoot, I’m an American and would love to be able to celebrate my country, but sadly there is nothing to celebrate these days.
I would consider anyone who immigrated and made a life here a citizen and deserving of all that comes with that title.
BoldBoimlerIsMyHero@reddit
In my community, I don't think anyone would think it's weird. I have friends from other countries that celebrate Thanksgiving and Fourth of July. We don't really hold Fourth of July (Independence Day) with reverence anymore. It's more like an excuse for fireworks, bbq, and drinking than a day to contemplate the War for Independence.
BlueMoonsJunes@reddit
Absolutely and yes it’s encouraged!!
litone420420024@reddit
Yes, we’d prefer it if that happened
Odd-End-1405@reddit
We used to be called the melting pot for a reason. We encouraged our newer residents to embrace the “American Dream” and become entrenched in our country while adding their culture to our vastness and enriching us.
Unfortunately lately, a fairly vocal minority of our population has felt they can speak for all of us and gatekeep what it is truly be “an American”.
Do not let them influence you. Welcome to the US and thank you for embracing it.
buffilosoljah42o@reddit
If I saw anyone reppin the usa on the 4th of July, It wouldn't really matter who it is, we'd be on the same page in that moment.
DrunkPanda77@reddit
Americans are born all over the world, they just haven’t all come home yet
MadCityVelovangelist@reddit
My mother is in a club called Daughters of The American Revolution. If they can take credit for something their ancestor did 8 generations ago, so can immigrants.
Smart_Engine_3331@reddit
It's definitely possible. Not all Americans are assholes. A lot of our great stuff was created by people born in other countries.
Sea-Soup-290@reddit
You absolutely can and it’s one of the beautiful things about American culture. Ignore the bots and online trolls.
Any-Investment5692@reddit
Kinda yea.. However.. I'm Italian American. The trauma of rejecting and discrimination has left its mark on my family. Its we arrived in America in 1920.. Its been 106 years. We consider ourselves Italian first, American second. Last year i ran into an issue being Italian at my church. I pass as white yet culturally their are issues. So yes I'm happy for the victories that are done in America. However i see America as part of the west and consider myself a westerner. I look at all achievements from any nation as an overall good for humanity. With that speaking.. I do feel American yet i know i will never be fully accepted. Even though i pass as white. Once i share my Italian family history.. Things get weird. I know for sure my Italian relatives with dark olive skin who pass for mexican, arab or Greek. They have even more issues. So i try t look for the Good in America and ignore the bad. Their is more good than bad but when bad shows up it stinks up to high heaven.
FunkIPA@reddit
Those people are racist bigots, and might not even be people at all but just bots.
I was born in the United States, as were both of my parents and 3 of their parents. I believe, and it’s the truth, that any person can move here and become an American. And that person can be proud of the good that’s been done by the USA, but also call out the bad.
ophaus@reddit
That's the idea on paper, but not everyone got the memo. There are plenty of racist assholes who will not consider you an American, but they are thankfully pretty obvious.
AdelleDeWitt@reddit
Of course.
Donutordonot@reddit
Yes 100%! It’s seriously one of best things about being American. Also share your culture with us. Most of us love learning about other areas and cultures. Even better when it involves food…or i could just be fat but still food please.
As a white American please don’t confuse racist with the rest of us.
papisilla@reddit
Do you hold a us passport? If so you are an American who is overthinking it
DonegalBrooklyn@reddit
Absolutely. I know some Russian immigrants who are the proudest Americans.
dth1717@reddit
One of us, one of us
pmyourhotmom@reddit
Yup melting pot baby. Celebrate away my dude
MovieAshamed4140@reddit
Depends on how you view your life in America. We are a nation of immigrants. We are made of cultures so varied it’s wonderful for most of us. I enjoy learning about what makes my country so special. I will be thrilled to be what we were and believe wholeheartedly in Emma Lazarus poem on our Statue of Liberty. I will never give up hope for our best and brightest period.
Fun-Dragonfly-4166@reddit
yes. you do not even have to immigrate. i read about some south africans inexplicably celebrating america. we are not sending a military force to stop them.
also if you do immigrate and dont want to celebrate you dont have to
igwaltney3@reddit
Yes absolutely you can. Welcome home, beers are in the cooler and the grill is on out back, what's your preference?
textbookamerican@reddit
I admire your patriotism!! Welcome to America our home. Glad to have you
theboyqueen@reddit
You can, but patriotism is fucking stupid. Why get suckered into it?
Col_GB_Setup@reddit
It’s what you should be doing
stoolprimeminister@reddit
yup
bjot@reddit
in my experience the most patriotic people tend to be naturalized citizens. the only people who question it are ignorant, racist, low IQ assholes. if you chose to come here for whatever reason and pay taxes like everyone else then yes celebrate as much as you want. its yours too.
CowEmotional5101@reddit
Absolutely. Anybody can be an American. Its what makes this country so great.
WrestleBox@reddit
Anyone who comes to America and contributes postively to society should be welcomed with open arms.
SubstantialPressure3@reddit
Of course you can.
America is a nation of immigrants.
https://youtu.be/5ZQl6XBo64M?si=NMlpQTFcuT28gaux schoolhouse rock great American melting pot
These-Ad5332@reddit
Of course! No one gets to tell you that you can't be proud of your country.
MissAnthropic123@reddit
Yes absolutely! That’s exactly what you should do. We need people like you.
oneislandgirl@reddit
Of course they can!
Henry_Fleischer@reddit
There are weird nationalists/racists, especially on Twitter, who will say that about anybody that's not from here, or not white, or not cisgender, or right-wing, etc.
Clean-Turnip5971@reddit
If you live, work, and pay your taxes in a place then that place is your home. No one gets to decide who is and isn't American based on their own arbitrary criteria, although that doesn't mean they won't try. Just know that there are way more people in the US who are welcoming and friendly than the loud ones who aren't.
Intelligent-Rip-2270@reddit
Yes you can. There will be people who will make statements like the one you saw, but there are plenty of people that will welcome you with open arms. Before I retired, I worked with three people from India. They were all US citizens, and I never thought of them as anything, but US citizens. Personally, I enjoy meeting people from other countries and other cultures whether that is in the US or in their country. So if you move to the US, let me be the first to say welcome.
justhere4freesnacks@reddit
Heck, yes.
RemarkableRiver9961@reddit
Absofuckinglutely
GSilky@reddit
Of course! Also, if you are an American citizen, your history is now American history.
DrDirt90@reddit
We are living proof!
MaryOutside@reddit
My fellow American, hell yes you can.
LivermushEater@reddit
Absolutely. It gives some of us the feel goods when we see this.
awfulcrowded117@reddit
Absolutely. This country needs more immigrants like that. We need more Americans like that for that matter. Twitter isn't real life.