The other aspect of American identity worth focusing on is the concept of America as a nation of immigrants. That certainly is a partial truth. But it is often assumed to be the total truth.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
The essence of America - that which really unites us - is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion - it is an idea - and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things.
I think that much of the truth has been withheld from the American people.
One of the great pluses of being an immigrant is you get to start again in terms of your identity. You get to shed the narratives which cling to you.
The American story is a story of immigration. I would be the last person who would say immigrants are not important to America.
National identity is something that's directly connected to our personal experiences and the decisions we make, the roads we decide to take at certain points in our life.
I try to be as honest as I possibly can about the contradictions within my own heart and thereby get to something 'true' and revealing and important about contemporary American culture and human nature.
A racial or religious or tribal identity is a kind of fact.
When I think of my work, I'm aware that I'm American and African at all points and times. And without a doubt, my experience and understanding of America was shaped by having immigrant parents.
Human identity is the most fragile thing that we have, and it's often only found in moments of truth.
Thus, biologically speaking the American people are literally only half an immigrant people.
No opposing quotes found.