How do YOU define an American?

Yes, Berkeley, I'm posing this question to you: How do you define being American? I ask because that was the question that was posed to us this week in Sociology. And of course, the topic of the presidential inauguration came up, and what it will mean in terms of this society. But what being an American means to me is adapting to, or being born into, the culture of this country, even while retaining your own. However, we found that there are many people who define this differently.

For instance, some in the Americas (Central and South) would consider themselves American, though not being a part of the United States of America. When you think about it, this makes sense; otherwise, what good would it do to call those continents America? But some feel that only those born and bred in this country are truly American, and that anyone else is a foreigner or a visitor. So we can see that we have any number of varying opinions on this topic.

I truly feel, however, that anyone who is a citizen of the United States (whether born into it or applied for it) is an American. The Pledge of Allegiance proclaims "liberty and justice for all"--not just a select few.