"What makes us American?" the teacher asked
and tenth period global history exploded with ideas.
"McDonald's," said Dillon, "and obesity!"
"Ignorance towards the rest of the world!" someone cried.
"Teen pregnancy and general lack of common sense."
Confused, then, I raised my hand.

"I've been American since before I was born,
and I identify with nothing that was said. Do you?
Last time I checked, McDonald's is a global franchise,
obesity is a worldwide phenomenon,
and should you have lived in another country, you very likely
would have ran a family of four at age 12.

"What makes us American is our freedom
to criticize our country and have a conversation like this.
What makes us American is our freedom
to fly colors other than red, white, and blue, although I never would.
What makes us American is our freedom
to break barriers and expectations, and our responsibility to do so.
What makes us American is our freedom
to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What makes us American is our freedom,
and our freedom to go elsewhere and lose all of it.
What makes us American is the love for our country,
the desire to live here, and the honor of being free."

I rest my case.

They all clapped and cheered, like good Americans should.