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What It Means To Be An American

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The idea of what an American is can be different for everyone. It all depends on perspective. Through my experiences and research I have a better grasp on what I think it means to be an American. With stories and letters, such as Equiano, Of Plymouth Plantation, and Letters from Columbus, an American is one who has a desire for success, money, power, and freedom. It is through the stories of the past that provide proof to that statement.

In the story of Equiano, slaves were brought to America, to fulfill America’s need for power and money, but the story also shows the desire for freedom. Equiano was a young boy who was ripped out of Nigeria and transported by boat to be sold as a slave in America. He suffered the long, awful boat ride, and

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