What it Means to be an American | Sarah Jane O'Connor | TEDxDeerfield 

you are more than we ever expected and better than we ever imagined... so proud, sweetheart❤️mom

This was an amazing speech! I referred to this while writing in a discussion board for my english class on being American. So, thank you for your help! xD

I have figured it out! I have figured out what it means to be American: To be American is to be deeply insecure about your sense of national identity. To question "what it means to be {insert nationality here}?" is a distinctly American question. A Japanese person doesn't question what it means to be Japanese. And a Polish person doesn't question what it means to be Polish. This national insecurity is a distinctly American phenomena. And what is the easiest and most effective means to reassure yourself that you are in fact truly American and thereby ease this poignant insecurity? Our speaker here does it in the video! Claim that some other force or group in American society is being "Un-American", in order to contrast it with your own supposed "American-ness". The nativist she speaks so poorly of said this of immigrants. They are "Un-American" and as such don't belong here. But our speaker is literally doing the same thing, condemning these nativist as "Un-American". Which makes this speech, oddly enough, a very American speech. This speech was very well done and very thoughtful, and I enjoyed watching it. But I will respectfully disagree at some points, particularly the part in which she condemns nativists as "Un-American" racists. Then again, it would be fundamentally "Un-American" to refuse to condemn others as being "Un-American".

Wonderful speech, I was thinking of this question and came upon this video, she nails it when she says immigrants are as much a part of this nations history as the original settlers. Just think of all the technology, infrastructure and ideas that might not have been if we turned away foreigners. As a third generation American whose great grandfather came to this country in desperation, I’m proud to be here and I thank my great grandfather for giving us that opportunity.

Awe inspiring and amazing. I had to share your speech with people near and far. Especially abroad where people's faith in the American people is starting to fade. Your speech gives hope, that the future of America will be in better hands with our youths. Let's just not wreck it before you guys are ready to take over.

you are more than we ever expected and better than we ever imagined..YOU ARE AN AMERICAN !!! GOD BLESS ALL AMERICANS

I agree with her on many points but, Trump isn’t attacking legal immigration, but trying to protect America from illegal immigrations, according to the Washington post illegal immigrant cost the taxpayers 750 billion dollars 6 times more than deportation. Why put Americans under this economic strain rather than having them come legally and lawfully.

Wow. Thank you for this.

beautiful presentation

I wonder if her opinion has changed 5 years later?

Amazing presentation!!! Keep up the good work.

Great job! The presentation was well crafted and inspiring.

Patriotism is also a social construct that one should not cling too tightly imo. Just bee a good person and don't desstroy anything while you are at it.

thats interesting heheh she started getting very sassy for some reason and is entertaining...i dont mean this in a weird pervy way

Well, the first thing I think is that there is a lot of ignorance in thinking that America is a country. America is a continent and where the most widely spoken language is Spanish. I think it is time to have things clearer. And even more so now that there is information at your fingertips. And if someone really wants to know what it means to be American, they should visit at least 20 countries on the continent.

What an excellent job. I love to see our young women standing up as leaders!

this video will be my main source for this essay

Good job 👏

What is a foreigner? Is it someone who is a different race, or speaks a different first language, or traveled here from a far away land? No. It is someone who doesn't understand our culture, customs, and country. Acidemia has produced a country full of foreigners, and this young woman needs to become an American citizen post haste, because she is a prime example of how society has failed to make her an American.

It is stated: "All men are created equal" at 9:20. I would add: "But some are more equal than others".

Outstanding and on point. This presentation should be used in the classrooms in public and private high schools history and sociology classes. Thank you.

Being American is being born in the American continent, North, Central, and South.

Does this girl know that America is a continent, not a country..??? Probably not, because reading the comments below I can see that ignorance is much more than I what I thought...

American ≠ Someone from the United States (🇺🇸) American = Someone from the continent of America (🌎)

Brilliant young girl, well presented, articulated and expressed. Being American means believing ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL. It is impossible to improve that sentence (well, adding WOMEN too, and LGTBQ). That is the essence of this country. And yes, I salute you, Lady Liberty... Well done, Sarah, thanks a lot for this.

She is part of the woke culture.

youre not an american unless youve offended somebody.

Learned more than at College. Must be a reincarnated founding father...

Just kidding

was this a speech on what it means to be an american, or why she hates donald trump??? Like she got way sidetracked not gonna lie

If as an American I went to Canada or Mexico I would also be put at the bottom of the list, because you want your countrymen to succeed more. This presentation is a sham.

the founders where northwestern european western christians..thats what make you american...anything else is just wishful thinking.

We have to be born from the country. Duh...

这么小就这么左？民主党员吧？

this lady wants illegal immigrants to take our jobs, and has the (metaphorical) balls to quote the founding fathers