“He is an American, who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he holds. He becomes an American by being received in the broad lap of our great Alma Mater. Here individuals of all nations are melted into a new race of men, whose labours and posterity will one day cause great changes in the world.”
CREVECOEUR
Letters From An American Farmer - What is an American? pg44.
This quote is given me ingredients of what an american consist of, in the sense that you have to leave behind your old cultural values and embrace what Americans believe to be the "new mode of life" it also shows prosperity of an individual by coming and being an american. It gives you the feeling that becoming or being american you will have an impact to change the world.
However to a certain extent this quote still survives today, in the sense that races all over the world still migrate to america to escape religious persecution, war and economic troubles. because some people share Americans beliefs in which they hold.
Although some people migrate to America they may only embrace some aspects of Americans belief for instance in this article a man MURDER'S his daughters just because they decided to date men who are non-Muslims, and their father concluded their murder as an "Honour Killing." this shows that some people still hold on to their religious values they grew up on which is different to american ideal of new life.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2152369/Yaser-Said-Man-murdered-daughters-shocking-Muslim-honour-killing-working-New-York-City-cab-driver.html
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