This Jewish Life: Do I Feel More American?

As I was walking around the WWII memorial with three of my college friends this weekend, my friend Christina asked me, "Has living in Washington DC made you feel 'more American'?"  I immediately responded "no," but I have been reflecting on the question since she asked it.  What does it mean to "feel American"?  And why was I so quick to respond negatively?

It's true that all of the American flags and tributes to American history around town make it difficult to forget where I am.  And, since I moved here, I certainly feel more involved in the political process and more informed about the happenings in our country.  But, I have never considered myself "more American" because of these things.  I am more involved in American politics, but I have never thought of my American identity as being on a scale.

Sometimes singular events make me more acutely aware I am an American.  For example, there is nothing more American than drinking beer and watching the Super Bowl.  And doing some of the touristy DC stuff with my friends, like walking around the monuments and visiting the Smithsonian, was a good reminder of the American history that I have been learning throughout my life.  But again, these singular events remind me of my American identity.  They do not seem to amplify it. 

However, watching the coverage of the Democratic primaries and the various political ads that have been circulating over the past couple of months has seemed to increase my pride in being American. (You know you are inside the beltway when the only minute of complete focus and silence during the entire Super Bowl came during Barack Obama's campaign ad). 

These ads are largely focused on the need for change.  The American desire to move upward and seek something better than the status quo has always been something that I have deeply connected with.  The political ads, with their rhetoric about making our world a better place, have revitalized my pride in my American identity.  We are a nation built on the desire to pursue justice and being a part of that struggle certainly makes me proud. 

I think that I was so quick to respond negatively to Christina's question because of my desperate desire for change in our country.  Learning about our social problems and lack of solutions has frustrated and angered me to the point that I have, at times, wanted to shy away from my American identity.  So, my reflexive response was to say "no." 

Singular events may remind me that I am American and certain occurrences increase my pride in being an American, but nothing makes me feel "more" or "less" American.  I am an American, in good times and bad, and I will continue to embrace that identity, whether I am in DC or otherwise.