Who Is the true American? A Reflection on Identity, Culture, and Ideology

 

Theodore Roosevelt on what makes a true American.

A fascinating debate has emerged on the Chinese internet regarding whether the Nobel Prize in Literature awarded to Pearl S. Buck in 1938 rightfully belongs to China. Proponents of this view argue that Buck’s deep connection to China—evidenced by her Chinese citizenship, her self-identification as primarily Chinese, and her literary focus on Chinese themes—makes a compelling case. Her works, imbued with a profound respect for Chinese culture and a positive portrayal of its people, resonate deeply with Chinese audiences. Moreover, the timing of the Nobel Prize, awarded during a period when China was enduring the brutal invasion by Japan, suggests an intentional gesture of global solidarity with the Chinese people. For these reasons, some assert that Buck’s accolade should be celebrated as a triumph for China.

This debate prompts a broader reflection on the nature of national identity, a topic I have explored in my own work. In a video I produced discussing whether Taiwanese people are Chinese, I concluded that many young Taiwanese who passionately reject the label "Chinese" are primarily distancing themselves from legal citizenship in the People’s Republic of China. Yet, when viewed through the lenses of ancestry and culture, their Chinese identity remains undeniable. National identity, I argued, is a complex tapestry woven from three distinct threads: ancestry, culture, and legal status. This framework informs my fascination with the question of Pearl S. Buck’s identity and, more broadly, the question of what it means to be an American.

Pearl S. Buck, by all accounts, was unequivocally an American. Born in the United States to American parents, her ancestry firmly roots her in the American story. Yet, her upbringing in China and her literary career, which centered on Chinese life and culture, complicate the narrative. Some might argue that her cultural perspective was shaped by her immersion in China, but I contend that her worldview, as expressed in her writing, remained distinctly American. Her works, while celebrating Chinese culture, often approached it through an outsider’s lens, reflecting American values of individualism, empathy, and universal human dignity. Buck’s ability to bridge cultures was remarkable, but her ideological foundation—her belief in storytelling as a means of fostering understanding and her commitment to universal human rights—aligned closely with the American ethos.

This question of identity extends beyond Buck to other prominent figures in contemporary American life. Consider President Donald Trump, often hailed as a champion of American values. His grandfather hailed from Germany, and his wife, Melania, was born in what is now Slovenia (formerly part of Yugoslavia, not Estonia as sometimes misstated). Similarly, Vice President J.D. Vance’s wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, is of Indian descent, bringing her own cultural heritage to their partnership. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with his Cuban roots, may also carry traces of diverse ancestry, potentially including African or Indigenous lineage. These individuals, despite their varied backgrounds, are undeniably woven into the fabric of American leadership and identity.

Are they Americans?

Casting a broader perspective toward the left, figures such as former President Barack Obama, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Ilhan Omar, and Zohran Mamdani.

Are they Americans?

The question seems almost rhetorical when viewed through the lens of ideology and contribution to the nation’s ideals. Their diverse origins highlight a fundamental truth about the United States: it is a nation defined not by a singular ethnic or cultural mold but by a shared commitment to a set of principles. The American identity transcends ancestry and birthplace, embracing those who uphold the values of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. Trump’s advocacy for economic independence and national sovereignty, Melania’s embodiment of the immigrant success story, Usha Vance’s integration into American public life, and Rubio’s dedication to public service all reflect a fidelity to the American project, regardless of their ancestral roots.

So, who is an American? The answer lies not in the narrow confines of bloodlines or legal documents but in the embrace of a shared ideological vision. An American is someone who cherishes the principles that have defined the nation since its founding—freedom, opportunity, and the pursuit of a better life. Pearl S. Buck, though deeply tied to China, was an American because her work reflected these values, filtered through her unique perspective. Similarly, immigrants and descendants of immigrants today, from every corner of the globe, become Americans when they adopt these ideals as their own. The Taiwanese youth who grapple with their identity, the descendants of European settlers, and the newcomers who pledge allegiance to the American dream—all can claim the title of "American" if they align with the nation’s core principles.

Who is the true American?

True Americans are not necessarily descendants of Anglo-Saxons. For example, President Trump is of German descent, and historical figures like Eisenhower and General Patton were also of German descent. What about people like Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman—should they be considered as true Americans? If they pursue equality and freedom for all humanity within the framework of democracy, then they are true Americans. But if they only seek so-called equality and freedom for a specific ethnicity, then they are not true Americans. Isn't it racism to only fight for the rights of your own race and ignore the rights of other races?

 

 

They are not real Americans.

 

This understanding of identity invites us to celebrate the diversity that strengthens America while recognizing the importance of a unifying ideological core. It challenges us to move beyond simplistic categories of race, ethnicity, or legal status and to focus instead on the values that bind a nation together. In a world of increasing complexity, the question "Who is an American?" reminds us that the answer lies not in where we come from but in what we believe and how we contribute to the ongoing story of a nation built on ideas.

The question of who qualifies as a "true American" is one that has sparked debate for centuries, touching on issues of heritage, belief, and belonging. At its core, this question challenges us to consider what binds a nation together—is it shared ancestry, legal status, or something deeper, like ideological alignment? The essence of American identity, I argue, lies not in bloodlines or legal documents but in a shared commitment to a set of principles that have historically defined the nation’s spirit. A true American is someone who embraces the foundational values of democracy, individual liberty, the rule of law, and, for many, the moral framework rooted in Judeo-Christian traditions. This perspective transcends ethnicity, birthplace, or even citizenship status, focusing instead on the ideological heart of what it means to be American.

To begin, let us consider the role of heritage. It is undeniable that the United States was founded primarily by individuals of European, particularly Anglo-Saxon, descent. The cultural and legal frameworks they established—drawing from English common law, Enlightenment philosophy, and Christian ethics—shaped the nation’s early identity. However, to equate American identity solely with Anglo-Saxon ancestry is to oversimplify a nation that has always been a melting pot of cultures. If an individual of Anglo-Saxon descent embraces ideologies that fundamentally oppose the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and personal responsibility—such as communism, authoritarianism, or radical collectivist movements—they may share the ethnic lineage of the Founding Fathers but lack the ideological alignment that defines the American spirit. For example, someone who advocates for the suppression of free speech or the dismantling of democratic institutions, regardless of their heritage, stands in opposition to the values enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. In this sense, they are not a "true American" in spirit, even if they hold a U.S. passport.

Conversely, an immigrant who arrives on American shores—whether from Asia, Africa, Latin America, or elsewhere—can embody the essence of American identity if they wholeheartedly adopt its core principles. Consider an individual who, despite lacking legal citizenship, embraces democracy, cherishes personal liberty, upholds the rule of law, and finds resonance in the moral and ethical traditions of Christianity that have long influenced American culture. Such a person, though perhaps not yet recognized by the state, is a spiritual American. Their commitment to these ideals makes them a truer reflection of the nation’s founding vision than someone who, by birthright, claims the title but rejects its underlying values. This perspective aligns with the words of President Ronald Reagan, who described America as a "shining city upon a hill," a beacon of hope and opportunity for those who share its ideals, regardless of where they were born.

This ideological definition of American identity does not dismiss the importance of legal citizenship or cultural integration. Citizenship is a formal recognition of belonging, and integration into American society—through language, customs, and civic participation—strengthens the fabric of the nation. However, these are secondary to the deeper question of belief. An immigrant who learns English, respects American traditions, and participates in civic life is demonstrating a commitment to the American project. Yet, if their worldview is rooted in ideologies that reject individual liberty or the democratic process—say, by advocating for systems that prioritize collective control over personal freedom—they remain ideologically distant from the American ideal, even if they hold a U.S. passport.

The emphasis on ideology also invites reflection on the role of religion in American identity. While the United States is a secular nation with a commitment to religious freedom, its cultural and moral foundations have undeniably been shaped by Judeo-Christian values. Principles such as the inherent dignity of the individual, the importance of personal responsibility, and the belief in a higher moral order have historically informed American governance and society. An individual who aligns with these values, whether Christian or not, connects to a significant thread of the American tapestry. This is not to say that non-Christians cannot be true Americans—far from it. The First Amendment explicitly protects freedom of religion, and Americans of all faiths, or none, can embrace the nation’s core principles. However, those who adopt ideologies that explicitly reject these foundational values—whether through militant atheism, radical collectivism, or other frameworks—may find themselves at odds with the spirit of the nation.

This view of American identity as ideological rather than ethnic or purely legal challenges both extremes of the current cultural debate. On one hand, it rejects the notion that American identity is reserved for those of a particular racial or ethnic background. The United States has thrived precisely because it has welcomed people from all corners of the globe who share its vision. On the other hand, it resists the idea that American identity is infinitely malleable, reducible to whoever happens to reside within its borders. A nation without a shared ideological core risks losing its cohesion, becoming a mere geographic expression rather than a unified people with a common purpose.

In practice, this understanding of American identity calls for a renewed emphasis on civic education and cultural assimilation. Schools, communities, and institutions should prioritize teaching the principles of democracy, liberty, and the rule of law, ensuring that both native-born citizens and newcomers understand the values that define the nation. Immigrants should be encouraged to embrace these ideals, not as a rejection of their heritage but as a commitment to the shared project of American life. At the same time, native-born Americans must recognize that their claim to the title of "American" is not guaranteed by birth but by their active allegiance to the nation’s founding principles.

In conclusion, a true American is defined not by where they were born or who their ancestors were but by their commitment to the ideals that have shaped the United States since its founding. An Anglo-Saxon descendant who rejects these principles in favor of ideologies that undermine freedom and democracy is less American in spirit than an immigrant who, regardless of legal status, embraces the values of liberty, law, and individual dignity. This ideological understanding of American identity honors the nation’s past while embracing its future as a diverse, dynamic society united by a shared vision. It reminds us that being an American is not just a matter of geography or genealogy—it is a choice to live by the principles that make this nation unique.