Being an American

10 Locals share their thoughts on 250 years

July 4, 2026

As we reach the United States of America’s semiquincentennial, we asked Express readers to tell us what it means to them to be an American. Here’s what they said.

1. The Same Shared Future
To me, being American means carrying both ambition and responsibility. It’s innovation, resilience, and having the freedom to build something meaningful from an idea. But it’s also community…recognizing that a diverse society only works when people are willing to listen, compromise, and care for one another. America is at its best when individuality and collective responsibility exist together, not in opposition. We don’t all have to agree, but we do have to remember we belong to the same shared future. Sarah Lee Sullivan | Traverse City

2. The Fight of Our History
As a woman, I still feel lucky to be born American with limited freedoms and opportunities. Now America is in a karmic cycle to relearn from our struggles with our principles since inception—false justifications for slavery that encourage recurring racism, the tug of war between equal justice for all and unrestrained opportunity that exploits nature and people and becomes sanctioned corporate greed and rampant government corruption, the prejudice against and persecution of people who are different, and the punishment of poverty. We’re in the fight of our history to renew fairness, civility, and rule of law. Join the fray! Phyllis Craun-Selka | Lake Ann

3. A Fair Life
At 77 ½ years it means being able to grow up enjoying nature pre-urbanization; going to public schools; serving country four years; getting married; obtaining two university degrees; having a daughter and son; working 30 years in engineering; getting remarried; jointly owning a business with my wife; sharing warm moments with kids and grandkids. And now fighting daily to save the America that has allowed me to have a fair life. I can only hope my grandkids will look back in old age to say that they too got to live in an America that allowed them a fair life. Denny Nurski | Gaylord

4. What a Gift
We Americans are born with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. What a gift! I’m trying to make the most of it—I hope you are, too. Larry Kage | Interlochen

5. We Are United
It means having the freedom to speak your mind—to praise our leaders or criticize them—without fear. It means being able to get in your car and set out for the mountains, the oceans, the deserts, the plains, and the beautiful Great Lakes, exploring a country rich in both opportunity and natural wonder. It means having the freedom to choose how your children are educated—whether in public schools, private schools, or at home—and the responsibility to help them become thoughtful, engaged citizens. Above all, it means embracing both our rights and our responsibilities, recognizing that while we may disagree on many things, we are united by the enduring ideals of liberty, opportunity, and self-government. Lauri Cooper | Alanson

6. To Live Free
We are Americans. We are black, white, and all tones in between. We migrated from many countries for a common desire: freedom to choose and live free. We have made mistakes and learned from most. We have been divided, but accept this in the name of freedom. We work hard, play hard, and want to help our fellow man, aiding neighbors and those in need. We are a giving country, giving billions to the world. American culture was built on defending rights at all costs. Those who travel abroad know how wonderful this country is. God Bless America and happy 250! Jeff Campbell | Grawn

7. A Promise for Better
Britta and Johan Borgen, my great-grandparents, emigrated to America in 1881. They met on a steamer. Relatives promised a better life. Britta cleaned hotels and Johan farmed. A shipboard romance led to marriage and a family of seven children. Their daughter, Olga, my grandmother, married Paul Lind. Patricia Lind, their second child, was born during the Depression. A move to Flint changed their lives; they ran a business and rented out the first and second floor of their home, whilst living in the basement. America is a promise for a better life to all who reach our shores. Wendy McWhorter | Kewadian

8. Remember That Feeling
I remember that proud, patriotic feeling that I used to get while standing on the sidewalk during a Fourth of July parade. The one where you could overcome differences of opinion in order to come together in times of trouble or celebration; whether helping the farmer get a crop in before a storm, or filling in at your mother-in-law’s shop during illness. That “happy to help” feeling you get when working at the bake sale to send 6th graders to camp or carrying an extra load to help someone who looks more tired than you feel. That. Carol Johns | Mancelona

9. Roman Satire
Being an American means being passionate about two things: the price of gasoline, and whether one’s preferred professional sports team wins or not. For the ancient Roman populace, Juvenal observed that bread and circuses kept the citizens complacent. For us, it is cheap gasoline and UFC cage fights. Most of us didn’t care about the incursion in Iran, until the price of gasoline rose noticeably. Few of us could even find Iran on a map. Now, our King, who initially demanded unconditional surrender, has felt compelled to surrender unconditionally. Gasoline prices have fallen, and we are winning once again. Willard Losinger | Harbor Springs

10. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
The fact that our forefathers included in our founding documents the phrase, “life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” is so important. What other country did that? Especially the happiness part! Cindy Virta | Traverse City