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AMERICA THE MELTING POT
By Lauren Semerjian
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA
July 8 2007
Your Essay
America is the most interesting country in the world.
Many different people from many different lands come to the United
States of America for what they call "the American Dream."
To many, "the American Dream" is the idea of having the freedom to
be what they want to be and to live the way they choose to live,
without boundaries or punishments.
To others, "the American Dream" is the hope of coming to the United
States of America to make their fortune and leave their world of
poverty and despair.
In reality, "the American Dream" captures both of these ideals and
so much more.
Close to a century ago, my ancestors entered the United States through
Ellis Island, fleeing the horrors of the Armenian Genocide.
They came with virtually nothing except the clothes on their backs,
but with pride, freedom, hard work and their faith in God, they were
able to establish a happy and comfortable life for themselves and
their families.
Many immigrants today share similar stories of being forced to leave
their countries. Most find a way to make happy and prosperous homes
for themselves here in the United States, where everyone is given an
opportunity to work hard and make something of themselves.
Many immigrants come to the United States of America for freedom
of speech and religion. In their own countries, many immigrants are
forbidden to speak out against their countries' policies and laws and
established religion. For many, the inability to practice the religion
of their choice and vote for their countries' leaders is intolerable.
Here in the United States, all people are free to practice the religion
of their choice. All United States citizens are given a chance to vote
for their leaders and lawmakers, and express their dissatisfaction
with decisions these leaders may make.
The best part about immigrants in the United States of America is
all of the culture and ethnic contributions that they bring along
with them.
Without immigrants, everyone would probably look the same, eat the
same foods, listen to the same music and speak the same language.
There would not be any Chinese restaurants or Italian markets. There
would be no synagogues or mosques. There would not be Armenian music
or Greek dancing.
Immigrants contribute a huge part of what has become the American
culture. We are one big melting pot of different faces, religions,
languages, food and cultures.
These differences are what make life in America so interesting and
appealing.
-----
Lauren Semerjian of Berwyn will be a sixth grader next fall at the
Armenian Sisters Academy in Radnor. Her essay won honorable mention in
the annual creative writing contest, "Celebrate America," sponsored
by the American Immigration Law Foundation and arranged locally by
a chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
By Lauren Semerjian
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA
July 8 2007
Your Essay
America is the most interesting country in the world.
Many different people from many different lands come to the United
States of America for what they call "the American Dream."
To many, "the American Dream" is the idea of having the freedom to
be what they want to be and to live the way they choose to live,
without boundaries or punishments.
To others, "the American Dream" is the hope of coming to the United
States of America to make their fortune and leave their world of
poverty and despair.
In reality, "the American Dream" captures both of these ideals and
so much more.
Close to a century ago, my ancestors entered the United States through
Ellis Island, fleeing the horrors of the Armenian Genocide.
They came with virtually nothing except the clothes on their backs,
but with pride, freedom, hard work and their faith in God, they were
able to establish a happy and comfortable life for themselves and
their families.
Many immigrants today share similar stories of being forced to leave
their countries. Most find a way to make happy and prosperous homes
for themselves here in the United States, where everyone is given an
opportunity to work hard and make something of themselves.
Many immigrants come to the United States of America for freedom
of speech and religion. In their own countries, many immigrants are
forbidden to speak out against their countries' policies and laws and
established religion. For many, the inability to practice the religion
of their choice and vote for their countries' leaders is intolerable.
Here in the United States, all people are free to practice the religion
of their choice. All United States citizens are given a chance to vote
for their leaders and lawmakers, and express their dissatisfaction
with decisions these leaders may make.
The best part about immigrants in the United States of America is
all of the culture and ethnic contributions that they bring along
with them.
Without immigrants, everyone would probably look the same, eat the
same foods, listen to the same music and speak the same language.
There would not be any Chinese restaurants or Italian markets. There
would be no synagogues or mosques. There would not be Armenian music
or Greek dancing.
Immigrants contribute a huge part of what has become the American
culture. We are one big melting pot of different faces, religions,
languages, food and cultures.
These differences are what make life in America so interesting and
appealing.
-----
Lauren Semerjian of Berwyn will be a sixth grader next fall at the
Armenian Sisters Academy in Radnor. Her essay won honorable mention in
the annual creative writing contest, "Celebrate America," sponsored
by the American Immigration Law Foundation and arranged locally by
a chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.