Hi, or, as I USED to say in my native language, Hola!
This is Jeraldo Miguel speaking. I am 9 years old, and I was born in Mexico; but I was adopted when I was almost 7. I live in Nashville, Tennessee, with my family.
I became an American citizen two years ago, just after I was adopted.
Here is what I dictated on the computer last night after playing outside:
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN AMERICAN:
1.) FREEDOM. (When one is "free", he or she can do, say, wear, or think pretty well the way they choose.)
2.) OPORTUNITY. (spelled wrong) (With oportunity, one can do whatever they want in life. They can be a lawyer, a doctor, or a nurse--my mom is a nurse!--, a television star, a rock singer, an athlete, or even a bum! They could even be PRESIDENT!!)
3.) FREEDOM OF RELIGION. (One can worship God as they choose, whether they be a Christian, Musslim, Jew, or some other wierd religion.)
4.) FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. (One can say pretty much what they think--as long as it doesn't get the goverment mad at you!)
Yes, being an American is all this and much more. In Mexico, where I was born, people there are either rich or poor; there is not much opportunity, the pay there is LOUSY, and people don't give a durn. Here, at least, I can go to school and learn English and learn about the history of America, and study to become whatever I want to be. (Right now I want to become a pro football player. Not the futball known as soccer here, but the kind of football where the guys knock each other down trying to get the football into the end zone!!)
