“Out of Many, One.” But Do We Have One American Identity?

“Out of Many, One.” But Do We Have One American Identity?

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American identity is shifting: from what we look like, to where we worship, to who we love. And so it’s not surprising that for many Americans, those changes create a sense of anxiety. Some feel they are being left behind by a country they thought they knew. Others are excited to chart a new course, to take part in that dream that so many Americans aspire to. The data proves that Americans really do think about these ideals. 2017 figures from the Pew Research Center found that 36% of U.S. adults reported that their family had already achieved the American dream. 46% surveyed said they are “on their way” to achieving it. The Takeaway examines the fluctuating notions of American identity. Plus, we speak with President Jimmy Carter about what he believes to be a crisis of faith in the American government; and an update on the apparently growing role of American soldiers in Yemen’s civil war.

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