Who Gets to Be American?
The Battle Over Our National Identity
America is fighting over who gets to belong.
As the Trump administration races to reshape government through Project 2025, debates over immigration, race, and power are sharpening into a single, urgent question:
Will American identity remain open and evolving, or will it be forcibly narrowed by those in power?
This is not just about politics; it’s about who we are, and who we want to be.
The Current Moment: A Struggle for Definition
In 2025, the stakes are clear:
Project 2025 aims to reshape federal institutions to enforce a narrow, exclusionary vision of America before the political window closes.
Culture war rhetoric is escalating, with some claiming that “real” Americans are under siege, while others argue that true patriotism demands defending diversity and democracy.
The alignment of all three branches of government under this ideology has created an unprecedented push to centralize power and roll back pluralism.
This fight over American identity isn’t new. But it is reaching a breaking point.
A Nation Defined by Its People—Not Its Gatekeepers
Throughout history, American identity has evolved not because the powerful willed it, but because ordinary people forced the nation to live up to its promises.
Enslaved people demanding freedom.
Immigrants arriving with nothing, building communities and reshaping culture.
Civil rights activists refusing to accept second-class citizenship.
Time and again, American identity has expanded because people refused to let it remain small.
Today, those seeking to narrow “American” to a single race, religion, or political identity are pushing against the tide of history—but they are also deploying real power to make their vision stick.
Why This Matters Now
If we accept a static, exclusionary vision of American identity, we risk losing:
The richness of cultural exchange that defines our cities and towns.
The promise of democracy grounded in all people’s participation.
The opportunity to build a future shaped by diversity, not fear.
We are at a moment where choices matter. Silence and inaction serve those who want to redefine “American” on their terms.
What This Series Will Explore
Over the coming weeks, we will explore:
The hidden history of American identity and immigration, and how “illegality” was invented.
The demographic and cultural shifts that are irreversible—and why they are sparking backlash.
Project 2025’s concrete plans to remake government and enforce cultural homogeneity.
Why a complete reversal of diversity is impossible, no matter how hard the push.
What real opposition looks like beyond party politics.
How vigilance and civic participation can protect democracy.
Why the arc of American identity still bends toward inclusion—if we fight for it.
This series is for those who believe that America’s strength lies in its fluid, people-powered identity, not in gatekeeping who gets to belong.
Join the Conversation
In the weeks ahead, I invite you to:
✅ Share your stories about what “American” means to you.
✅ Ask questions you want addressed in this series.
✅ Share this post with friends and family who are grappling with these questions.
America’s identity is not fixed. It is made by people willing to stand up, participate, and define it for themselves—and for the generations to come.
If you’re ready to engage, stay tuned for Part 2: From Open Borders to Documentation: The Hidden History of Immigration in America.