Keyword America

Gruesz suggests that the words 'America' or 'American' are very ambiguous. One cannot tie America down to territory since it may include the greater Americas rather than the United States. Terms and notions such as 'Freedom, Liberty and Democracy' are equally vague as are consumerism and cultural practices.

Perhaps America is a shared ideology; to be an American is to be the common man and yet share a feeling of exceptionalism. In such a vast and differing nation made up of so many races there is an implication of homogenisation and consolidation, not supposedly one of difference; America may celebrate the individual but he must conform to a certain extent to being Americanised and subscribe to the myths of American history and culture.