Listening to Vice President Kamala Harris's speech at the DNC, I was reminded of the complex journey that led me to where I am today. Her words stirred something deep within me, a revisitation of what it means to be an American, especially for someone like me who has navigated the challenges of identity, belonging, and the pursuit of the American dream.

An American is not defined by a single origin, race, or creed. Instead, an American is a mosaic, a blend of countless stories, journeys, and identities, each contributing to the nation's ongoing experiment in democracy. Vice President Harris spoke of her mother’s unlikely journey, crossing the world with nothing but an unshakeable dream. I, too, am the child of an immigrant, raised by a mother who sacrificed everything to give her children a chance at a better life.

An American may speak English as a second language, learning not only words but the very fabric of a new culture, all while holding onto the rich heritage of their ancestors. Like Harris's mother, who instilled in her the values of community, faith, and treating others with kindness, I was taught to persevere, to work hard, and to believe in the possibility of a better future.

An American is someone who takes a leap of faith—joining the military, not out of a desire for war, but out of a commitment to serve and protect the ideals of freedom and opportunity. It is someone who is proud to serve honorably, ready to bear arms if necessary, but blessed that leadership kept us from conflict. Instead, I learned discipline, application, and grit, and took advantage of the opportunities offered, like the GI Bill, to seek higher education and strive for a better life.

When our mother died, we had nothing to inherit but her values and her desire for us to seek out a better life. So, I persevered, eventually graduating from architecture school, driven by a desire to make cities better places, better than some of the neighborhoods I had grown up in. I am proud of having persevered against harsh odds, embodying the resilience Harris spoke of—the resilience of Americans who work hard, chase their dreams, and look out for one another.

An American is someone who has faced loss, like the loss of a mother, but who carries forward the values and dreams she instilled: the pursuit of a better life, the belief in hard work, and the resilience to persevere against the odds. It is someone who turns those values into action, choosing to improve the communities and cities around them, to make a positive impact in the places where others might have only seen struggle.

An American is someone who grapples with identity, who has struggled to find their place in a society that has not always been accepting. It is someone who has come out as gay, faced the challenges of marginalization, and still continued forward, driven by the desire to make a meaningful contribution through their passion and creativity. It is someone who knows that belonging is not always about fitting in but about creating a space where one's true self can thrive.

As Kamala Harris said, "My mother taught me to never complain about injustice, but to do something about it." This is the essence of the American spirit—the determination to face challenges head-on and the resolve to make things better, not just for oneself but for others as well.

An American is someone who believes in the ideal of self-determination—the right to define one's own path, to pursue one's own dreams, and to contribute to a nation that, while imperfect, strives toward the ideals of freedom, equality, and justice. It is someone who understands that the stars and stripes represent not just the history of struggle and conflict, but also the ongoing journey toward a more perfect union.

Kamala Harris spoke of the "privilege and pride of being an American"—a privilege that comes with the responsibility to uphold the values that make this nation strong. For me, those values include the progress that has been made by the LGBTQ+ community, not just to marry or to have equal protections, but simply to be safe, to live without fear of persecution, and to contribute openly and proudly to the fabric of this nation.

An American is someone who has felt the sting of rejection, both from their native country and from the land they now call home, but who has come to realize that they belong here more than they ever gave themselves credit for. It is someone who refuses to be defined by the worst expressions of Americanism, who instead clings to the ideals and values that truly define what it means to be part of this nation.

In her speech, Harris reminded us, "We must be worthy of this moment." This is a call to action—a reminder that being American is not about blind pride but about the courage to confront the nation's flaws and work toward its ideals. It is someone who, in the face of division and differing visions, holds fast to the belief that the best version of America is one that values every individual's right to self-determination and the pursuit of happiness.

So, when I think of what it means to be an American, I think of my journey, of the struggles and triumphs, and of the ideals that have guided me along the way. And in the face of challenges, I hold onto this story—a story of resilience, hope, and the relentless pursuit of a better future. This is the America I believe in, and this is the America I fight for.