American Fabric: Identity and Belonging

In this first report of the American Fabric series, More in Common delves deeper into the complexity of American identity. We explore how associations, experiences, and norms of our shared identity differ across the political and demographic diversity of the United States. Conducted against the backdrop of a deeply contentious year, the study articulates where Americans continue to diverge and highlights places of meaningful commonality. 

Key Takeaways

• There is common ground among Americans that underpins their sense of identity — feeling thankful to be American and feeling a sense of pride in that identity. 
• Despite the deep divisions of recent years, a large majority of Americans share a sense of national pride. Around seven in ten Black, white and Hispanic Americans feel proud to be American (70%, 75% and 76% respectively). 
•  Pride in American identity is found to increase as age increases and is most widely dispersed among different political identities (ranging from 34% of Progressive Activists to 100% of Devoted Conservatives). 
• There is less common ground when Americans compare their country to other countries; clear differences are found across ideological, generational and racial groups. 
• Americans are more likely to say that America is a better, rather than worse, nation overall compared to most other countries.