"There's a deep-seated paranoia that Americans have about not being Americans or something"

This quote by Billy Joel talks to the underlying fear that many Americans have of not being accepted as real Americans. This worry is rooted in the idea that there is a particular requirement of what it means to be an American, which if one does not fulfill that requirement, they will be viewed as an outsider. This fear is typically perpetuated by the media, which typically represents specific groups of people as not belonging in America. This worry can result in feelings of insecurity and exclusion, and can result in an absence of trust in the government and other institutions. It is very important to recognize this worry and to work to produce an inclusive society where everybody is accepted and appreciated regardless of their background.