Wyclef, a contemporary hip-hop pioneer and someone who has helped define pop culture in the U.S. and around the world, has spent a lot of his time and energy raising awareness about conditions in Haiti, where he's from. Here's a great quote by Wyclef from an article about national identity in our global era.

"I think the greatest thing about America is the American dream," said Wyclef Jean, the Grammy-winning member of The Fugees who came to the United States from Haiti when he was 9 years old. He is still a citizen of Haiti, with permanent resident status here. "America allows you take that dream and bring it back to your country and help you inspire more people."

While he is upfront about his concern for his native country (he started a foundation, Yele Haiti, that does work there and recently flew down to take part in elections), Wyclef denies the idea that he's somehow not a part of American society, citing as examples his work with Rock the Vote here as well as his performance at an event following Sept. 11.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm taking heavy part in the United States," he said. "I am the American dream whether they want to accept it or not."