Answer: the word "a new person", a change by a person but when it refers to a group, it speaks of the group having a change in mentality
Explanation:
When the word is used for a "new person" is used to categorize a group, it means that the group had a change in believe system or a change in mentality, is figurative for saying a person change while it's them as a group that changed. This idea still integrates the American identity but just that their mentality changed in some areas and scenario's as regards how they view things.