Why Are You An American?

While maybe not as well known to younger generations, America has been and remains a melting pot of all races, religions, creeds, and diverse points of view. Over the centuries there have been times when one or more of these groups have become the focal point of some diversity and hatred. In the second world war a number of different races within the US were a focal point. Japanese, Germans, Italians were popular targets. During the Korean war both Korean’s and Chinese were targeted; during the Viet Nam War it was the North Vietnamese and so on and so on and so on.

These days it seems to be more focused and directed and the degree of retaliation is getting increasingly violent. The Muslims are the most obvious, but attacks on different Asian groups are on the rise as well, and in some cases there are serious issues within the same religion. Muslims are seeing this and even less widely known sects like the Amish (recent hair cutting attacks in Ohio) seem to be having their own problem.

The biblical story of the Tower of Babble tried to explain the differences between languages across the globe. Many explanations have been offered for the differences in races as well as different religions too. Seems that the bottom line is that we still, to this day, cannot accept the fact that people are not carbon copies of each other and that diversity is not only a healthy thing, it is one of the spices of life to be celebrated and embraced.

And now, across the globe, our own race, that well melted down and fully mixed group that we proudly call Americans is once again the focus of attack. Not only from our known enemies, but from what we recently thought were friends, appreciative of our assistance in their own civil struggles. But wait, the recent news suggests that the most recent attack on our citizens was the work of outside parties, trying to kill the new budding relationship between the US and a new, potential alley.

It appears that until we can get to the point where we can manage these differences within the races within our own country, we should butt out of the affairs of others. But, on second thought, if we abandon those that seek a more democratic way of life, we leave them to be easy targets for those that want to promote other forms like Marxism, Communism, etc, etc.

The not so simple fact is that in order to maintain that melting pot, we must continue to add more ingredients, stir a bit, and take whatever comes out in the final solution. The challenge is not to try to mold and shape all these ingredients, but to accept them for what they are and revel in the idea that what makes us all so very different, is exactly what makes Americans the same. The Heinz 57 of the globe will remain strong because we are all so different. We only need to concentrate on and maintain our stand, just like the words say where the lady stands.

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of you teamming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Yes my friends, that is what we are and why we are. Lest we forget ……