Spring Break
"I am an American"
Nick Hemenway
Issue date: 2/27/07 Section: Opinion
Let me ask you a question: Do we live in the greatest country in the world? To me, the answer is an emphatic YES!
Although small adjustments need to be made from time to time, the United States is the greatest country in the world. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that there is no other country on earth I would rather pledge my allegiance to. But sadly, I feel I am one of a dying breed.
One of the love letters I received regarding my column last week, written by Mark Lanning, said I am privileged to be white because I can refer to myself simply as an American, unlike others who must identify themselves as African-American or Asian-American or some other hyphenated name.
After my usual chuckle at my letters, I realized this was a perfect example of how we as a nation are missing the mark.
When we meet someone for the first time, we usually ask what their name is, not "Are you an American, or are you an Asian-American?" Although it seems like a silly example, we don't ask this because it is unnecessary.
I mentioned last week that my heritage is largely Swedish. In my family, we embrace this lineage. We even have the occasional Smörgåsbord, including a few brave souls partaking in some Inlagd sill (which is pickled herring to you and me). At the same time, if someone were to ask me if I were a Swedish-American, I would say no. I am an American.
When my relatives came to the United States years ago, they realized the only way they would make it in this new world was to adopt the American way of life as their own. They learned the language, they learned the culture, and they made a new life for themselves in this great land of opportunity.
Unfortunately, in recent times, immigrants to the United States have not made similar attempts to assimilate.
In what my homeboy Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., refers to as the "cult of multiculturalism," we as Americans are taught to forget our similarities as a nation in favor of segregating ourselves into ethnic and racial clusters.
Although small adjustments need to be made from time to time, the United States is the greatest country in the world. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that there is no other country on earth I would rather pledge my allegiance to. But sadly, I feel I am one of a dying breed.
One of the love letters I received regarding my column last week, written by Mark Lanning, said I am privileged to be white because I can refer to myself simply as an American, unlike others who must identify themselves as African-American or Asian-American or some other hyphenated name.
After my usual chuckle at my letters, I realized this was a perfect example of how we as a nation are missing the mark.
When we meet someone for the first time, we usually ask what their name is, not "Are you an American, or are you an Asian-American?" Although it seems like a silly example, we don't ask this because it is unnecessary.
I mentioned last week that my heritage is largely Swedish. In my family, we embrace this lineage. We even have the occasional Smörgåsbord, including a few brave souls partaking in some Inlagd sill (which is pickled herring to you and me). At the same time, if someone were to ask me if I were a Swedish-American, I would say no. I am an American.
When my relatives came to the United States years ago, they realized the only way they would make it in this new world was to adopt the American way of life as their own. They learned the language, they learned the culture, and they made a new life for themselves in this great land of opportunity.
Unfortunately, in recent times, immigrants to the United States have not made similar attempts to assimilate.
In what my homeboy Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., refers to as the "cult of multiculturalism," we as Americans are taught to forget our similarities as a nation in favor of segregating ourselves into ethnic and racial clusters.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Jared
posted 2/27/07 @ 5:55 PM MST
Great Article! I completely agree with the fact that by having politically correct descriptions of people is just another form of segregation? Yes there are those out there who want to be called African-American, Asian-American, etc, but what of those who don't? They might have their own ethnicity but what makes everyone think they want to be labeled as such? What if they proudly want to be called Americans?
David
posted 2/28/07 @ 12:42 AM MST
Understand the point of the article. As a journalist, you should exclude the last name of dumbass kids that write you letters. If you do that at the next level, you'll get hanged by your gonads. (Continued…)
Jared (from above)
posted 2/28/07 @ 7:56 PM MST
Uh....yah...about that....his FULL name was actually published in the paper when he wrote his "letter to the editor" deal. Did you happen to administer the D. (Continued…)
Brandon
posted 3/01/07 @ 12:43 AM MST
On a side note, it is required to include your name and contact information and anonymous letters will not be published.
Brandon
posted 3/01/07 @ 12:45 AM MST
PS- I am glad for Nick's article. He attracts many readers to the newspaper. It seems though he does enjoy pissing people off and then reading their letters. (Continued…)
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