With the inauguration of our first "African-American" President, I have to point out that I hate the classification of "Insert County Here"-American
If you are born in France to American parents, you are not an American-French, you are American (after 1994 of course) - and as is so with any other country
Maybe you love your heritage or culture, maybe you identify more with one than another, but if you were born in America to residents of America, you are an American, a U.S. citizen - Even if your parent's were not born as U.S. citizens, if you are born here, you are American - so stop trying to identify yourself as something you are not - it only makes things like racism more predominant in a country where most of us could trace our heritage back to every culture or race seeing as America is the original "Melting-Pot"
What should be a positive type of classification, to have one not forget their roots, is becoming a means to believe you are different or better than anyone else born in this county - just because your skin is darker or lighter than anyone else does not make you better or worse - it does not change your ability to learn or get sick - it does not stop you from growing old or practicing any religion you choose - in fact no matter how much your skin does or does not match the color of someone else, everyone has their own complexion - pimples, rashes, wrinkles, oil, dry spots etc. - I'm not a "light oily skinned"-American, I'm just an American
So knock it off Mr. President...you, along with everyone else that decides race is determined by how you look, are incorrect - according to this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_United_States_Census, you would be "White American" from your mom being an American with European descendants, "African-American" from your dad being Kenyan, and "Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander" from being born in Honolulu - you sir are a "mutt" like most of us...why only identify with one? Why not bring the positive message that we are all from different cultures, but what keeps us common to each other is that we are all Americans? Is the idea of being a native of a country full of free individuals with the right to speak up and be involved in our government not something we should want to identify with?
Drop your label, even for a day - It might change your perspective on things, because you can be "Japanese, Indian, Canadian"-American, but it doesn't make you any less American - Buy yourself an American flag, put it in your front yard or hang it from a window - Celebrate your freedom instead of your differences - Create your own traditions - And most importantly, pay your taxes!
Americanly Yours,
Sarah M.
