What constitutes an American? I mean really. There is the "technical" answer and then there is the "perceived" answer. Case in point, I took a class called Life Learning and Vocation. The whole purpose of the class was to make you think about your passion. Not the money you want to make or the job you think you want, but to tap into what is deep inside of you and in turn you were suppose to follow through with your hearts passion. There was a girl in my class who I will call Gerri. She was pissed off because according to research she conducted most of the federally funded aid were going to non-Americans., I was intrigued, so I quizzed her more on this topic, she finally revealed that the recipients were not "really" Americans since most were members of minority groups or new arrivals to the United States and some were "naturalized"
Americans. I found this a little disturbing. Nevertheless, I realized rather quickly that most of my friends felt the same way. When they look at someone who is ethnically diverse, they do not see an "American", they see a Minority. So what does that mean for our society, our country? In polite society, we do not say those things in public do we? Well there are some obvious exceptions. Most of us I think would not allude to really feeling this way.
Does someone who came here legally last year or is a descendant of slaves less “American” than someone who can trace their family back to the Mayflower? Technically an American is anyone born in the United States or someone who has become a citizen by choice. I am just throwing this out there. Before you answer, really think about it and be honest with yourself. We all know what the correct answer is, but deep down inside how do you really feel?
Sometimes I think 9/11 did more to tear us apart than unite us. I have a friend who is American born but her parents are from Lebanon. She lies about her background due to fear. She passes herself off as Italian.
We are not talking about ignoring someone's ethnicity. We are all different in one way or another. Ethnic differences just happen to be more obvious sometimes. I think it is important to appreciate the differences that exist. I just want to know what you think.
Are we a Country torn? Do you think we will ever get to the point where an American is just that…an American? By the way Gerri’s Major is Management and she currently works in the Financial Aid office of a vocational school.
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