One-ness v. Many-ness? This is what's plaguing my mind....Pluralism or Assimilation (do we have to be one, or can we be many?) These are the questions: To be or not to be "American," and To have or Not to have one common “American Identity”
This is the debate that has taken a lot of class time in most of my Sociology courses that deal with minorities and races. I don’t know what to say most of the time because I am so adamant and passionate about my belief. I am against the whole idea that we have to have one identity and shared opinions, traditions and beliefs.
Truthfully, don’t you find that to be what this country’s foundational beliefs say? -----> We should not be asked to conform. We are free to be whoever we please to be. We respect our differences and we are tolerant people who live in peaceful harmony side by side.
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How beautiful these ^above^ sentiments are...yet these are only ideas and beliefs that most SAY but NOT DO. I have a problem with this. I have a problem with people who can blindly believe and proudly say that America and Americans are so free. Well…Yes we are more free compared to other nations… -------------------------------------------------------
But once we get over the outer candy coated surface and delve deeper to see what lies underneath, what do we find? Is it true? Can you say that this Nation is as great as it could have been if we acted upon these ideals? If only people really did what they said and believed...
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I wish these rights/freedoms and beliefs were not just beautiful words and sayings for most people. If only people really did treasure and remember how important it is to actually act upon them. I am not asking for perfection. We are not perfect but I am asking for an effort. Every one of us should not only say these things, let them be lessons we take to heart and live by. Let us really become a nation we can always be proud of, We do have the power of shaping and molding America.
We Can Change...the ugliness, hate, violence, intolerance that is prevalent. Let us change mindsets and make America come alive once again. Let us be Many That Come Together To Become One. That’s how I interpret our many-ness and one-ness.
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I can agree with that. Most people don't understand that our rights our being limited every day. Certain sensitive areas like religion can cause major problems. For exampe the whole "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" on signs in public places can upset people, despite the fact you can say most Christians are American, but some will still take offence at this and demand that the sign be taken down or removed.The fact that nobody complains about swearing on a Bible in court is noteworthy. Back on track, we should really stop worring about simple, tiny, insiginifant differences and work together as a whole. That is the way this country was intended to work in the first place.
i agree, I never had any problems with Merry Christmas or holiday shows in public schools as long as every religion/beleif was featured
this is why I think PC and censoring stuff is ridiculous
especially political correctness...like what and why?
Aren't we all adults and we should be able to accept that we all have our differences and dfferent forms of expression as long as we don't attack or name call and hurt people
"Things have a life of their own. It's just a matter of waking up their souls."
--Gabriel García Márquez
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
Many people complain about having to swear on a bible in court. The oath is meaningless to anyone who isn't Christian, so it opens the door for perjury.
I love abortion. Read more here:
http://progressiveu.org/044921-i-love-abortion-even-if-it-murder
troublesome...I am really bad at anything to do with formatting/internet and computers...so I tried to edit and post it with space breaks instead of dashes but
I am so not a technology person
what's worse is sometimes I do feel like there isn't a point to keep posting because some people don't like commenting in general on certain blogs and topics-
PLEASE give any sort of feedback ON this topic--OFF topic but maybe about my writing
It's disheartening for all to type up something that one thinks as meaningful and worth sharing but no one shares their opinion or comments back
"Things have a life of their own. It's just a matter of waking up their souls."
--Gabriel García Márquez
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
As far as I can see you writing skills are supurb. You are able to display your thoughts in a comprhensive manner.
i get side tracked very easily while writing and I really could have added a lot on this topic but I wanted it to be short and sweet...there are many examples i should have and could have used to make the point stronger and clearer but...yeah, lazyness and I'm hungry :)
thanks for the compliment...it's boosting my confidence and inspiring me
"Things have a life of their own. It's just a matter of waking up their souls."
--Gabriel García Márquez
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
I am curious when we will let schools define what is proper for children to wear. There are a lot of reasons Principals can give, such as better grades and behavior, but there is no real evidence. Personally, I believe that they just want students to get used to the idea of decisions being made for them. Also, the goverment is warming the next generation to the idea of a public dress code, such as the one in California. The less you make decisions when you are young, the less it matters later because you are numb to the idea of deciding for yourself. It can be compared to stripping away their individuality.
It's called Conditioning someone to get used to something
sort of like rewards and punishments......
but I do agree with what you are saying--
We should be forced to think for ourselves and reach our own decisions and have our own beliefs and opinions INDEPENDENTLY..
but...everything seems to be going in the opposite direction
"Things have a life of their own. It's just a matter of waking up their souls."
--Gabriel García Márquez
http://www.progressiveu.org/231615-this-is-a-muslim-girls-plight
I totally hear you. I like to think of America as a big melting pot. We have people of all ethnicities and races and that's part of what makes this place a wonderful one to live in. We all look different, but to truly be one we must recognize one simple thing. We are all humans. We have the same basic needs and though we may have different beliefs and ideals we must stick together not only as one country but as one race.