Ending the Hyphenated American

...except there is nothing average about being American. You're at the top 10% of human population.

Once again we have a topic that really hits home with me.

Although, it has been my experience, that others make the correction in describing me as a 'hyphenated American'. Let me explain.

As you know, I was born in Mexico. But my english is, let's say, above average. Or, for a Mexican anyway, as some have put it.

Throughout the years I've heard many people exclaim, out of nowhere: Oh!! You're not white?! I thought you were American!

This usually happens when, after having dealt with someone for a time, they suddenly hear me speak my native tongue.

You see, I have two accents. One is Texan, complete with drawl, coloquialisms and aphorisms. The other is Regio-Montano, and just as complete.

This is not, however, a pleasant experience for me. It always seems to me that this person (who has just put me into a different classification just because they've now heard me speak another language) is trying to insult me.

I hold this truth to be self-evident, that all men are created equal... That despite what liberal humanist hogwash classification and/or title you attempt to place him under, a man is still a man.

I am an American. That is the answer that I give to these people. But they usually don't walk away. The conviction I convey in making this statement not only silences them, but, I believe, intimidates them as well.

Apologies usually follow.

Do not judge a man by where he is born. Judge a man by his principles. I love my country. I would die for her and what she stands for. This is the land of the free because of the brave.

If a man's principles dictate foremost allegiance to another country, then he is no American. Period. He may be a friend. He may be an enemy. But he is no American.

They can keep their hyphens. But, if they are just so open-minded that the gray matter has all fallen out, and insist on them, then here is my hyphenated classification:

Luis Zayas-American

Great post. Got me riled up!

I had to bring that over. Missed ya.

JIM C:

You got that right!

Luis:

I am so glad you did. There should be more Americans like you in this country. It is a sad testament that there are those that were born here in the US and have nothing good to say about being born in the most prosperous and blessed nation on the face of God's green earth.

Yes you are foriegn born, but you have taken a love to a country that welcomed you with open arms, and all it asked is that you love it. You have embraced it with all your heart.

And isn't that what God asks of us as well? That being that we leave behind all that we knew before and that we believe in HIM and love HIM and become NEW citizens in HIS world?

IF that does't show that this nation is and has alway been based on the Judeo-Christian principles then I don't know what it would take to show it.

Thank you more than you'll ever know my brother in consevative solidarity!

Shades:

I teach Portuguese and Spanish. One thing I try to get accross to my students is to forget about hyphenated Americans. In Brazil, where I grew up, there is no such thing as an African-brazilian or and Italian-brazilian, etc. Everyone is Brazilian! After 9/11 I saw so many ads on TV of different nationalities saying 'I am an American." I was so happy and thought that we could all become Americans, finally.

I explain to my students that this has not happened in America because there is a Political Party that derives it's power from splitting us up into groups. Can this change? It has to. I believe that the Republican Party looks at each individual as himself/herself and not as a group. Look at the way that the Democrats treat Condie Rice and other "black Republicans." It is a disgrace.