During this past election and until today, I get a sense from some that they feel they are more American than others. In my view that belief devalues what it means to be an American. We are the melting pot of the world and have first through multi-generation people living here whose ancestors were born in every populated continent on earth.
Our strength is in our diversity. And, while far from perfect, these diverse peoples do tend to integrate better with other cultures than in other places. Could we do better, absolutely?
One of the best movies of last year was simply called “Loving.” While the movie was about love, the title is about the first interracially married couple in Virginia named the Lovings. The Lovings successfully challenged a law banning their marriage winning a Supreme Court victory of 9 to 0. That was in the 1960s. Now, interracial marriages are about 1 out of seven marriages.
We don’t have this democracy thing down, but we should strive to live up to our ideals the best we can. And, if someone thinks they are more American than you or vice-versa, you both are wrong. My freedoms are no more important than anyone else’s, but they are no less either. That is how it works.
We are diverse. We are imperfect. And, yes we are Americans.
musingsofanoldfart 
Well said, as usual.
Thanks Hugh. Did you have a good 4th? Whose your money on for Wimbledon?
Note to Readers: It brings me comfort seeing varied racial, ethnic and religious groups doing things together – singing, community work, team work, etc. To me, it shows the breadth and depth of America. One of the downsides of gated communities and private schools is the less interaction between different kinds of people. To me, learning different views and seeing how similar we are at the same time is fascinating.
Dear Keith,
Diversity of cultures and peoples are a major part of what makes this a great vibrant, creative country. This is our brand, and DDT is intent in ruining this brand because he is clueless about the advantages of diversity which far surpasses anything negative.
He is living in a world of alt-facts and alt-reality where its participants are making policies based on “fake news, which are harmful and toxic to the US peoples.
Hugs, Gronda
Agreed on all counts.
Very well said, Keith! And it speaks to one of the biggest social issues in our nation today that, sadly, more and more people see themselves as somehow better. Diversity brings new ideas, new experiences. I live in a community that has a large Middle-Eastern immigrant population, and I love it! I have experienced new foods (some I love, some … well, not so much), new ideas, and gained an understanding of what their lives were like in Syria, Iraq and Pakistan. And you are quite right … no one person is ‘better’ or more deserving than another. Why some don’t understand that is beyond my comprehension.
Jill, your comment about exposure to other cultures and foods is excellent. As for some thinking they have more rights, the Toronto/Berkeley study revealed people with more wealth and income have a higher propensity to cheat than those without. If you take that one step further, you can see how they feel their rights trump yours. Keith
Good point … and nice play on words there 😀
Note to Readers: Tonight I saw on PBS Newshour a story of the first Muslim Cover Girl, an American woman from Colorado. She had started her own website on how to apply make-up and put on a hijab. When her following grew to over 341,000, the magazine and make-up companies took notice. I thought this was very cool.
Note to Readers: I have shared this story before, but I have witnessed this twice. A Priest, Rabbi and Imam spoke on how each of their scriptures speak of how God or Allah ask us to be good stewards of the earth. Diverse religions and people, but the same message. I should add for the second meeting, a Baptist Minister joined them.