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WHAT’S AN AMERICAN?

I remember in kindergarten learning to sing MY COUNTRY ‘TIS OF THEE and memorizing the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. We stood and recited both of these every day at the start of school. We also said the pledge at every assembly, meeting, sporting event and graduation. In music time one of the first songs we learned was Yankee Doodle . . .

Pride in America was taught from the very beginning, and before that most parents home schooled their kids in this concept, teaching how special our country was, how proud we were to be Americans!

Someone recently asked me if it was necessary to speak English to be an American? Or to believe in God? It was more like a challenge than a question and it caught me off guard, so I’ve spent some time pondering what I think makes us Americans. Here it is . . .

First, you must believe America is a very special place standing for freedom and individual rights, a place representing fairness and projecting righteousness to the world. You must believe America stands for all men being created equal offering equal opportunity to every man and woman, color/creed, ethnicity/race. We may falter from time to time, but these are our most treasured beliefs to which we strive.

I was brought up believing this, though as I grew I learned of our flaws. These were troubling/disappointing, but didn’t dissuade me from thinking we were probably as good as it gets in this imperfect world, and working all the time to do better, be better!

Entering High School we learned a few more anthems and oaths: AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL, GOD BLESS AMERICA, STAR SPANGLED BANNER; memorized Preamble to the Constitution, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. We learned the history of our nation, about the founding fathers and Civil War. College/adulthood brought more information and enlightenment. Some questioned the validity/veracity of the founding being crafted by Rich White Slave-Owners. I believe they knew slavery was wrong but couldn’t be fixed until some propitious time in the near future. Meanwhile they did their very best to establish their new land of, by, for the people with a constitution like no other. These men weren’t perfect but nor were they racist. There was no 1619 Project, and though Lincoln cared more about saving the Union than ending Slavery his reasons were clear; if he couldn’t preserve the Union, the American Dream would be lost.

I think being an American requires one to reflect and project the tenets and ideals proclaimed in the two founding documents; Constitution and Declaration. One becomes a living

embodiment of that original American spirit, striving to show all peoples we are of noble spirit and good intent, how we are giving and sharing of our time and resources and that we help and encourage every person to be the best they can be.

America started off and essentially remains a Judeo-Christian society made up of freedom-loving people who mostly communicate in English. Everything so far describes a home grown American, although I am quick to admit not every kid basked in the kind of Americana I experienced. Some were so impoverished they got little or no education. Others were born into Non/native-born families where parents still spoke their native language at home, the kids having difficulty going back and forth between Italian/Spanish at home and English at school. Still others were known as red-diaper babies because their parents were ideologically devoted to socialism/ communism. There were whole communities like this where even the schools subscribed to leftist idealism, rejecting America’s democratic-republicanism. Presumably such kids grew up American in name only, never accepting or believing in fundamental American values.

Still speaking of home growns I know not every kid absorbed every idea or concept of what it means to be an American. Some took to heart its legacy, treasure, spirit while others I suppose took it for granted. To some, patriotism was/is embarrassing, even dumb. You didn’t go out of your way proclaiming it for fear you’d be judged unfairly as a nationalist or isolationist! My school and neighborhood being predominantly blue collar, many peers considered it mean spirited or uncaring, a kind of haves v have-nots dynamic, though why they would think we thought of ourselves as privileged/special is beyond me!

I remember being called a Bircher and Republican in High School, even Capitalist and this was the last thing one wanted! The John Birch Society was ultra-right wing and vehemently anti-Communist! You could agree but never brag, it just wasn’t cool. To get back we slogan-reversed better dead than red at them. Thinking of it now, were we all valid Americans, with some more liberal minded than others?

It seems any particular place/time there have been traditional conservative Americans and quasi/pseudo Americans among homegrowns, depending on how liberal their views. Today we have many Non/native-born citizens and Non/citizens comprising our populace. Also undocumented illegals thought by some to be upwards of 20 million.

Regarding Non/native born naturalized citizens, these gain full participation in society and can vote. It’s questionable however how truly American they’ve become? Some come from strict if not totalitarian places and know how lucky they are. Others seeking better financial circumstances or a friendy nanny-state government don’t care much about politics, only the benefits they can get while enjoying an easier life.

America today is a cauldron full of root-stock Americans and quasi/pseudo Americans who like it here but want to change things or think they want to change things to make it better, not understanding the political uncertainty that could bring. Some are home-grown, some not; some with respect for America and its heritage, some not. Some actually loathe America and want to bring it down to make room for a Communist/Globalist agenda and New World Order.

So what is an American? Again, I think one must honor and respect its founding documents, believe in truths enshrined there and project those truths/values to all parties; should be of a sharing and helpful disposition, willing to expend re-sources and time helping their fellow men; should be good citizens with law-abiding demeanor, their purpose being to personify as productive members of society.

English literacy is very important, but not critical. A Non-English speaking person can certainly hold and revere the principles and values of our founding. In fact, its sometimes said all freedom loving peoples around the world into the remotest corners are de facto Americans such that any attack on America is an attack on them!

Belief in any political system other than a democratic-republic would not be compatible with America. That includes any theocratic system where religious tenets supercede secular government. Islam is an example of a religion that cannot coexist with Americanism.

As already stated, America started and remains a Judeo-Christian culture, meaning the majority in the beginning believed in a monotheistic God. Today that belief has diluted somewhat, with fewer attending services regularly and with many attesting to either a deistic reality i.e belief in an undefined superior being, or an agnostic perspective i.e where one is uncomfortable/uncertain about any kind of God, preferring to leave it undecided/unascertained but stopping short of atheism.

So to partially answer the friend’s question about whether one must speak English or believe in God to be an American, I don’t think one needs to. Whether rich/poor, educated/dull, smart/dumb, worldly/unsophisticated or of any color or race, any freedom loving person can fill the bill. A true socialist however, or communist, globalist, atheist or one advocating any kind of religious fundamentalism/extreme libertarianism can’t be, in the truest sense of the word, an American.

An American loves his country, its Constitution, Declaration, Bill of Rights and other Amendments, system of government and living fabric of society. He / She understands it is multi-cultural, marginally polyglot and monotheistic in the main. Also understood is the fact there cannot be a perfect society providing all things to all peoples, nor can there be complete unencumbered freedom. Citizens must share being responsible for maintaining rules, accounting for government. In this regard, apathy, ambivalence and acquiescence are our greatest enemies . . .

You’ve Been Reading Shaneview

I’m Al Shane

Alvan I. Shane Author, The Day Liberty Wept 2270 N Euclid Ave Frequent Op-Ed Contributor Upland, Calif 91784 Political Donor to Cons Grps / Causes (909) 946-5104 Ex-Marine / California native info@shaneview.com Tax Accountant / Mar 43yrs / 1 son
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