Define 'American'
Before we go on, I want you to stop, grab a nearby piece of scratch paper, and jot down a quick list of characteristics that Americans share. What does it mean to be American? When you picture an American in your mind, what does he look like? What does he wear? How does he style his hair? And think about personality too. What kind of personality does he have? What does he do for fun? What does he think is important? How does he define success? What kind of music does he like? What movies does he go see? Also, think about demographics. What language does he speak? Where was he born? What were his parents like? Who did he marry? Does he have children? How many?
Make your list, and once you're done, open the spoiler text below to see how closely I was able to predict your list.
[My prediction]If you're like most Americans, your list probably looks something like this:
But it seems to me that, for the majority, and in particular, a lot of media personalities (conservative ones especially) seem to think that anyone who lacks too many of these characteristics is not really American. Certain talking heads rail against those with no children, or those who are not christian, or dares to wear non-standard clothing...
But here's the thing: I'm going to show you the list of characteristics that I think should be required to classify someone as an American. Ready?
[My list]
You see, the Founding Fathers intended the United States of America to be an open place, inviting all people. Ok, maybe not completely; at least some of them did own slaves, after all. And it can be argued that they may not have intended to allow Native Americans access to this utopia of liberty. But the basic intent was: anyone can come here to escape oppression. They did not intend to become the oppressors themselves, nor for their progeny (the political leaders who came after them) to do so.
And when you make a list that limits who is American and claim that anyone missing any of these characteristics is not American, you are oppressing people. You have become the very people from whom the Founding Fathers were trying to protect American citizens.
Maria Montes Fajardo was born in Mexico. She worked hard to move to the United States, and although she doesn't yet speak English, she is trying to learn. She went through all of the (ridiculously difficult and expensive) requirements to earn her citizenship, and is now a fully naturalised citizen of the USA. She listens to norteño and banda music. She is of hispanic heritage.
By many people's reckoning, she is not truly American, even though she has gone through the naturalisation process.
But in my opinion, even if she hadn't, she would still be American.
Because the way I see it, America is supposed to be a place where people can come to make a better life for themselves than what they had in their own country. And anyone who tries to limit based on any criterion, any at all, is making it harder for the people who truly need it to come here.
And that needs to stop.
Make your list, and once you're done, open the spoiler text below to see how closely I was able to predict your list.
[My prediction]If you're like most Americans, your list probably looks something like this:
- Caucasian
- Dresses in suit and tie for formal occasions, and t-shirt and/or simple button-down shirts with jeans for casual occasions
- Has short, neatly trimmed hair
- Is proud, of himself, of his family, of his house and car and possessions, of his religion, and most of all, of his country
- Has a pleasant, friendly, outgoing, and unashamed personality
- Watches sports or other TV for fun, sometimes going to a bar or a movie or a sporting event for fun
- Important things: God, money, patriotism, beer, cars, and to a lesser extent, food and a nice house.
- Success = having a job that pays lots of money, or possibly not even having a job, but just owning a business
- Music: Country and Rock 'n Roll
- Movies: raunchy comedies (like The Hangover or Your Highness) and special-effects action films (The Expendables or Wrath of the Titans)
- Speaks English and no other languages
- Born in the USA (small towns are especially preferred)
- Parents were good, christian, patriotic, upwardly mobile, traditional, flag-waving folk
- Married an attractive woman who focusses on caring for the children so he can go to work, even if she has a job too
- Has two or more children
But it seems to me that, for the majority, and in particular, a lot of media personalities (conservative ones especially) seem to think that anyone who lacks too many of these characteristics is not really American. Certain talking heads rail against those with no children, or those who are not christian, or dares to wear non-standard clothing...
But here's the thing: I'm going to show you the list of characteristics that I think should be required to classify someone as an American. Ready?
[My list]
- Is alive
- Is human
You see, the Founding Fathers intended the United States of America to be an open place, inviting all people. Ok, maybe not completely; at least some of them did own slaves, after all. And it can be argued that they may not have intended to allow Native Americans access to this utopia of liberty. But the basic intent was: anyone can come here to escape oppression. They did not intend to become the oppressors themselves, nor for their progeny (the political leaders who came after them) to do so.
And when you make a list that limits who is American and claim that anyone missing any of these characteristics is not American, you are oppressing people. You have become the very people from whom the Founding Fathers were trying to protect American citizens.
Maria Montes Fajardo was born in Mexico. She worked hard to move to the United States, and although she doesn't yet speak English, she is trying to learn. She went through all of the (ridiculously difficult and expensive) requirements to earn her citizenship, and is now a fully naturalised citizen of the USA. She listens to norteño and banda music. She is of hispanic heritage.
By many people's reckoning, she is not truly American, even though she has gone through the naturalisation process.
But in my opinion, even if she hadn't, she would still be American.
Because the way I see it, America is supposed to be a place where people can come to make a better life for themselves than what they had in their own country. And anyone who tries to limit based on any criterion, any at all, is making it harder for the people who truly need it to come here.
And that needs to stop.