Un-American American.
America, is in my mind, like Bacon Salt.
Bacon Salt is amazing. It is a bacon flavored seasoning that is perfect on almost anything that actual bacon is good on, which is pretty much anything you can think of. With a few dashes, you can make your popcorn porcine. Turn biscuits bacon-y. Add hog to your hot dog.
Piggy perfection.
But, herein lies the rub (ba dump bump!)...
According to the website, Bacon Salt is "zero calorie, zero fat, vegetarian and kosher".
It is also low sodium.
So, in essence, what we have here is a low salt, non-meat, fat free fatty meat salt.
Wrap your mind around that. Then sprinkle some Bacon Salt on it. Yum....
But, as the thought of bacon is known to make me, I digress....
How is America like Bacon Salt?
Because, despite its existence, it shouldn't exist. It is a conundrum. A melange of seemingly disparate elements coming together to make a wonderful whole.
Individually, we are only American in relation to other Americans. American isn't just a flag, an oath or even a birthright. It is an interactive, evolving idea. America exists because the definition of America grows. America is inclusive, not exclusive.
And that is probably the most pernicious element of much of the rhetoric flying around. It isn't the violence of the words and images. America has always been a culture that glorifies and glamorizes violence. It is the underlying message that it is OK to think of those who disagree with you as "Un-American". As not one of us. An other. Unworthy of basic respect. To be destroyed and eradicated.
There isn't really any such thing as "Un-American"
I can hear the rebuttals now..."Socialism is Un-American!" No it isn't. We have Socialists and much of our local, state and national programs work with socialist principles. We have co-ops and public parks. "Censorship is Un-American!!" Wrong answer. There are things that you cannot print, broadcast or share. Censorship is an integral part of the communications structure. Just look at the brouhaha over Wikileaks.
Almost anything you can name is somehow represented in this country.
I have traveled all over the U.S.A.. From Duluth to Dothan. Kalispell to Kickapoo. It is in America where you can eat at a Chinese Buffet owned by Pakistanis, staffed predominantly by Mexicans and serving mostly Anglos and African Americans. Where, in the heart of Texas, you can listen to music that is a product of German and Mexican influence. Korean BBQ tacos in L.A. A mosque next to a Blockbuster in Dearborn. Where, when tragedy strikes, we do not stop to ask what nationality, what religion, what sexual preference you are when we lend a hand. Get on the El, or a NYC subway and you will see what America really is. Go to the Jazz Festival in New Orleans, or attend a pow-wow in South Dakota. Get away from the endless stream of divisive narrative being spewed from radios and televisions and actually go out and experience this great country of ours and you will see what I mean. Those who disagree with you are not enemies or others, they are proud Americans whose input into the national dialogue only helps to mold and enrich, not destroy. In fact, I'd submit to you, that the only thing that is "Un-American" is the concept of "Un-American" itself. Heterogeneous and proud of it!
Bacon Salt is amazing. It is a bacon flavored seasoning that is perfect on almost anything that actual bacon is good on, which is pretty much anything you can think of. With a few dashes, you can make your popcorn porcine. Turn biscuits bacon-y. Add hog to your hot dog.
Piggy perfection.
But, herein lies the rub (ba dump bump!)...
According to the website, Bacon Salt is "zero calorie, zero fat, vegetarian and kosher".
It is also low sodium.
So, in essence, what we have here is a low salt, non-meat, fat free fatty meat salt.
Wrap your mind around that. Then sprinkle some Bacon Salt on it. Yum....
But, as the thought of bacon is known to make me, I digress....
How is America like Bacon Salt?
Because, despite its existence, it shouldn't exist. It is a conundrum. A melange of seemingly disparate elements coming together to make a wonderful whole.
Individually, we are only American in relation to other Americans. American isn't just a flag, an oath or even a birthright. It is an interactive, evolving idea. America exists because the definition of America grows. America is inclusive, not exclusive.
And that is probably the most pernicious element of much of the rhetoric flying around. It isn't the violence of the words and images. America has always been a culture that glorifies and glamorizes violence. It is the underlying message that it is OK to think of those who disagree with you as "Un-American". As not one of us. An other. Unworthy of basic respect. To be destroyed and eradicated.
There isn't really any such thing as "Un-American"
I can hear the rebuttals now..."Socialism is Un-American!" No it isn't. We have Socialists and much of our local, state and national programs work with socialist principles. We have co-ops and public parks. "Censorship is Un-American!!" Wrong answer. There are things that you cannot print, broadcast or share. Censorship is an integral part of the communications structure. Just look at the brouhaha over Wikileaks.
Almost anything you can name is somehow represented in this country.
I have traveled all over the U.S.A.. From Duluth to Dothan. Kalispell to Kickapoo. It is in America where you can eat at a Chinese Buffet owned by Pakistanis, staffed predominantly by Mexicans and serving mostly Anglos and African Americans. Where, in the heart of Texas, you can listen to music that is a product of German and Mexican influence. Korean BBQ tacos in L.A. A mosque next to a Blockbuster in Dearborn. Where, when tragedy strikes, we do not stop to ask what nationality, what religion, what sexual preference you are when we lend a hand. Get on the El, or a NYC subway and you will see what America really is. Go to the Jazz Festival in New Orleans, or attend a pow-wow in South Dakota. Get away from the endless stream of divisive narrative being spewed from radios and televisions and actually go out and experience this great country of ours and you will see what I mean. Those who disagree with you are not enemies or others, they are proud Americans whose input into the national dialogue only helps to mold and enrich, not destroy. In fact, I'd submit to you, that the only thing that is "Un-American" is the concept of "Un-American" itself. Heterogeneous and proud of it!