How do you feel about the phrase "Homeland Security" or just Homeland?
Over in stoneself's lj, he was talking about how he doesn't like the phrase "homeland", when used in conjunction with national rhetoric.
I've never liked using either the word Homeland, or (most especially) the phrase "Homeland Security" in conjunction with talking about the USA. Everytime I hear either, I am disturbed and think of Nazi Germany.
To me, using Homeland or "Homeland Security" is a way to define who is one of us and who isn't; and while that can be a useful tool, the USA is based on trying to mesh "thems" into "us". That doesn't mean people need to move here and lose their culture; it means that (IMO) that we all learn from each other and create a stronger, more vibrant, society due to that. Homeland & "Homeland Security" is a very unwelcoming, insular, phrase that says anyone who is a "them" is not welcome.
However, depending upon whom you talk with, the "them" is someone different. If we refer back to Nazi Germany, my Germanic roots would be irrelevant as I am neither blonde, blue eyed, nor do I have the "pure" racial blood that Hitler demanded. However, my ancestry is as German as his (that is to say, Austrian).
Who is to say that just because I am dark[1] that I'm not American? Who is to say that my various friends who have non-European ancestries aren't American? Except, when we accept the rhetoric that goes with Homeland and "Homeland Security", that's exactly what's happening. If your ancestry is Pakistani and you cross the border too often, you're at risk at being questioned. If you look Middle Eastern, you might be constantly "randomly" given extra security when flying.
Am I the only one who's disturbed by this phrasing? I've never come up with a better phrasing, but I know there has to be one out there.
Poll In your opinion
[1]I have been mistaken for Hispanic, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, Pakistani, and (in one very memorable & crazy case) black.
I've never liked using either the word Homeland, or (most especially) the phrase "Homeland Security" in conjunction with talking about the USA. Everytime I hear either, I am disturbed and think of Nazi Germany.
To me, using Homeland or "Homeland Security" is a way to define who is one of us and who isn't; and while that can be a useful tool, the USA is based on trying to mesh "thems" into "us". That doesn't mean people need to move here and lose their culture; it means that (IMO) that we all learn from each other and create a stronger, more vibrant, society due to that. Homeland & "Homeland Security" is a very unwelcoming, insular, phrase that says anyone who is a "them" is not welcome.
However, depending upon whom you talk with, the "them" is someone different. If we refer back to Nazi Germany, my Germanic roots would be irrelevant as I am neither blonde, blue eyed, nor do I have the "pure" racial blood that Hitler demanded. However, my ancestry is as German as his (that is to say, Austrian).
Who is to say that just because I am dark[1] that I'm not American? Who is to say that my various friends who have non-European ancestries aren't American? Except, when we accept the rhetoric that goes with Homeland and "Homeland Security", that's exactly what's happening. If your ancestry is Pakistani and you cross the border too often, you're at risk at being questioned. If you look Middle Eastern, you might be constantly "randomly" given extra security when flying.
Am I the only one who's disturbed by this phrasing? I've never come up with a better phrasing, but I know there has to be one out there.
Poll In your opinion
[1]I have been mistaken for Hispanic, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Indian, Pakistani, and (in one very memorable & crazy case) black.