Unhyphenated-American

[Richard Crowe]

On the day after Veteran's Day, I thought that I would write down my personal manifesto...

My European ancestors immigrated from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany over a two and a half century period, beginning in 1634 and culminating in the late 1880’s.

 

When my European ancestors arrived, others of my family were already established in the New World. They were members of the great Cherokee Nation.

 

Another direct ancestor, fighting along with Jefferson Davis and his Mississippi Rifles in the Mexican War, fell in love with a Mexican Senorita named Maria. He married her and brought her back to Mississippi as one of America’s first “war brides”.

I am totally American! I am not an “English-Irish-Scot- German-Cherokee-Mexican-American. Neither my children nor my grandchildren are “hyphenated-Americans”; although my grandchildren can claim English, Irish, Welsh, Scottish, German, Cherokee, Mexican, Italian and Polish descent.

 

I am proud to be an “Un-Hyphenated American!

 

I am proud to say the Pledge of Allegiance in English because English is my native language; not Gaelic, German, Cherokee or Spanish.

 

I am proud that our nation’s motto is “Out of Many One”!

 

I am proud that our nation’s coins bear the inscription “In God We Trust” and I am proud to say “God Bless America”!

 

I am proud of my ancestors who fought for the cause they believed right in almost all of our nation’s wars and I am proud to have served in the U.S. Navy for over thirty years and to have served my community as a rehabilitation counselor for an additional fifteen years.

 

Although many of my ancestors were victims of extreme prejudice and others openly attacked – I am proud that members of my family have become through fire and crucible as the Eternal Americans.

 

I will gladly echo the sentiments written at the feet of our Lady of Liberty and welcome new immigrants who still flock to this country as mine did, beginning in 1634.

 

I will gladly support the rights of these new members of our society to the freedoms and plenty that have made my Nation great and a magnet for the oppressed and needy people of this world.

 

However I ask that these persons who are gaining access to the “Golden Door” become loyal Americans like my ancestors did and I ask that they forsake their native languages as have people who have arrived in this country for several hundred years.  I ask that they use English as their language as my ancestors learned to do because a bilingual nation is a divisive nation!  I also demand that, although they remain proud of their heritage, they regard themselves as Americans; not as hyphenated Americans.

 

 

 

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree that America is a big blending pot and we should all be proud not only of our heritage but to be proud of being Americans. We should to add the customs and language of the US to our repertoire if we were not born here. And your family and you have served this country well, thank you.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks for posting this.  Those of us who are Americans should be proud of our heritage and prouder still of our citizenship.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Thank you for your service Richard!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Great essay Richard, and I too thank you for your service.  

[Chelsie]

Couldn't agree more! And thank you for your service!

[Gail and Bailey]

Amen to all of this and God Bless you, Richard!!!!!