We Are All Americans

It's barely 8:30 am and my feathers are ruffled BIG TIME already. Right away on CNN this morning, I start hearing about this idiot who wants to declare September 11 to be "National Burn the Koran Day." WTF??? America is based on the freedom of religion. We would not even exist if it weren't for the desire of certain Englishmen to break away from the Church of England. And the bottom line here is that, unless you are Native American, we ALL come from another country somewhere down the line. So, why now are we so down on everyone?? Why shouldn't others have the same opportunities that our ancestors had?

That said, I do agree that illegal immigration should be better controlled (elimination is impossible). Border jumping is not what I am advocating here. However, legal immigration is a huge part of our history and is what continues to make America the melting pot it was born to be. And I do agree that English should be our national language. We were founded by the English and that should be enough to say English is our language. People wishing to live here should learn English so we can all function in harmony. That's a basic necessity. It has nothing to do with anything but the functioning of America as a whole.

A few months ago, some idiot I used to call a friend sent me a text message I am sure she thought was hilarious. It said something to the effect of "Foreigners go home." I was not impressed. If that had been the law in 1954, I would not be enjoying the freedoms I was born into as an American citizen. My mother came to the United States from Germany in 1954, less that 10 years after the end of WWII and Nazi Germany. She had already married my father, a serviceman with the United States Air Force. She was a full-fledged United States citizen by marriage then went on to earn her naturalization certificate on her own. And she has every right to be here. But, shortly after her arrival, my grandmother, a Baptist, took her son and new daughter-in-law to church to introduce them to her friends. My mother, a Lutheran, was shunned and ignored by these church-going, pseudo-Christians because she carried a thick German accent and spoke in broken English. My grandmother, a member of that church since the early 1930's, never went back after that day. She found a new church with people that believed in equality and love for everyone. She found a church full of true Christians.

This morning, there was a post on Facebook that said, "Dear Muslim Americans, I am sure you are very nice, peace loving folks. But there are bad guys disguised as you. If you feel your rights are being compromised and would like to file a complaint, please get in line behind the Japanese Americans affected by events after Pearl Harbor. In the meantime, here's a cup of 'shut up and take one for the team.' It's what Americans do. You are Americans right? If you don't believe me, stop at Arlington National Cemetery."

I was absolutely shocked to read this. Is that really the sentiment of America? Should all Muslims be punished for the terrorst attacks from NINE YEARS AGO because "that's what Americans do"?? When I read that, I am almost ashamed to be an American. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States government rounded up all the Japanese citizens they could find and sent them to designated areas that were, sans the torture and murder, very much like concentration camps. Was that fair? Was that just? We as Americans pride ourselves in our rights and our Constitution. You can bet that anyone arrested in this country is suddenly an expert on their Constitutional rights. But there sure are people out there who feel that they deserve these rights and others don't. It doesn't work that way, people. Constitutional rights are guaranteed to EVERY U.S. citizen from the time they are born or naturalized until the time they die, regardless of gender, race, national origin or religion. The First Amendment guarantees it. And before you get on your soapbox and preach about your rights, remember that it is only luck that made you an American citizen by birth. You could have just as easily been born in Communist China and may be singing an entirely different tune.

The next time you meet someone who practices Islam or speaks with a foreign accent, say, "Hello" and make a new friend. Take one for the team. THAT'S what Americans do. If you don't believe me, ask my mother.