The Hyphen

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NavyDDG54 -> The Hyphen (5/30/2007 5:31:00 AM)
One of America's biggest problems today is the fact we are so divided to the point where we refuse to agree with anything that 'the other side' or 'those people' say. It is tearing our glorious country apart. One of the most blatant examples is the hyphen. as in AFRICAN-American, ASIAN-American, Hispanic-American, etc.... What happened to just being an American? I am a 3rd generation American, my family came from Poland, but I dont call myself a Polish-American, I am not Polish, I have never been to Poland, I feel no loyalty to Poland. So what right do I have to call myself Polish? This sums it all up perfectly: The Hyphen, Webster's Dictionary defines, Is a symbol used to divide a compound word or a single word. So it seems to me that when a man calls himself An "Afro-American," a "Mexican-American," "Italian-American," An "Irish-American," "Jewish-American," What he's sayin' is, "I'm a divided American." Well, we all came from other places, Different creeds and different races, To form a nation...to become as one, Yet look at the harm a line has done- A simple little line, and yet As divisive as a line can get. A crooked cross the Nazis flew, And the Russian hammer and sickle too- Time bombs in the lives of Man; But none of these could ever fan The fames of hatred faster than The Hyphen. The Russian hammer built a wall That locks men's hearts from freedom's call. A crooked cross flew overhead Above twenty million tragic dead- Among them men from this great nation, Who died for freedom's preservation. A hyphen is a line that's small; It can be a bridge or be a wall. A bridge can save you lots of time; A wall you always have to climb. The road to liberty lies true. The Hyphen's use is up to you. Used as a bridge, it can span All the differences of Man. Being free in mind and soul Should be our most important goal. If you use The Hyphen as a wall, You'll make your life mean...and small. An American is a special breed, Whose people came to her in need. They came to her that they might find A world where they'd have peace of mind. Where men are equal...and something more- Stand taller than they stood before. So you be wise in your decision, And that little line won't cause division. Let's join hands with one another... For in this land, each man's your brother. United we stand...divided we fall. WE'RE AMERICANS...and that says it all.

NorthernGent -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 5:39:36 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: NavyDDG54 One of America's biggest problems today is the fact we are so divided to the point where we refuse to agree with anything that 'the other side' or 'those people' say. So what right do I have to call myself Polish? The right to acceptance from the "other side"? 'Interesting you mention Nazis and the Soviet Communists in your post because they did exactly what you're advocating - they insisted everyone should buy into one idea.

NavyDDG54 -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 5:54:02 AM)
I am not saying that we think as one. There has to be debate. But not to the point where we refuse to believe ANYTHING from the other side, no matter how factual it is. I'm not singleing out democrats, i'm not singleing out republicans. It's a problem on both sides. I'm even guilty of it. And I am not Polish, I have no right to claim that I am Polish. I am an American. I was born in America, I lived my whole life in America, I protect America from her enemies. Poland is nothing but a European country to me. just like Spain or France. The times ahead are going to be trying, we are seeing the emergence of a vicious new enemy that lives hidden in populations in almost every coutry on the planet. We need to come together as a country, stand united, weather the storm as America has for the past 231 years. We can still maintain our free society that has made America what it is, without destroying our national identity. We are AMERICANS.

NavyDDG54 -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:09:42 AM)
you made a fine example to my point in a different topic: "This sounds like the usual argument - you and the people who think like you" if that is your attitude then we can never agree on anything. and while debate is good, we have to be able to compromise, but that attitude does not allow compromise.

darkinshadows -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:09:42 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: NavyDDG54 We can still maintain our free society that has made America what it is, without destroying our national identity. We are AMERICANS. I'm not.[;)] And there is a huge difference between National and Cultural Identity. Peace

Dauric -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:15:03 AM)
Yeah, I'd have to agree with Navy here. If an "African-American" went to Africa, I think they'd suffer from substantial culture shock. No matter how much they may emphasize the "African", to real Africans, they'll be just another American. It's not a matter of denying your heritage, I'm Irish, English, German and Sioux. But I'm not really any of them to the extent that I can 'wear the label' as it were. I can't speak German, I haven't a clue about the Sioux culture (or even what part of North America they are from), I'm not Catholic and I can't speak Gaelic. I only resemble the English so much as the U.S.A. has it's political roots in England, and I watch the BBCA. The only people who can -really- wear the title (In my not-so-humble opinion) are naturalized citizens. It's not a bad thing to emphasize the fact that members of a nation are indeed members of that nation. It's great that people recognise their own heritage, but to place such emphasis on it that it moves from acknowledgement to a point of cultural/economic/political division is more than is called for. $0.02, Dauric.

NavyDDG54 -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:15:50 AM)
Cultural identity is good, up to the point where it causes problems. IE hate crimes, riots, people suing people because they refuse to learn the language from their native land. I appreciate your posts. However I am puzzeled as to why, despite the fact this post was directed at Americans, the only replies have been from foreigners?

darkinshadows -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:20:20 AM)
quote: However I am puzzeled as to why, despite the fact this post was directed at Americans, the only replies have been from foreigners? Because this is a website open to all peoples? And I disagree that cultural diversity causes division. People cause division, not culture - its so easy to blame and finger point at the tools instead of taking responsibility. Peace

NorthernGent -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:23:38 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: NavyDDG54 you made a fine example to my point in a different topic: "This sounds like the usual argument - you and the people who think like you" if that is your attitude then we can never agree on anything. and while debate is good, we have to be able to compromise, but that attitude does not allow compromise. Yeah, and on that thread your thinking is one dimensional i.e. it is akin to expecting everyone to follow your rules. In reality, many people will tell you where to shove your rules. As a matter of fact, my attitude is live and let live providing this includes respecting the liberty of others. If a person wants to call themselves an ostrich, then so what? It's not your place to expect people to group behind your banner for a cause. That's their call. From your post, I see a nationalist agenda masquerading (thinly veiled) as an exchange of ideas.

NavyDDG54 -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:25:37 AM)
I didnt meant that you couldnt reply, I was simply wondering why no Americans had replied

darkinshadows -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:31:38 AM)
I know you were not and responded with my simple thought. I do not believe that the US has an idea on its identity as yet. It is too young in the grand scheme of things. It is a baby. It is a child that has been sent out to work too early. So people cannot identify with that which has no set identity which is why there is so much struggle from within. Peace

NavyDDG54 -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:32:02 AM)
it's not just about what they call themselves anymore, the myriad of cultures in America are developing on their own, many with feelings and beliefs that prevent and kind of mixture. America is a melting pot, it has always been a place where cultures joined and merged to form a new culture, American culture. today that is not the case, it goes way beyond simply what people call themselves, you have these different cultures that are growing so large they are clashing, and drowning the American way of life

Dauric -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:34:13 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: darkinshadows And I disagree that cultural diversity causes division. People cause division, not culture - its so easy to blame and finger point at the tools instead of taking responsibility. Peace It's a matter of the degree. a person recognises their own culture, decorates their home, wears clothes from their culture, observe holidays in ways traditional to their culture....... etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.. it's all good. When people isolate themselves from others based on their culture, that's where it's a problem. I have a friend that came up to Colorado from New Orleans, and he has some ...disturbing stories to relate, being a former police officer. There were a group of black high-school students who, shock of all shocks, didn't like Rap. In fact they prefered Punk music, yet they had to maintain an image of liking Rap music. When it was discovered by the student-body-at-large that they were actually Punk fans, they were shot. The entire group of them. They weren't "Loyal to their race" or some other such B.S. But it's cultural. The punk fans were expressing a different culture to the norm and were killed for it. $0.02, Dauric.

Bearlee -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:42:04 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Dauric ... I have a friend that came up to Colorado from New Orleans, and he has some ...disturbing stories to relate, being a former police officer. There were a group of black high-school students who, shock of all shocks, didn't like Rap. In fact they prefered Punk music, yet they had to maintain an image of liking Rap music. When it was discovered by the student-body-at-large that they were actually Punk fans, they were shot. The entire group of them. They weren't "Loyal to their race" or some other such B.S. But it's cultural. The punk fans were expressing a different culture to the norm and were killed for it. Please leave a reference... I have lived in CO for some time and do not recall this incident. b

darkinshadows -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:42:21 AM)
I understand Dauric, but that is down to the individuals concerned. It is still down to personal responsibility. Besides - for many many years, there have been seperate communities in the US - even in other countries. You have Christians and Catholics, and the Amish, the whites seperated themselves from the Native americans, then the blacks via slavery and now the spanish speaking/culture suffer the same fate. And the english have done the same over the years (slavery/ireland/india etc), so I am not US bashing. Peace

Dauric -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:45:33 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Bearlee quote: ORIGINAL: Dauric ... I have a friend that came up to Colorado from New Orleans, and he has some ...disturbing stories to relate, being a former police officer. There were a group of black high-school students who, shock of all shocks, didn't like Rap. In fact they prefered Punk music, yet they had to maintain an image of liking Rap music. When it was discovered by the student-body-at-large that they were actually Punk fans, they were shot. The entire group of them. They weren't "Loyal to their race" or some other such B.S. But it's cultural. The punk fans were expressing a different culture to the norm and were killed for it. Please leave a reference... I have lived in CO for some time and do not recall this incident. b It happened in Louisiana, New Orleans, not in Co. My friend was in the homicide division of N.O. before Katrina, Lives in Co. now.

LadyHugs -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 6:54:29 AM)
Dear NavyDDG54, Ladies and Gentlemen; I see that you took the words from John Wayne's Record--America, that he narrated about "The Hyphen." It should have been credited to John Wayne's work but, I do understand that it can be difficult to top what John Wayne said. It is a fact, that throughout his record he dearly loved America and wanted so much for a much more 'united' one. It can indeed be the same lamentations of those into BDSM to be more united and not so difficult as to entertain a thought of being a community. Just some thoughts. Respectfully submitted for consideration, Lady Hugs

juliaoceania -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 7:03:29 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: NavyDDG54 I didnt meant that you couldnt reply, I was simply wondering why no Americans had replied I was telling my Daddy just the other day, I really do not identify as an American, I identify more with being a Californian... posts like yours are why as a matter of fact. If you feel that it is divisive to be proud of one's ethic past, that is because you resent that other people are on some level. I suggest you take an ethnic diversity course to understand why people in this country do label themselves this way, and while there are many reasons, part of the reason is oppression from the majority culture. Now you may not like that people feel oppressed in this country, or believe that they are, but the fact of the matter, as long as people feel that way they will glom on to their ethnic identities as a source of pride... And I am sure that if you were in a room full of Polish Americans, you would indeed claim it and name it for yourself as a source of pride and connection to those around you... just human nature to after all... By the way, mostly I identify as a Scot American... although there are many other bloodlines coursing through my veins.. fact is that culturally this identity was given to me. No biggie... part of freedom is being able to embrace identity and commune with whom we want... right?

darkinshadows -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 7:06:05 AM)
Thank you for the information LadyHugs - and a simple thought for the OP. If a person cannot acknoweldge anothers words, how can a person acknowledge and own ones own identity? Peace

IrishMist -> RE: The Hyphen (5/30/2007 7:13:11 AM)
quote: One of America's biggest problems today is the fact we are so divided to the point where we refuse to agree with anything that 'the other side' or 'those people' say. It is tearing our glorious country apart. One of the most blatant examples is the hyphen. as in AFRICAN-American, ASIAN-American, Hispanic-American, etc.... What happened to just being an American? I am a 3rd generation American, my family came from Poland, but I dont call myself a Polish-American, I am not Polish, I have never been to Poland, I feel no loyalty to Poland. So what right do I have to call myself Polish? I was born here yet I do not identify at all as American. I am Irish. [:)] Where I was born has absolutly nothing to do with my ethnic/cultural background. With that said, Dark and Julia...well said

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