As the earth turns its 237th revolution around the sun since the Revolutionary War gave birth to our nation back in 1776 we must ask ourselves, “What has America become?”
Our nation has celebrated its immigrant heritage for many years, most famously perhaps by the inscription on the Statue of Liberty by Emma Lazarus:
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free…” (The New Colossus, 1883)
What seems generally accepted is that we ARE a nation of immigrants – although the native Americans among us might have a different point of view. What seems to change is that some immigrant waves are more acceptable than others. Nonetheless, the reason for immigration remains constant, that we need a vibrant labor force to help build the nation’s future.
In order to build an enduring and thriving nation we accept people who believe in the American dream – a dream which is made more accessible in the USA compared to their native countries. What some intellectuals fail to understand is that Hispanic immigrants come to America driven by the same dream that induced the British, Irish, German, Italian and Asian immigrants to come here…the chance for a better way of life for themselves and their families. Patrick Buchanan (State of Emergency, 2006) likes to purport that some of us want to transform America back into our native countries (in reference to Aztlán and the Southwestern United States)…but he really misses the point. Although recent Latino immigrants feel a sense of responsibility to provide assistance to our families south of the border, we know we came to America because we believe the USA’s values and economic system will better enable us to succeed. Frankly, America is much more of a meritocracy than most other nations and certainly more so than the average Latin American nation.
During last Sunday’s mass at my local parish, presided over in English by our Spanish-accented pastor, the choir (led by a Spanish-accented soprano) ended the mass with the revered song “God Bless America” (Irving Berlin, 1918). Although the majority of participants, even at the English mass, are Latino (bi-lingual, no doubt) the performance of this song was perfectly befitting of the occasion and reflects accurately the feeling of Latinos in America today. YES, we are patriots – in 2009, 114,601 foreign-born individuals served in the U.S. military (Immigration Policy Center, 2009). And YES we frequently indulge in customs from both our American and Latino cultures, even if we have mixed feelings about our home countries. After all, our hemisphere was named after an Italian-born explorer deployed by Spain towards our Eastern shores, to capture riches and to spread Christianity (Catholicism) — yet most Latin American nations continue to host a huge disequilibrium in wealth that keeps too many of their citizens in extreme poverty and illiteracy.
So, at your next 7th inning stretch, feel free to pronounce América with an accent and be proud that patriots come in many authentic flavors.
Do you have an opinion or question regarding this subject? Please feel free to reply.
Great article, and yes, the American dream has remained exactly that…American. The general desire of the Latino immigrant is NOT to transform America into a version of their homeland, but to weave a piece of their homeland into the fiber of America. As our pledge states, we unite as ‘one’ nation under God, not ‘many’ nations. I am an immigrant who is proud of the customs, traditions, and cultures I brought with me, however I kiss the American ground I walk on as the opportunity I am afforded here is like none other in the world.
Great article the one great contribution often overlooked by the mainstream media and quite frankly us who are in multi cultural media as well is the contribution of your latino men and women in the military. Latinos are currently the largest minority group in the Marine Corp and the numbers in al the Armed Services continue to grow. So yes God Bless America and God Bless our troops.
Very good read, Cesar. You’re right in the comment about some immigrant waves being less (or more) acceptable than others. I came to the US from Mexico when I was 3, I grew up on an Indian reservation in the 60s and 70s where the majority of the population was Mexican and 4 different Native tribes (this is a farming area), so a variety of languages were spoken. I also remember hearing from many that even the Natives were not “real Americans”- whatever that may mean. It’s been an interesting dilemma to observe and be a part of over the past few years here in Arizona, which at times appears to be little more than Pendejolandia.
It’s an attitude that is cyclical, depending on the state of the economy and the opportunity to raise fear and criticism.
I’ve always felt the best and hardest work ethic was the immigrant work ethic. Those who don’t know are those who don’t know these communities.
And yes, ¡God Bless América!
Cesar,
As you can see from my name I am not a Latino but I am the grandchild of immigrants.
Muchas gracias. I wish sanity like yours was more widespread.
Excellent article, I absolutely agree with all what you expressed here. It shows exactly the way it is and the way the majority of us feels and considers ourselves. It is also a great educational piece, As you well said… God Bless América… and I will say it with accent and with proud.
Great post Cesar. This reminds me of a lesson that I am always trying to portray to my clients… this is a forward-looking immigrant population. Theirs is a story of empowerment, not victimization. Theirs is a story of perseverance and embetterment, not trying to recreate a reality they left in Latin America. Customs, traditions, language, cuisine, music and ethnic celebrations may be so bold that it feels like there is resistance to change, but it is merely pride in the one characteristic that most greatly defines us — our culture. This is a forward looking, and forward moving consumer and citizen. That is what our Latino bretheren are here.. and each generation carries that torch toward a better life. God Bless America indeed.