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Of Culture and Identity

By U.S. News Staff

June 12, 2008 RSS Feed Print

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"In a New Country, Struggling to Fit In" [May 26-June 2] approached a timely topic but from a backwards perspective.

Immigration is an issue in our country, but assimilation should not be assumed to be the answer to the problem. I don't find it problematic that after four generations certain populations maintain their heritage, identity, and language, whether that be Spanish, Arabic, or Korean. America was not founded on principles of assimilation but rather tolerance, acceptance, and freedom. Our great melting-pot nation would do well to encourage immigrants to maintain their heritage, identity, and language, while also encouraging them to acquire the skills (if they do not already have them) to attain whatever level of economic stability they seek.

Barbara Bird
Department of French and Italian
University of Wisconsin - Madison

As an immigrant myself, I believe we should not be called Mexican-American or African-American. We are Americans, either by birth or through naturalization, and, as citizens, have many privileges, including the right to vote. If we are citizens of another country, then we should refer to ourselves as such.

Ingrid Kemper
Henderson, Nev.

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“Stop using the ‘n’ word” – FINAL ACT: Nia (Purpose)
Dr. Maulana Karenga enlightens humankind –
The principle of Nia (Purpose) reinforces the central ethical teachings of our ancestors that humans are chosen to bring good in the world and all in it are secured. It cultivates in us an active consciousness of this sacred assignment given by heaven and compelled by history and reminds us to be rightfully attentive to the awesome duty our identity demands of us in our personal and social relationships and lives…
Ma’am – The IRONY of your predicament does not escape me…evoking thoughts of little European boys & girls searching for monkey-tails as U.S. [AMERICAN] soldiers helped to secure the democratic ideals that our REPUBLIC so zealously ‘trumpeted’ (at home and abroad)!
I RESPECT the military-services because they were one of the FIRST bureaucracies to desegregate (for whatever political, moral, or practical reason. Nonetheless, the fact remains that our actions enlightened humankind!!!). I am the descendant of a PROUD heritage of men & women who have served & died HONORABLY in the defense of our REPUBLIC. I, Abraham W. Adams, serve that NATION!!!
YOU TOO ARE SERVING HONORABLY!!!
Our institution is sacred & I refuse to allow the Barbarians at the Gate to defile MY/OUR institution. These deviants come in many shapes & forms but share the same lowest common denominator: They use their positions for, ‘Pleasure, profit, and personal safety’!
Monique Rhodes enlightens humankind –
All I am asking is for people to respect my rights!!!
Ma’am – Be good & safe!! WE SUPPORT YOU!!! Enjoy!!
RESPECT!!!
Abraham & Family 2008
Grieshiem, Germany

Abraham W. Adams 8:45AM July 07, 2008

“Stop using the ‘n’ word” – FINAL ACT: Nia (Purpose)
Dr. Maulana Karenga enlightens humankind –
The principle of Nia (Purpose) reinforces the central ethical teachings of our ancestors that humans are chosen to bring good in the world and all in it are secured. It cultivates in us an active consciousness of this sacred assignment given by heaven and compelled by history and reminds us to be rightfully attentive to the awesome duty our identity demands of us in our personal and social relationships and lives…
Ma’am – The IRONY of your predicament does not escape me…evoking thoughts of little European boys & girls searching for monkey-tails as U.S. [AMERICAN] soldiers helped to secure the democratic ideals that our REPUBLIC so zealously ‘trumpeted’ (at home and abroad)!
I RESPECT the military-services because they were one of the FIRST bureaucracies to desegregate (for whatever political, moral, or practical reason. Nonetheless, the fact remains that our actions enlightened humankind!!!). I am the descendant of a PROUD heritage of men & women who have served & died HONORABLY in the defense of our REPUBLIC. I, Abraham W. Adams, serve that NATION!!!
YOU TOO ARE SERVING HONORABLY!!!
Our institution is sacred & I refuse to allow the Barbarians at the Gate to defile MY/OUR institution. These deviants come in many shapes & forms but share the same lowest common denominator: They use their positions for, ‘Pleasure, profit, and personal safety’!
Monique Rhodes enlightens humankind –
All I am asking is for people to respect my rights!!!
Ma’am – Be good & safe!! WE SUPPORT YOU!!! Enjoy!!
RESPECT!!!
Abraham & Family 2008
Grieshiem, Germany

Abraham W. Adams 8:15AM July 07, 2008

“Stop using the ‘n’ word” Teil II – ACT II: OF LIFE & DEATH: Assimilation vs. Edification
‘Edification is my watch-word!’ said the young-man. Subtlety, He spoke these words into the young-man’s soul:
‘You can neither rend nor penetrate the EARTH nor reach a stature in height like that of the mountains – So walk not arrogantly in the earth, young-man’!
Edification is defined as – mental (& physical), moral, intellectual, and spiritual improvement – ENLIGHTENMENT!!!
ASSIMILATION equates to DEATH!
Our Nation was founded in the spirit of edification yet WE fail to UNITE as a nation. How dare WE!? How dare we allow our beloved NATION to taste like manure when they speak it…?
HOW DARE WE!?
As an American traveling abroad, I no longer try to justify our actions – [I] HUMANKIND ponders, ‘Assimilate to what’!?
Our rich history is being soiled by parlor-room magicians who actually think that no one recognizes (& appreciates) the fact that the ‘emperor is parading around…’
HOW DARE WE!? HUMANKIND ponders, ‘WHY’?
The 4th of July – Well, the 4th of July equates to ‘Junetenth’ – Although there are many examples thought-out humankind’s RICH history (Im thinking: David vs. Goliath) – ‘Cleaning up MY house is paramount’! – Evoking the Ayah:
There were two businessmen – One man possessed 99 ewes – the other, one RAM. The man of many numbers said, ‘I am more in number than you, (which in his mind equated to: ‘higher station’) therefore, give ME your RAM’!
HOW DARE HE!?
John F. Kennedy ENLIGHTENS HUMANKIND –
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of these human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge--and more.
To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do, for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder…
Writing these words today, call Shirley Chisholm to mind – TODAY, I {Abraham W. Adams} KNOW that I am a FREE AMERICAN!!!
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICA (231 + 1)!!!
TROOPS – WE SUPPORT YOU!!!
Thomas Jefferson resolved – ‘Let not 20 years past without a REVOLUTION’!
Very Respectfully,
Abraham W. Adams
Griesheim, Germany

Abraham W. Adams 11:08AM July 04, 2008

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