Once again, I have found something that sincerely has my mind racing in an incredible need to write down my thoughts.
For those of you out there interested: I am an American born, Middle Class white women, with roots in Northern, Middle and Southern Europe, as well as the Iberian Peninsula, with a tiny splash of Mexican decent. Do you see me complaining about the lack of equality for my ancestors?
Many of you don't believe me when I say that there was discrimination against most of my ancestors in America. Allow me to prove you wrong.
I'm Irish. Do you have any idea the descrimination in New York when my ancestors came over in the Potato famine? It was impossible to find jobs, much less equal pay.
Do you see me crying foul?
I am German. World War's 1 & 2 had the American people burning our books and calling us Krauts to our faces, refusing to buy our wares from the shops owned, blaming us for the havoc overseas.
We have not requested an apology of any kind.
I am Italian. We where the subject of numerous hate crimes and discrimination in the late 1800's and early 1900's, the most well known being the mob lynching of 9 Italians in New Orleans and subsequent arrest of hundreds of Italian Americans in 1891.
I'm not asking for any recompense.
I am English. The entire reason the US is here is because of Religious discrimination in England in 1600's, forcing Puritans to leave Europe for the New World in search of religious freedom and peace.
But see, I am also proud of who I am. I am descendant of great warriors and rulers, who all, in their own time on this planet, have in some way, shape, or form, contributed mightily to this world.
I am the descendant of Celts, a complex and intricate society hundreds of years before Julius Ceaser ever invaded Britain. Its culture, history and religion dates long before Rome, a society so complex and secret, they still baffle historians to this day.
I am of the Roman's, rulers of the Ancient World, long before England became a world power. The descendant of mighty strategist and warriors, capable of great good, and great evil, a civilization spanning a thousand years. They art and culture lives on to this day, effecting everything from Politics to Art.
I am German, home of the Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the greatest composers in the history of the world. Also the home and birthplace of Martin Luther, who gave rise to the Lutheran Movement, of which every Christian who is not Catholic is a part of. Also home of the Holy Roman Empire, which lasted another thousand years after the fall of the Roman Empire.
I am English, the birthplace of the Magna Carte and the idea that all men are created equal, the Industrial Revolution, and foundation of modern American Politics.
I am also Mexican. The Aztec capital city, now modern day Mexico City was the largest capital in the world before the Spanish Conquest in 1519. To this day, the ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica remain largely a mystery.
I am all of these things. But more then that, I am an American. I don't cry foul when ever someone brings up American history, because if I did, you would laugh at me. But see, my people have been discriminated against just as much as any other. Just because I am European and white doesn't mean that my people have never been discriminated against.
But its not about discrimination. Its about being proud of what you are. I am Celtic, Roman, German, English and Mexican. I am from great people. People who I will never know of. And I am proud that they gave rise to modern society and people. But this is America. Its about the blend. Its about exceptance of all races, without discrimination. Its about saying, above all of these races, I am an American, born, bred, and raised as such.
And when everyone gets a hold of that, be they white, black, brown or pink, we will truly have a great nation.
