Are
We Not All Americans before or after the Hyphen?
By P. Patrick Ashouri, Esq.
Chairman
Multi-Cultural Advisory Committee (MCAC)
CA
Emigrés the world over, migrate to the
United States calling Her their new home, including
Italians, Germans, French, Lebanese, Egyptians,
Spanish, Iranians, Indians, Pakistanis, Iraqis,
to Russians, Mexicans, Brazilians, Chinese, Japanese
and Irish, etc. Each culture brings with it a
wealth of history, custom and cultural nuances
which can not be appreciated until understood.
That which is unknown often causes fear and apprehension
in most of us. We are all proud of our heritage,
culture and customs. But when it comes to sharing
another’s culture, some “native born”
have an inherent resentment to that which is different.
Multi-Cultural understanding and appreciating
other’s culture, customs and traditions
have been shown to render an atmosphere of respect
and mutual understanding.
Earlier generations - those who settled here in
the 18th and 19th centuries - occasionally affect
a somewhat more vested interest in the United
States than those who migrated here from the last
half of 20th century to the present. It is this
“who came here first!” misconception
that fuels the fire of prejudice and differentiation
based on ancestry and ethnicity.
Our Courts interpret, analyze and apply US law,
often responding to political pressure, diverse
constituencies or geo-political events. The judiciary
has attempted, over the past few decades, to define
who is citizen, immigrant, immigrant alien, documented
alien or undocumented alien and, has categorized
numerous administrative and legal procedures to
obtain various classifications under Immigration
and other Federal law.
As a member of the aforementioned population,
I can only believe that as long as our “pledge”
and the law that grids it, stand for the equal
protection, liberty and justice for all, America
shall provide an unprejudiced safe harbor for
those who flee oppression and dictatorship. We
émigrés are seeking to have a secure
home to raise our families, contribute to society
and participate in advancing humanity, and its
aspiration of mutual understanding and respect.
It is our pledge of allegiance which keeps us
all tied together and has for centuries by concluding
“…liberty and justice for all.”
Being American is accepting America for the colorful
tapestry it is, respecting émigrés
cultures which constitute the interwoven fabric
of our society. We, by respecting Her laws and
those who enforce it, expect the government to
transparently uphold its oath to the Constitution
for the protection of all, whether during times
of war or peace. We are, after all, all hyphenated-Americans.
http://www.malekifoundation.org/a1.htm
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