The Melting Pot
Continuing the discussion of yesterday…
Just as an amalgam of metals becomes a stronger combined material than any of the individual components (which surrender some of their own unique chemical properties in the process), the collective PEOPLE of our country… the “melting pot”… is stronger by becoming “one”. It should be obvious, then, that WE cannot be “one” if any group of us decides to promote their individual “value” above that of the whole.
There is an old saying which holds great truth: united we stand, divided we fall.
Typically, you hear about “the melting pot” when referring to immigrants. Lately, there’s been considerable discussion about Mexicans entering the U.S. illegally. Thirty years ago, there was a large influx of Vietnamese who came hear after the war in their country. People of all nationalities have immigrated to our country since its inception, sometimes in waves.
Most of the time, those who risked everything to adopt our country also expended a great deal of effort to become good citizens. They learned English, they got jobs (sometimes quite menial work), they paid their bills and taxes, and worked hard to improve their situation… and didn’t rely on government handouts. Many became success stories in our free enterprise system, founding businesses that did well in their communities… some still exist today.
I believe the problem most current citizens have with many (but not all) new immigrants is that they have chosen not to integrate into our society. Instead of learning our language and embracing our values, they shun the language of the land and do not appreciate the many things that make our country great. They insist on putting the priority on their own language and customs. In these cases, the most natural question to ask is: why did those individuals come to the U.S. if they don’t want to “become American”?
There is an old expression: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
But these “complaints” are about people who chose to come to our country. It seems their decision should include adapting as fully as possible to OUR culture.
The singing of the “Black National Anthem”, however, is a very different matter. It exemplifies a situation that has been simmering for many years in the U.S. that is quite troublesome. It is apparent there exists some faction within the African-American population of U.S. CITIZENS who are quite dissatisfied with their lot in life. I have no statistics to cite, but I suspect anywhere from 20% to 30% of the members of the black race fall into this category. A minority within a minority, if you will.
To be clear, most African-Americans in our country. are doing better than ever before, notwithstanding any room for improvement in the area of race relations, and are striving to be “good Americans” like most other citizens. They work hard, get an education, pay their taxes, and live responsible lives in their communities.
But the “agitated group” seems to be taking voice in a wide range of venues and the things they are saying, and presumably believing, are quite disturbing. At the core of their dissatisfaction seems to be an attitude that they are owed something.
And, if you listen to their self-appointed spokespersons, you would think slavery still exists… that no black has a chance in our country… that the government intentionally limits their opportunities… that whites are the enemy… and that the solution may very well be an armed revolt!
While there may be cases today where a black person has actually been wronged, you can find cases where whites, hispanics, asians, indians, and persons from every race have been wronged… but I do not believe it is a pervasive problem., certainly not to the extent the so-called “leaders” of this group would have you believe.
In fact, if you look at these “leaders”, they are very prominent, they have a lot of money, they live in big houses and drive expensive cars! Though they’re not elected, I view them the same as many POLITICIANS… and they, in fact, practice politics every day. They gain support by EXCITING their followers, by PANDERING to their constituents, by PROMISING things they can’t deliver, by IRRITATING everyday minor “bumps and bruises” to the point where they are festering sores. Despite what they say, and they say it very well, I am convinced they do what they do and say what they say all with the intention of helping THEMSELVES. Period.
This is not a healthy scenario.
It is bad enough when people have problems to deal with… we ALL do… but when someone comes along and convinces them that the problems are the fault of others, it undermines self-accountability. It makes that person’s level of success or failure due to the actions of someone else, not themselves. It makes them, in certain respects, slaves. And why would anyone enslave themselves?
