Hyphenated - Americans
Kirk C Klingler

How did it become Conventional Wisdom to take our great country, which is so incredibly diverse, and to separate us into sub groups? How can this be a good thing? This defies Common Sense. As with many pervasive elements, it is one of those subtle things that creeps into our lexicon and then into our society and becomes established as a norm. Since we are an integrated society, for the most part, you don’t see the negative impact, yet. What I’m referring to the omnipresent way people in this country tend to refer to themselves as a (whatever) – American. I first noticed it when black people were referenced as African – Americans. Then the same reference was stretched to include religion (Muslim – American), Socio – Economic (Middle Class – American) and then even sexual orientation (Gay/Lesbian – American).

What is disturbing, it seems that these people don’t look at themselves as part of the huge mix of different races, cultures and religions that makes up America. I think the definition of being an American is someone that could be of any race, culture or religion. When I was growing up and going to school, America was referred to a great Melting Pot. We didn’t realize the brilliance in this idea at the time, but when looking back, what could be a better way to get us to integrate? This idea of hyphenating what type of American you are isn’t good. I believe, when you use the hyphen, you diminish how much you identify yourself an American. This is demonstrated in that whichever group you chose to identify with is placed before your status as American.

When we are segregated into these sub groups of Americans we can then be pitted against each other. I have seen politicians pander to a sub group and then suggest that some other sub group is taking advantage of that group. For example, this has occurred in Kansas City, Missouri, people said to the Latino – Americans sub group that another sub group, the Anti – Illegal Immigrant – Americans is somehow taking advantage of them and behaving in a racist manner. What that does is, it pits us against each other in a very nefarious way.

I believe, if you look at our society, we are becoming more and more integrated despite this silly idea of hyphenation. Inter-racial marriage is an example to demonstrate the way in which our society is becoming more and more homogenous. Inter-racial marriage was actually against the law in some states as little a fifty years ago. Something that defies this attempt to segregate us is the human heart. It is something hard to defy, the will of the heart. The shame of it all is that there are people, pundits, so called experts that attempt to exploit our differences. When Common Sense is considered, we should be championing the things we have in common such as Freedom, Liberty and our Culture.