An old well-known technique of overpowering and controlling your opponent is to "divide and conquer".

Are We All Americans?

Can't African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, etc., just be called Americans?

 An old well-known technique of conquering your opponent known to most people having any wisdom is to “divide and conquer”.  Even small children know this instinctively when playing one parent against another for some hidden agenda (usually a treat, toy, trip, etc.) or any desire one wishes for when they are not willing to do the work of earning what they want on their own, by their own efforts or sacrifices.

Now you ask, oh, why should one have to earn the right to be called American?  Well, that’s just it.  In this country, the title or label of American is freely given, if only you wish to take it.  It doesn’t have to be earned, but some have definitely sacrificed their own lives, or families, or lives of a loved one for generations, in order to protect that right and freedom to be called an American, simple for the choosing.  However, that is the “freedom factor” Americans enjoy, no matter what labels they care to tag themselves with or not. 

It is a privilege to be called American.  Simply and importantly, just plain, single American.  No hyphenations of any type that take away from the message and meaning that most people think of when defining the term American.  Many generations have shed blood across this country, and many others, as Americans, just plain Americans have benefited and prospered from those predecessors.  Even though they had historical roots, different genders, different skin tones, different hair textures, lengths, or colors, bearded, moustaches, or clean shaven, they were first and foremost proud to be known as Americans.  Why?  Because it was enough to stand for something true , brave, loyal, strong, and independent.  It was enough to be defender of the free world, the greatest and wealthiest country on earth, the provider of safe haven for political and religious refugees.  It was enough to be able to take in all the other countries’ “tired and weary” and provide them with freedom to express their opinions freely, worship the entity they chose in a synagogue, mosque, temple, church, or cabin in the woods.  It was enough they could wear whatever they chose, whether it be a turban, cowboy hat, Indian headdress, hardhat, sari, dress, pants, sandals, boots, or moccasins. 

The point is this.  When people are gullible enough to let organizations that have only to profit by advertising, styles, publications, clothing, media recognition, entertainment, or whatever industry or business they choose by exploiting and dividing people for a profit or an ulterior motive, they have not opened their own minds to make their own choices, rather they are being “led to the slaughter as sheep following one after the other blindly”, over the cliff of disaster.

They are letting all Americans, who live under one flag of freedom and liberty for all, to fly the flag of “look at me…I have to label myself different and demand more, so I can feel equal”.  This builds resentment and unrest, prejudice, and tears down the unification of pride in our country.  This also is highly disrespectful and an ungrateful attitude for the many generations of people who worked hard, and really sacrificed a big price in many ways, to build and defend, develop and produce, to make this country a leader among nations. If you want to blend in, be equal, why make yourself so different?

What other country can you name in the last fifty years that has had it’s borders totally open, accepting people from almost every other country in the world, to be able to come here, get public assistance if necessary to get them on their feet, start their own business, buy, own, and sell property, and enjoy all the amenities that people who were born into citizenship in this country have, including becoming United States citizens?

What other country do you see that lets people from other countries benefit by every means possible, and still have the freedom to burn this country’s flag, run down our political leaders, and fly their own country’s flag and speak their native tongue freely?  What other country makes the citizens who pay taxes have the added expense of printing utility bills, road signs, business signs, directions, phone bills, and medical information, etc. in several languages for the convenience of other cultures?

Despite the differences in people in this “melting pot” which is melting together more every day in every way, yet maintaining cultural, language, political, and religious differences, we can all be united and working toward the common good and welfare of all people….if….we don’t let selfish, greedy, factions and ideas divide and conquer the ultimate goal…”liberty and justice for all”, and the pride and honor of being called an American, plain and singular. If you have to add a hyphen to justify your importance, why not put the American part first, and then you hyphenated label? As long as we are adopting and allowing labels to be attached, dividing our identities, we can never be “ONE nation, with liberty and justice for all.”