The 5th of May

Today is May 5th here in America. It's known by a different name in a different country where they speak a different language. It's a holiday for them, a celebration of their heritage and culture. All fine and dandy for them.

But I'm reminded of Teddy Roosevelt's words of wisdom: "There is no room in this country for hyphenated-Americans."

I used to make a big deal about my heritage, and where my ancestors came from. But as I've grown older, I've seen the mistake in putting too much stock in that. I'm an American. I always have been, and always will be. And that is what makes me the proudest. Being an American, born and bred.

Multiculturalism has run amok in this country. Many people take more pride in where they're from instead of where they are, and that seems backward to me. If they're so proud of where they're from, why are they here? Don't get me wrong: having pride in your roots is a fine thing. But when the pride of the roots takes over the pride of the tree, the tree's growth becomes stunted, and it never realizes its full potential. There is a reason why people have come, and continue to come, to America, since the nation was founded. It's the Greatest Nation on Earth. But it gets much less respect than it deserves. Many in this country who celebrate Cinco de Mayo are more proud of the Mexican side than the American one. That kind of thinking weakens the fabric of a nation.

So I won't even be a peripheral part of the celebration. People want to join in, that's their right, I suppose. But don't try to bring that party to my house.