Wish I Were Italian...Or Something.
This may seem like a strange blog--and it probably is--but I'm writing it anyway. (That's how you know you're a genuine writer.) I am supremely proud of my American heritage, not to mention the fact that I have deep roots in German and Scots-Irish ancestry. Nonetheless, there are times when I wish I were less of an ethnic mongrel, so to speak. I really have no one European lineage to identify with, which so many Americans do. I think it would give me a better sense of where my ancestors came from, what they suffered, and what exactly brought them here. Instead, I am finding I have to piece together the many morsels of my ancestry...a little Scottish here, a little English there, some German, a tad of Italian Swiss and even Chippewa Indian.
What am I, then? One hundred percent American indeed, and that will always be my primary identity. But I must admit, it would be nice to have a strong, unbroken tie to a certain foreign country, so as to give my forefathers' (and mothers) saga more meaning...and my eventual planned pilgrimage to such a place. I'm quite jealous of those in our society, particularly Italian- and Irish-Americans, who have such clear, defined, unadulterated attachments to their ethnic heritage and history. I realize it's probably because they've been through a lot more adversity and exclusion than perhaps my English or German forebears, but nonetheless...I'm green with envy--or orange, since I'm a partially Scots-Irish Protestant.
If I could choose any one ethnicity, or at least one apart from my myriad, it would probably be Italian. I'll always adored Italian "stuff." Glorious food and drink, great music and literature (I actually love opera), Renaissance art and architecture, beautiful passionate brunettes, a home country with perhaps the richest and most colorful history and landscape--alongside Greece--in all of Europe. (Granted, I would probably have to become Roman Catholic, but even as a proud Protestant with grave misgivings about Catholic theology, I see Catholics as my Christian brethren.) Not only that, I would enjoy being part of a culture that values family life, national loyalty, and simple pleasures above all else (although the whole Mafia thing would be a bit of a turn-off). I think America used to exhibit those qualities, but we've become such a corporate-driven, materialistic, hedonistic, cynical, weak, pro-choice, pro-criminal, pro-globalist, anti-war, anti-religion, anti-decency, self-absorbed, "diversity"-instead-of-unity freak show, that I sometimes no longer recognize Lady Liberty or Uncle Sam in our midst.
But forgive me for digressing. My point is somewhat tongue-in-cheek...I am not really saying I want to convert to a different nationality. I just think it would be nice if I could cling to an American and another country's flag. After all, our immigrants' dual identity has always been a valuable, integral part of our society. We have always been populated by people proud of where they came from, even prouder of where they have come. I guess I will just have to cling to the one flag I love--and would love--more than any other anyhow, that of brave, freedom-loving, red-white-and-blue Old Glory...which is fine with me. If and when I plan my pilgrimage to my ancestors' home countries, I'll just have to visit five or six instead of only one. The more the merrier, I suppose. Perhaps in that sense I am more of a true American. E pluribus unum, eh?
What am I, then? One hundred percent American indeed, and that will always be my primary identity. But I must admit, it would be nice to have a strong, unbroken tie to a certain foreign country, so as to give my forefathers' (and mothers) saga more meaning...and my eventual planned pilgrimage to such a place. I'm quite jealous of those in our society, particularly Italian- and Irish-Americans, who have such clear, defined, unadulterated attachments to their ethnic heritage and history. I realize it's probably because they've been through a lot more adversity and exclusion than perhaps my English or German forebears, but nonetheless...I'm green with envy--or orange, since I'm a partially Scots-Irish Protestant.
If I could choose any one ethnicity, or at least one apart from my myriad, it would probably be Italian. I'll always adored Italian "stuff." Glorious food and drink, great music and literature (I actually love opera), Renaissance art and architecture, beautiful passionate brunettes, a home country with perhaps the richest and most colorful history and landscape--alongside Greece--in all of Europe. (Granted, I would probably have to become Roman Catholic, but even as a proud Protestant with grave misgivings about Catholic theology, I see Catholics as my Christian brethren.) Not only that, I would enjoy being part of a culture that values family life, national loyalty, and simple pleasures above all else (although the whole Mafia thing would be a bit of a turn-off). I think America used to exhibit those qualities, but we've become such a corporate-driven, materialistic, hedonistic, cynical, weak, pro-choice, pro-criminal, pro-globalist, anti-war, anti-religion, anti-decency, self-absorbed, "diversity"-instead-of-unity freak show, that I sometimes no longer recognize Lady Liberty or Uncle Sam in our midst.
But forgive me for digressing. My point is somewhat tongue-in-cheek...I am not really saying I want to convert to a different nationality. I just think it would be nice if I could cling to an American and another country's flag. After all, our immigrants' dual identity has always been a valuable, integral part of our society. We have always been populated by people proud of where they came from, even prouder of where they have come. I guess I will just have to cling to the one flag I love--and would love--more than any other anyhow, that of brave, freedom-loving, red-white-and-blue Old Glory...which is fine with me. If and when I plan my pilgrimage to my ancestors' home countries, I'll just have to visit five or six instead of only one. The more the merrier, I suppose. Perhaps in that sense I am more of a true American. E pluribus unum, eh?
posted by Douglas Schrock at 5:35 PM
2 Comments:
I think this problems stems from being born a member of a country with such a short history. My heritage is Italian-Irish but I don't identify that much with my heritage - it just wasn't a part of my childhood and something I've only recently become more interested in. America lacks castles, ruins, and ancient history. We have Native Amerian history but honestly very few of us can identify with that because our roots stem from elsewhere. America often feels cultureless to me, like we have so little to grasp on to but material things. All Americans may be connected through nationality but the lack of a common culture (and I mean a real culture) is what pulls us apart. This country is so polarized and consumed by an us vs. them mentality that developing a culture is pointless.
And now that I've rambled on...sorry about that.
-GenuineTwist
(BTW, the is good ole' Jessi)
Jessi!!! Thanks for stopping by...I couldn't have stated it better myself. I didn't, haha. You have a splendid blog yourself, by the way.
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