Comments on: Who defines America? http://rufreeman.com/2009/06/who-defines-america/ Author & Activist Thu, 17 May 2012 18:29:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Mary Akers http://rufreeman.com/2009/06/who-defines-america/comment-page-1/#comment-163 Mary Akers Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:25:48 +0000 http://rufreeman.com/?p=683#comment-163 Beautifully expressed, my dear. Beautifully expressed, my dear.

]]> By: Tony http://rufreeman.com/2009/06/who-defines-america/comment-page-1/#comment-156 Tony Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:36:32 +0000 http://rufreeman.com/?p=683#comment-156 very enlightening, especially the story of Deepak Unnikrishnan's parents precarious plight in Abu Dhabi. The best of this society is its ability to continually reinvent and redefine itself, sometimes in quantum fashion. And that process entails the numerous racial, ethnic, religious and cultural components continually engaging in the sculpting of America. very enlightening, especially the story of Deepak Unnikrishnan’s parents precarious plight in Abu Dhabi. The best of this society is its ability to continually reinvent and redefine itself, sometimes in quantum fashion. And that process entails the numerous racial, ethnic, religious and cultural components continually engaging in the sculpting of America.

]]> By: Deepak http://rufreeman.com/2009/06/who-defines-america/comment-page-1/#comment-154 Deepak Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:12:34 +0000 http://rufreeman.com/?p=683#comment-154 I am familiar with the anger a "resident" feels when one's nation is attacked by inhabitants who are clearly not its citizens. It is a fair reaction. But I am also of the opinion an individual needn't adore a place or be comfortable in it in order to cling to it or have the audacity to call it home. Sometimes, leaving immediately isn't an option, especially if you are desperate, even if you are on a visa. And sometimes, home is where you are; isn't complaining what one does at home? I have had a passport since I was born. My passport identifies my nationality but it gets it wrong, ignoring details. It does not pinpoint where I was raised, how I was raised, what I know, who I cannot be. I am not a citizen of the Emirates but it used to be my home. The papered statelessness or rootlessness or transplantation that has come out of this puts my identity in flux. Nevertheless, I think it is important to acknowledge some people leave not because they are unhappy, but because they cannot stay. Still, until you leave, even after you leave, home is home. Even if the paperwork suggests otherwise. I am familiar with the anger a “resident” feels when one’s nation is attacked by inhabitants who are clearly not its citizens. It is a fair reaction. But I am also of the opinion an individual needn’t adore a place or be comfortable in it in order to cling to it or have the audacity to call it home. Sometimes, leaving immediately isn’t an option, especially if you are desperate, even if you are on a visa. And sometimes, home is where you are; isn’t complaining what one does at home?

I have had a passport since I was born. My passport identifies my nationality but it gets it wrong, ignoring details. It does not pinpoint where I was raised, how I was raised, what I know, who I cannot be. I am not a citizen of the Emirates but it used to be my home. The papered statelessness or rootlessness or transplantation that has come out of this puts my identity in flux. Nevertheless, I think it is important to acknowledge some people leave not because they are unhappy, but because they cannot stay. Still, until you leave, even after you leave, home is home. Even if the paperwork suggests otherwise.

]]> By: Ru http://rufreeman.com/2009/06/who-defines-america/comment-page-1/#comment-153 Ru Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:14:03 +0000 http://rufreeman.com/?p=683#comment-153 As an addendum to the original post - and Sasialiters, do write your comments here so the conversation can be as engaging here as it is in my personal email! - I want to share this link to guernica magazine's pick, RELIGION OR ETHNICITY which is a collection of essays by Zvi Gitelman, which deals with the matter of Jewish identity. Here it is: http://www.guernicamag.com/blog/1124/staff_pick_jordan_hirsch_1/ As an addendum to the original post - and Sasialiters, do write your comments here so the conversation can be as engaging here as it is in my personal email! - I want to share this link to guernica magazine’s pick, RELIGION OR ETHNICITY which is a collection of essays by Zvi Gitelman, which deals with the matter of Jewish identity. Here it is: http://www.guernicamag.com/blog/1124/staff_pick_jordan_hirsch_1/

]]> By: Anne Gorrissen http://rufreeman.com/2009/06/who-defines-america/comment-page-1/#comment-140 Anne Gorrissen Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:04:19 +0000 http://rufreeman.com/?p=683#comment-140 Well put. I teach ESL. The stories I hear from clients makes my hair stand on end. Who do we think we are? Where would this country be without the infusion of the very people your last sentence refers to whether or not they have been here for 400 years or 4 days. Well put. I teach ESL. The stories I hear from clients makes my hair stand on end. Who do we think we are? Where would this country be without the infusion of the very people your last sentence refers to whether or not they have been here for 400 years or 4 days.

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