"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American . . . There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag . . . We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language . . . and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
~ Teddy Roosevelt, 1919
I checked About.com's Urban Legends to make sure this true. This is what they said:
"Comments: Theodore Roosevelt indeed wrote these words, but not in 1907 while he was still President of the United States. The passages were culled from a letter he wrote to the president of the American Defense Society on January 3, 1919, three days before Roosevelt died.
""Americanization" was a favorite theme of Roosevelt's during his later years, when he railed repeatedly against "hyphenated Americans" and the prospect of a nation "brought to ruins" by a "tangle of squabbling nationalities."
"He advocated the compulsory learning of English by every naturalized citizen. "Every immigrant who comes here should be required within five years to learn English or to leave the country," he said in a statement to the Kansas City Star in 1918. "English should be the only language taught or used in the public schools."
"He also insisted, on more than one occasion, that America has no room for what he called "fifty-fifty allegiance." In a speech made in 1917 he said, "It is our boast that we admit the immigrant to full fellowship and equality with the native-born. In return we demand that he shall share our undivided allegiance to the one flag which floats over all of us."
I had to pass this on my friends -- everyone knows how I feel about illegal immigration, or immigrants who come to America under false pretenses. I echo every sentiment Teddy Roosevelt just stated. If you want to come to America, come. But if you don't want to be an American and fully embrace all that America stands for . . . go home. We don't need you here.
This is a land of promise and hope, but only for those willing to learn English, fly the American flag and fight for this great nation. It's as simple as that.
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Teddy Roosevelt's View on Immigration
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Tuesday, December 11, 2007
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Reviewed by Unknown
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Tuesday, December 11, 2007
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My great great grandparents fully adopted the American culture when they immigrated. However, now I am working to rediscover my heritage so my children can benefit from the rich cultural traditions of the "Old Country."
ReplyDeleteI can see what you are saying about this post, although I do feel that there is an appropriate level of honor for where you came from. I'm having a great time learning about my cultural heritage and starting "new" traditions in my family, that would have been old ones had my great great grandparents kept them going when they crossed the Atlantic.
I don't define myself as a "Swedish-American" but my prominent cheekbones make that declaration for me. It's good to know where you came from, its also important to know where you want to end up. There's a balance involved between what to hold on to and what to let go.
Jen - there is nothing wrong with tradition, with remembering your culture or celebrating who you are and where you came from. This is a right every single person on the earth has. Where I am coming from is simply this: Either become fully American (which does not preclude celebration of one's heritage) or don't come at all. In becoming fully American they honor and live up to every law of the land. In becoming fully American, they eschew all loyalty to the country they came from, not the culture, the country. In becoming fully American they understand the privilege, hope and life that can be found here if one is willing to work hard enough for it. In becoming fully American, the American flag is flown and honored as the symbol of our nation. That's what I mean.
ReplyDeleteAmen sister! I'm all with you 100%. The small part of Omaha where I was raised was all Polish, Bohemian, and Russian. It has totally become overrun by Mexicans and I'm betting at least 90% of them are here illegally. South Omaha, which was rich in tradition of of the Poles and Czechs is now totally Latino. Not a word of English anywhere. Not an American flag to be seen anywhere, and that's what angers me the most. Keep your family traditions - by all means. I love nothing more than to learn about my heritage and incorporate it into my holiday celebrations, etc., but this would be like me flying the Swedish flag in front of my house on the 4th of July. I'm an American of Swedish descent, not a Swede living in America.
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