Non-Americans and Americans are the only two labels for this country...

Connotations of words change with society and - likewise - society's use of words changes with the connotations.

The dash-American label's usage comes in waves just like the immigrants who use them. The current wave encompasses ethnic/racial minorities in America.

The use of the dash is a way of fighting back at a society that - the user believes - does not fully accept the dasher as a full member. Whether because of real racism or perceived racism, the dasher feels like a red-headed step-child to the nation. The inclusion of the dash - whether subconsciously or consciously - is a means of declaring one's independence and pride or self-worth.

What I believe is missed in the dasher's mindset is that society will change its view of you when you don't allow this step-child attitude to be applied to you. If someone infers you are not a full America because your ancestors did not come from a certain continent or during a certain timeframe, you fight back by declaring their inference wrong and contradictory to the laws of the land. If you were born here - regardless of how your ancestors came here or even if they came here illegally - YOU ARE AN AMERICAN.

Anyone challenging this status needs to check their OWN mindset and, while they are at it, the Constitution of the United States of America.

I believe the way to stop profiling, racism, discrimination and such, is to FIRST remove the qualified labels we adorn.

I am not African-American, African-European-American, African-European-Native-American....I am an American.

If you doubt what I am saying, check my birth certificate.

If you include the dashes in your nationality, you need to check YOUR birth certificate, also.

It is not about pride in one's ancestors...it is about pride in one's self. You are a citizen of this country - usually only this country - and you have an obligation and responsibility to contribute to the success of this country.

You can choose to enjoy the ride while you can benefit from the mood of society but you have to be prepared to lose that ride when society's mood changes. A basic tenet of this nation is that of individual's rights and responsibilities. If you fail, it is not the country that failed you, it is YOU that failed you.

All this does not justify racist behavior towards ANYONE or BY anyone.

The history of this country, with its accomplishments and failures, does not justify burdening its future by re-hashing history over and over again. The future of this country is dependent on putting to rest - sincerely and non-combatively, the truths of our country's mistakes and how some people have benefitted on the backs of others both directly and indirectly.

My words are intentionally contradictory because that is the situation we are now in. Both sides of the argument are correct...America has fought against including the minority-du-jour in its fabric AND Americans have fought TO include minorities. Minorities have fought to be included AND minorities fight to be seen as distinct threads within the fabric.

If you expect the American fabric to be admired and loved, it is ALL the threads of the fabric that make it what it is.

If you expect to be treated as a thread in the American fabric, you have to understand that the thread - by itself - is not as beautiful when it is on the spool as much as when it has been woven into the fabric.

America has checked itself by re-enforcing a clarification of the tenets of our basic documents.
All PEOPLE are created equal...anyone born here is an American...all AMERICANS are entitled to basic rights and equal protection under the law.

Americans need to check ourselves to make sure we act like what the citizens of America are SUPPOSED to act like.

If you are in a position of power and you do not see all Americans as having the same rights, YOU are the non-American.

If you are not doing your part to contribute to the success of this country, YOU are the non-American.

There are only two valid American labels...American and NON-American.