Proud To Be An American!

[dns70]

I submitted a thread about a month ago titled "The Middle East and Us". I asked the HushFam what they thought about the conflict and how did they view our involvement. I felt that we didn't take the Middle East conflict seriously or truly appreciate our role in it (Americans felt the same way about the Japanese and Germans prior to Pearl Harbor in WWII). Then September 11, 2001 happened. What is that old saying..."those who forget history are doomed to repeat it"...how sadly true.

We thought it couldn't happen to us. Just like we thought that a war fought two oceans away 60 years ago had nothing to do with us. Well HushFam, it ALWAYS has something to do with us!

The replies to the Mid East post were nonchalant at best. First of all, very few members responded at all. Second, the responses were "well I don't think about it that much" or "I don't really know about it". Basically, this isn't really our problem and we need to let them work it out. Well, unfortunately, I hope we now all realize that this IS OUR PROBLEM!

You see, I'm upset. No, I'm furious! I consider myself a patriot. I believe that the people who lost their lives on Tuesday are patriots. They are American heroes whose death served to stir up in us what we've seem to forgotten. To remember what it truly means to be an American.

You see, before I am an American I am a Christian, but before I am Black, I am an American! I am PROUD to be an American. I LOVE THIS COUNTRY and the freedom and democracy it provides. It is perfect? No, but tell me a place on Earth that is. Is it the best place on this planet. Absolutely! In a Middle Eastern country, a group of Christians are in prison and being tried for preaching Christianity. The sentence they face is death! These brave people could die for simply believing in something different from what the government believes. I THANK GOD THAT I DON'T LIVE IN A COUNTRY LIKE THAT!

I had a disagreement with a friend of mine. You see, she thinks that we should not go to war. She thinks that we are partly responsible for this tragedy and that we should simply let it serve as a lesson to us. Although I care for and respect this person deeply, I disagree so vehemently with her that it's best the two of us don't discuss the topic. But you know what? I would DIE for her RIGHT to disagree! Yes, her RIGHT! You see, disagreeing is a right. More than half of the world does not have the right to outwardly disagree with their government. They don't have the right to be a Christian or a Muslim or a Jew or a Hindi or a Buddhist or even an Atheist. The don't have the option to choose not to go to war if they don't want to. They can't read what they like, grow up to be what they dream or do what they want. I would rather die than live like that.

This week, I looked at people who were different than me and for the first time, I didn't see a white woman or a white man or an Asian man or a Latina woman or a Jew or an Arab. I saw Americans. The world view of us is so much larger than the myopic view we miser with amongst ourselves. These vicious fanatics didn't care if the WTC was filled with white folks or black folks or men or women or even little babies. They only saw Americans and they killed them. Well I say to them DON'T TREAD ON ME! They attacked us because we are free! They attacked us because for the most part we are Christian! They attacked us because we ally with God's original chosen people in the Jews!

My God is a "man of war". Deuteronomy tells us that "there is a time for peace and a time for war". Romans tells us that when you violate a nation or its people to beware because "the solider carries not the sword in vain". We must fight this. War is never easy, but if we don't fight this, the next story will be of an atom bomb wiping out New York instead a plane wiping out a couple of big buildings. We must go after every terrorist we know is out there, domestic and international. We must see no difference the the lunatics who perpetrate these crimes and the governments that support, encourage and provide asylum to them.

These Jihad fanatics aren't simply interested in destroying the Jews or attacking Americans. They want world domination! They believe in a worldwide Islamic order that must be brought about with the use of force against their enemies. They are determined, and they won't stop. Unless we stop them! This is what all those high school history and government courses were about people. This is what the Bible talks about. It's time to fight and be not afraid. I could write so much more, but I wouldn't be able to stop. God Bless You, God Bless Me and God Bless America!

Written by dns70...a very proud American.

[OhSoPrecious]

Dns, that was beautiful~!! ;) I can tell it was written from the heart~!!

Be blessed~!!

[dns70]

I wonder if there are other Hush members out there that feel the same way I do about this country...even with all of its wrongs and double standards. We will continue working on those.

You see, America is a unique experiment. No other country in the world has a population as diverse as ours. Other countries have shown themselves incapable of dealing with diversity. Every country I know generally has one type of people there. In Japan there is very little difference in appearance, China, India, Russia, Egypt, Iraq, France, Italy, Peru, it's pretty much the same.

Diversity and intolerance has destroyed empires and led to genocide throughout history. Yet we, with all of our differences in skin color, religion, ethnicity, values, ethics, languages, manage to co-exist peacefully. Perfectly, no, just relatively peacefully. I am a part of this American Experiment and I'm just not ready to give up on it yet.

[HulaSista]

dns.........i feel EXACTLY the same way you do.

and i always have thought along the same lines as you have just posted regarding being an american...

now i could run away with this and go biblical on ya, but, i don't think any one wants to hear me go off today....

:hammer

[HulaSista]

don't start que......

you know EXACTLY what i am talkin about.

but

since you wanna get particular...let me edit my damn post...:D

[mack_black]

I wonder DNS if you were ever racially profiled and subject to some serious police shit for no reason of your own...in your own community with police that don't even live in your community...you just fit the description.....chances are that you haven't, based on your post and thats why you're so proud to be american...and you have your right to be that way...I dont wanna steal your thunder...

But I must inform you that if you were to travel abroad..you would understand that bigotry and racism exist here in Grand Fashion...you may simply be so desensitized that you dont even see it anymore or maybe you just sit home so much that you don't experience the real world...

Let some of these crackers be really afraid of you and lets see how proud to be a patriot would you be....as a matter of fact, since you're a patriot why not volunteer for this new war we're in.....isn't that what patriots do?

One final point....when you say you dont see color...that says to me that you're an assimilationist...one who identifies with the ideals and destinies of the keeblers...one who believes that if you forget your color, and your African identity you'll be accepted as an equal...good luck...I think it will be a cold day in hell before they look at the black man as one of their equals... they will always see you as BLACK and thus INFERIOR to them.... ( please realize that im not trying to smack you around..I just wanna open your eyes :D )

holla

[djackso]

This is where I live but many times I wanted to kill my landlord just like most of the world. Just over 25 years ago we would have not been allowed in the WTC or the Pentagon. I gotta protect where I live but i'm not with all this flag raising shit cause something i feel there is a war against me.

[dns70]

I have been racially profiled against. I've been harassed, even put in jail overnight. Ok, so this country deserves to be ripped apart and burn in hell because racism exists in this country? By reading the last line of your post, I hope you're just trying to make a point and truly not this extreme in your thinking.

Mack, of course I know racism exists in this country in GRAND FASHION. My father was arrested, arraigned and almost tried for the murder of a white woman thirty five years ago. It's hard for him to even talk about it. He's never discussed it with me. His best friend told me.

I know racism Mack. I know all about it. I know it just like you know it. I've felt it just like you. I've lost a job because of it just like you. I've been a victim of it just like you. As I said in my post, I don't claim that this country is perfect. But I defy you to name a major country where the population is a diverse as this country's and yet it operates without civil wars, or political unrest.

Assimilationist? Why? Because I said that for the first time in my life, after last week's events, I didn't look at people as if they were black and white and I didn't feel that feel same tension from them? The last couple of weeks, we've been Americans and nothing less. It shows me that a greater society is present within us somewhere.

And why don't I volunteer? I'm not volunteering because at this point and time it's not required of me. But, if it was necessary, if our way of life was being threatened in such a way that my military services were required, then yes I would. They would not have to draft me.

I think you may have thought that I was saying that racism isn't real and that I've never seen color. No, that's not it at all.

I'm sorry you don't feel the same way. But that's what being American and freedom of speech means isn't it?

[RaiOfSunshine]

DNS, I just want to say that it was beautiful and profound what you wrote. It was refreshing, given the situation we're in right now.

[OhSoPrecious]

I wonder why Que deleted his post~???

[sistuhchey]

Well DNS, from pass post that I remember...you're outlook on AMERICA does not surprise me....you and Tiger Wood Wood share that AMERICAN dream....I ain't mad at cha!!! but I must say it's quite interesting when a black person..(aka) AFRICAN-AMERICAN..classifies him or herself as a AMERICAN 1st and a AFRICAN 2nd....no other race of people does this better than us...SAD,SAD....(shaking my head)....I know your spirtual knowledge is vast...so I don't have to tell you this is a HOLY WAR....so when picking sides...I personally choose the man upstairs.....

Knowing the HISTORY of this country and how AMERICA came to be, I guess it's ok to stand tall and proud about it..cause' when it comes to stealing, enslaving, ruling, mastermind, trickery, greed and down right murder...I guess that's the winning side to be on... I just hope for your sake...America continues in this fashion, cause if they asses loose....and America has to be rebuilt.......Can we say
CHICKEN GEORGE!!!... :( :eek:

[dns70]

Yes, I am an American first. I was born here. My great, great, great, great grandparents built this country with their blood and sweat and lashes and broken bodies. No, I am not an African. And let me tell you this much Sistuhchey, an African will be the FIRST to tell you the same.

In all due respect, the "problem" that we as Black people have Chey is not what you stated in your reply to me. It's actually in your statement. Why do we think that being American is synonymous with being white? Why do we think that we have to be given permission by "them" to be American?

I'm American because I am. If we continue to think that "they" have to do something or change something before we can call ourselves American, then we'll never get there.

[mack_black]

we're gonna have to agree to disagree....

I really dont see your point..sorry

[sistuhchey]

Japenese - American
Mexican - American
Hispanic- American
Irish - American
Chinese - American / Asian American

etc, etc, etc.....

oopssss....who did I miss....

Oh yea!!! AFRICAN - AMERICAN (excluding DNS):hammer :hammer

[dns70]

Now, was that really necessary?

[sistuhchey]

I apologize....But dang!!! DNS....how did you grow up to be so damn proud of the red white n blue???...But yet denounce your African Roots???...I don't get it???..:rolleyes: :rolleyes: ..maybe it's not for me to get....:confused: :confused:

Peace my brotha!!!:)

[dns70]

I am not denoucing my African ancestry. I love my ancestry and I'm quite proud of that ancestry. I know a lot about African history and the contributions and advancements that our heritage provided.

But, I am not an African. I can't vote on African issues, I have no rights of African citizenship. But a white person born in South Africa or Lesotho or Liberia IS an African. With his lily white skin and blond hair and blue eyes, he is an African. I know African people who laugh at us and our claim to be Africans. I know African women who won't consider me as a mate because I'm not African to them. A lot of us claim that ancestry but can't name 10 african countries, 5 African political leaders or tell you anything about Hannibal or Shaka.

I am proud of this country because my father and mother, who endured the racism in this country overcame it and still managed to raise two well adjusted sons. They had opportunities that they wouldn't have had elsewhere. But I am entitled to call myself an American. I was born here, my ancestors built this country with their bare hands. Is it perfect, no. But we have a common enemy now. After we rid ourselves of that threat, we can continue to fix the problems we have domestically.

I don't need the approval of anyone to call myself American. It's my birthright. And if it's not given freely then I'll take it. I just think that a lot of black people feel that until things are just right or perfect that they can't be Americans. That's what I disagree with. Does that make sense?

[sistuhchey]

I respect your views and rights...Yes I'm aware of the Africana (Lily White ) Africans of South Africa....And I know who Hanibal & Shaka both are...and I can name 5 countries...hmmmmm you stumped me on 5 political leaders..maybe 3....anywayssssssssss!!!

So the WHITES don't want us...and neither do the AFRICANS...what a mess..hhhmmpphhhh.....well I guess I'll just have to be CHEY!!!!....;) ;)

[FAMU]

I can't understand why some African-American people are acting towards the United States? We act like we are not members of this country or that we don't enjoy some of the freedom or opportunity that is only available in this country. I feel that this is a piss poor time to try to attempt to rejuvenate the civil rights movement by taking a social injustice stance when our country is at war and our freedom is being compromised. The truth of the matter is that if we don't stand up and fight for the freedom of this country there might not even be a reason for is to continue our plight for social equlity. African-Americans should also keep in mind that we have thousands of soliders in all four branches of the military that believe very strongly in what President Bush is trying to do and they really want to defend this country. These African-American brothers and sisters need our support while they are out there in the field actually doing battle. They don't need us back at home giving lip service screaming about soical injustices and the white man this and the white man that. Not while they are out their in the field dodging bullets, missiles, and bombs. It is simply not the time for it. If you can't stand behind the war effort for yourself, if you can't do it for this Country, if you can't do it for your own freedom, or if you can't do it for your ancestors who with blood, sweat, and tears help build this country, so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we have today then do it for your fellow African-Americans who have choosen to go out and make this country safer for your children and the future generations to come. Can we once unite as a unified community and stand side by side with our white, brown, etc. fellow citizens and show our support for the Armed forces.

[Babygirl]

Mr Famu....
Nicely put! I agree with you statement wholeheartedly!

[que90nek]

what he said!

[ThickBodyHottie]

Originally posted by dns70+
I am not denoucing my African ancestry...But, I am not an African.

um, dearie, this doesn't make sense..

anyhoo...i can see NEGOTIATING, but i can't see DYING for some half-assed bread crumbs...as hard as we bust our asses in america being black, we ain't really got shit to show for it...

i suggest the president shut the fuck up and let farrakhan go talk to the afgans...

oh, and about that mid-east ordeal, i still don't feel you, dns, have a firm grip on the issues...and your friend is correct, america has played a role in our attack, for if they had not, why bomb HERE first if one is seeking GLOBAL domination? why not jerusalem?

[sistuhchey]

I just keep thinking about during and the aftermath of the Vietnam War, and how much was compromised...or the bombing of Pearl Harbor.....

It amazes me how we fight, scream and shout about freedom and support and the Good Ole' USA...when this is all over and done with , there will be another group of people, that will reap the benefits of USA.....


Afhgns, will be our neighbors soon, they'll be allowed in the USA, they'll open up businesses, their children will become educated in the USA, get jobs that our kids can't...and the black man will still be considered a endangered species or extinct, and complaining about racial profiling....(If they didn't loose their life fighting in a War in the Middle-East that doesn't have JACK to do with them)


......By the the way where is Blk Sinbad???

[dns70]

They bomb us first because they see as the lifeblood to Israel. The see us as the reason that they are in such a bad economic state.

And TBH, as far as the Jihad's plans of a worldwide Islamic order, read the Futwah. It's all right there.

[CD]

Originally posted by Mr. Famu+
then do it for your fellow African-Americans who have choosen to go out and make this country safer for your children and the future generations to come.

Good lawd Mr. FAMU

You make me want to go out and get my RED, BLACK and GREEN flag and start waving.......:D

Come on Mr. Famu, I know like most other folks that a large majority(NOT ALL MIND YOU) of the brothers and sistahs that join the military would not have joined if they could have got a better paying JOB.....:rolleyes:

[dns70]

LOL @ CD!

"A better paying job" :D

Brotha you know you wrong for that one!

[Babygirl]

Originally posted by CD+



Come on Mr. Famu, I know like most other folks that a large majority(NOT ALL MIND YOU) of the brothers and sistahs that join the military would not have joined if they could have got a better paying JOB.....:rolleyes:

Now ain't that some shit???

:rolleyes: :confused: CD, you don't really believe that do you?? Think about the fact that MOST people join the military right after high school right? How many folks you know got a bomb-ass job after highschool other than Kobe Bryant??? I am not saying that there is not one person in the military doesn't have that reasoning but to even fathom a large majority of them???:confused: What about Officers??? After Officers Canidate school..they make a nice amount of $. But again I could just be biased about military folks:blah: ?!

[que90nek]

i was paid nicely while in.
but better than that...they trained me on what i do today...they paid for all of my education...they porvided me experiences overseas that most just dream about...and to me it was all good.