The SF Chronicle published a large number of letters to the editor today, around the theme of Independence Day. Some were good, others made me wonder what country they were writing about. Here is a sample of the latter:
Brian Kling, Oakland:
Editor -- I have many conflicting emotions about being an American. Since Sept. 11, I have felt it difficult to see the preponderance of American flags, and I realize it is because for me the flag represents the American government, not the people, history or spirit of America. Why? The flag is typically most evident in civic, federal or military venues....Lou Rigali, Oakland:
Being an American meant being free to have any thought and being able to express those thoughts without fear of reprisal. This was the most important aspect of being an American...Bill Conduit, Oakland:
Now, while I still allow myself to have any thought and express those thoughts, I have reservations because of the consequences. It is not just other citizens who will be spiteful and vindictive against someone who ventures a different opinion, but the government itself supports censorship and restrictions of freedom.
Get real. One planet. We breathe and we die and are forgotten. The idea is a bit childish in that it says that because some past boundaries were set it's supposed to make me different from others across that "imaginary line."And the winner is:
A politician feigns to "be an American" while he or she is out for himself or herself and then lies about "just being a good American." Being an American is being Pavloved in the Skinner box of societal "shoulds" that don't work...
AMERICA FORGETS THE DREAMWell, Ayodele, I have no idea what you're talking about, but you seem to feel that your country has somehow let you down. From my perspective, the most obvious way in which this country has failed you was that you apparently managed to get through high school without learning how to write a coherent sentence. Hopefully, initiatives such as school vouchers may help open our failing public schools to constructive competition, so that future generations of children will have access to better instruction than you apparently had.
Editor -- As a child, I learned to dream America. As a youth, I continued to long for the dream to be manifest. In this millennium, I see America forgetting the dream it taught me. I see a nightmare unfolding in a religion of global capitalism clothed in a tattered desire for democracy sold to deaf and dumb people.AYODELE NZINGA
Berkeley
You mean the Chronicle actually published those letters? Whatever happened to real patriotism and love of country. Seems these people are mad because something is amiss in their personal lives. They are feeling like the country let them down, but I think the problem is just the opposite. They've let their country down.
Posted by: kathy on July 5, 2002 10:01 PMDon't like my writing, too bad, sounds like your soul is too small to entertain real thought anyway. Don't like my thoughts, that’s your business. As an American, I still have a right to have them. Last time I checked with home security, I was not required to run my thoughts by you. As a critic you don't worry me much, nobody is reading you. Thanks for the clip, too bad no one will see it here. As for 'patriots’, the word doesn't mean zealot, perhaps your superior education neglected your vocabulary along with the humanities. I think my country is in trouble, as is the world at this juncture in time. One of the greatest problems is good people who know something is wrong yet allow themselves to be censored by a vocal minority. All evil needs to prosper is for good people to do nothing. I am not happy being cast as an innocent by-stander. I feel responsible for acts committed in my name that appall me. I am aware enough to realize the bad feeling internationally for my country could cost me. I have no sons to give to the cause of greed and global domination. I do not want a school voucher I want schools that work. I want a country with people that work. I want people fed and housed. I want America to work. Therefore, I pray the people find their voice. I will continue to use mine. Best wishes to you and yours may you get the America you deserve. By the way I don’t think much of your style either.
Ayodele WordSlanger Nzinga, MA, MFA