We’re Gonna Keep it Hyphenated

We have become a divided nation. 

Today is July 3^rd 2013. Maybe it’s the jinx of unlucky numbers bringing me down, but as I watch TV, read blogs or listen to people talk on the street, I struggle to be excited about this pending celebration of American Independence.

I see the George Zimmerman trial junkies arguing about words like “punks” vs. “creepy-ass crackers” as if we should be appalled by one and snicker at the other.  I see Don Lemon of CNN fame walking the streets with papers in his hands. On one is printed the word “Nigger” on another “Cracker”.  “Which is worse?  Which is more offensive,” he asks unsuspecting passers-by.

Does it matter which is worse?  What’s in a word like “Cracker” or “Creep”?  Is it the inherent value of what society deems most heinous or might intent be paramount? I suggest the latter.

We Americans are divided and it’s evident in our language as we prepare to celebrate our sovereignty.  We use words to describe “us” and “them”.  We use hyphens to separate ourselves into claims of higher ground, lower sympathy or just plain prejudice.

It’s not enough to be American.  Just plain ole American means white and over-privileged these days.  Americans have no plight, need no sympathy and empathy cannot be fathomed.  Nope.  It’s the hyphenated Americans who need all that.  The African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Immigrant-Americans, Disabled-Americans, Under-Privileged Americans, Homosexual-Americans, Creepy-Ass-Americans … This list cannot be complete no matter how hard I try so now I pause.

When will we Americans stop using hyphens as excuses for entitled respect?  Hyphens do not represent entitlement to respect, we have to earn that as individuals.  But on this, the eve of American Independence Day, can we agree that other Americans are not "they" or "them"?  They are "us". They are "we".

Let's drop the hyphens.  What d'ya say? 

Come Out and Play