Xenophobia and the American Way?

[Lovelife090994]

Hello. No matter who you are you have probably at some point in your life heard of an event held in America called the Superbowl that involves one of America's most beloved sports, football. But what you may not know is of the many ads that air during that time that usually are very funny, impacting, or emotional. What does this have to do with the title? The infamous Coca-Cola Commercial for America the Beautiful sung in several languages. I'll put a link to the official video, pray it still be there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=443Vy3I0gJs

I hate how so many have the gall to suggest that the sung America The Beautiful should never be sung in another language and how in America it is learn English or else. What many Americans fail to realize is how America is a land of many people and all of many nations and were once immigrants some generations back. I don't see why so many people in America have this view of "assimilate or leave" and "speak English" mentality. Yes, I know, most in America do speak English despite that America has no national language but why the xenophobia? I have no clue why so many feel threatened by culture. I was raised to accept culture and differences, not to shun but to learn. Why are some so close-minded on this?

[Typhlosion]

Patriotism. For some, it might be offensive to sing it in any other way than intentioned. In Brazil, the National Hymn must be performed, legally, in a certain key with a whole load of technicalities. Adding external influences might be seen as an attack on America as a whole.

I have nothing against it, but I think that's why people rivaled it so much.

[Sir Suomi]

I agree with you upon the fact that America should be proud to be a nation comprised of foreign immigrants. Hell, it's the standard upon which our nation was established on. But as for the language issue, I stand firm in making English our primary language. It allows us to keep things simplistic, organized, and well understood. Yes, I understand the English language can be difficult for those who are not raised into speaking the language. But I believe if you wish to become an American citizen, you should have the ability to comprehend at least basic English. But, I suppose my opinion doesn't hold too much weight, seeing as I will never have to deal with that problem ever, as I'm clearly quite fluent in English :P

[conniption]

A while ago, a boy (he was 10, I think) sang the national anthem at a basketball game and a bunch of people were enraged because he was Hispanic and was wearing a Mexican mariachi suit. I suppose people feel that because you live in America you have to give up your own culture and assimilate yourself into America's culture or face being ostracized.

[Lovelife090994]

A while ago, a boy (he was 10, I think) sang the national anthem at a basketball game and a bunch of people were enraged because he was Hispanic and was wearing a Mexican mariachi suit. I suppose people feel that because you live in America you have to give up your own culture and assimilate yourself into America's culture or face being ostracized.

That is so terrible. American is just a nationality. Unlike other countries it is not an ethnicity. I would hate to have to give up my customs just to be considered American. Actually I wouldn't want to be American if it meant ignoring my heritage.

[trustn01]

I think that xenophobia in America is something really, really stupid, because the way I've heard, the white people came from Europe and killed off most of the native population. How would white Americans react if Native Americans would insist that ads should on be performed, or sung, in their language? So I think that all Americans should be accepting of any other nationality and culture, since they've kind of forced Native Americans to accept them.

[Korashk]

Patriotism. For some, it might be offensive to sing it in any other way than intentioned. In Brazil, the National Hymn must be performed, legally, in a certain key with a whole load of technicalities. Adding external influences might be seen as an attack on America as a whole.

I have nothing against it, but I think that's why people rivaled it so much.
America the Beautiful is just a song. I could kinda understand the outrage (not really, but let's assume I could) if they were singing the national anthem, but they weren't.
America the Beautiful is no more official a song according to the US government than any song by any current American artist.

Xenophobia in some parts of America is almost as bad as it is in Asian cultures and that's disgraceful.

[Zenos]

Hello. No matter who you are you have probably at some point in your life heard of an event held in America called the Superbowl that involves one of America's most beloved sports, football. But what you may not know is of the many ads that air during that time that usually are very funny, impacting, or emotional. What does this have to do with the title? The infamous Coca-Cola Commercial for America the Beautiful sung in several languages. I'll put a link to the official video, pray it still be there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=443Vy3I0gJs

I hate how so many have the gall to suggest that the sung America The Beautiful should never be sung in another language and how in America it is learn English or else. What many Americans fail to realize is how America is a land of many people and all of many nations and were once immigrants some generations back. I don't see why so many people in America have this view of "assimilate or leave" and "speak English" mentality. Yes, I know, most in America do speak English despite that America has no national language but why the xenophobia? I have no clue why so many feel threatened by culture. I was raised to accept culture and differences, not to shun but to learn. Why are some so close-minded on this?



People want immigrints to learn english because the founding fathers and the citizens of the original 13 states knew English and it was English speaking people that moved west,as well as bought lands from mexico,so while we do not have an offical language it is totally understandable that people want people comeing to America for citizenship to learn the language.

You also fail to understand that a COMMON language UNIFIES a nation!

So yeh English should be the official unifying language because the majority of people in the usa speak it plus the original founders spoke it.

[Lovelife090994]

People want immigrints to learn english because the founding fathers and the citizens of the original 13 states knew English and it was English speaking people that moved west,as well as bought lands from mexico,so while we do not have an offical language it is totally understandable that people want people comeing to America for citizenship to learn the language.

You also fail to understand that a COMMON language UNIFIES a nation!

So yeh English should be the official unifying language because the majority of people in the usa speak it plus the original founders spoke it.

I never said English didn't unify. I never mentioned that. I understand that, I did not fail at that. I get how common languages unify but to demean the non Common speakers is very dividing. I was mentioning why are so many so harsh to non-English speakers?

America the Beautiful is just a song. I could kinda understand the outrage (not really, but let's assume I could) if they were singing the national anthem, but they weren't.
America the Beautiful is no more official a song according to the US government than any song by any current American artist.

Xenophobia in some parts of America is almost as bad as it is in Asian cultures and that's disgraceful.

I'm guessing many Asian cultures have a bad name for xenophobia as well?

Please do not double post, next time use the "edit" or "multi-quote" function. -Cygnus David

[Zenos]

face it theres not a nation that's not Xenophobic it's just that most governments are inclusive now adays regardless of the wishes of the populace

[Harry Smith]

face it theres not a nation that's not Xenophobic it's just that most governments are inclusive now adays regardless of the wishes of the populace

Xenophobia is, fundamentally, a belief that a particular country is the best in the world because you were born in it.

[Zenos]

Xenophobia is, fundamentally, a belief that a particular country is the best in the world because you were born in it.

yup and the thing is everyone thinks everyone in America thinks America is the best,when not everyone here thinks that