JUSTICE 101

The Shadow · Tue Jul 31, 2007 3:48 pm Multiculturalism: a boon or a burden?

tooling around the Internet I have come across many articles both pro and con on this subject. It transcends partisanism and I found that most negative opinions came from Americans and Australians. I wonder what our esteemed board members think about the subject.

Do you agree or disagree with immigrants celebrating their national and religious holidays and flying the flags of their nations in the US? In Chicago we have big celebrations on Polish Constitution day, celebration of Greek independence, Cinco de Mayo and Italian patron Saint's day as well as Chinese New Years and Saint Patrick's day.

What are your opinions and why?

PS I also realize that Stefan who lives in a more homogeneous society that we do will have his own take on this and it may be a bit different.

Stefan · Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:48 pm

We don't have much celebration of other countries' holidays in Sweden, but that's because we're not really a nation made up of immigrants. So Shadow is right. Iraqi Swedes and others putting up their flags on the balcony is not something that bothers me.

homerskid · Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:59 pm

I have absolutely no problem with immigrants here legally,or natural born citizens celebrating there ethnicity.

I do not have a problem with them displaying the flag of their former country,as long as it is flown lower than the American flag,if both are displayed.

Being in the military,you know that no other flag is to be flown above ours.

When arrogant illegals fly other flags while demanding rights and benefits they are not entitled to,or fly their flag above ours,or ours upside down...that makes me mad.

But being proud of where you or your relatives came from,is fine as long as you remember that once you swear allegiance to the U.S.A.,you give up your allegiance to any other country.

The Shadow · Wed Aug 01, 2007 12:36 am

I agree with everything you say Homer. After all this is an immigrant nation..as are all the American nations today. People should have the right to display their heritage.

Your last point is one that is held by every nation on earth and for the most part is followed but even so I do not believe in prohibiting dual citizenship. This is up to the individual. But they must not do anything that is against the interests of the host nation. Most don't and often choose one or the other. when push comes to shove. This depends on which of the two nationalities offers you more. I know many women in Spain and Holland who as Americans keep their US passports but at the same time become Dutch or Spanish (or anything else) through marriage. I do not believe they should be forced to give up one nationality or the other on a political whim.