Naturalized Citizen...

[Mrs. Fish]

If at any point this is not an apporiate topic, close it as you feel....

You know, by choice I became a U.S. Citizen. I was not born here in the states but immigrated into this country when I was a toddler. I know more about this country then my birth country. Shame on me but I speak better in English then Korean. I know the U.S. History but don't know much about Korean History. I know more about the U.S. Government and Laws then of Korean. There's no doubt that the U.S. is a great land. I took an oath the I will stand up to defend the U.S. in any kind of war or terror etc., and so I befriended my country to become a part of the United States of America. So now, from the day I took that oath, I became an American by choice.

Now, what are the reasons why some people oppose me flying an American flag on my car? Why some people don't accept me as one of the them?

Sometimes it is upsetting.....then I guess I shouldn't have the right to be a Police Officer in the future??....

[Niteshift]

I have no idea why anyone would oppose it, although stupidity comes to mind.

[CinaC]

Why shouldn't you be a cop? Because you weren't born a citizen? Who gives you a hard time about the flag, other Asians who immigrated over? Perhaps they view you as abandoning your heritage, and use the flag as a catalyst of sorts?Or, as Niteshift said, they're just stupid?

[ 09-16-2002, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: Crazy in a Jeep ]

[Chopshopcop]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mrs.Fish:
If at any point this is not an apporiate topic, close it as you feel....

You know, by choice I became a U.S. Citizen. I was not born here in the states but immigrated into this country when I was a toddler. I know more about this country then my birth country. Shame on me but I speak better in English then Korean. I know the U.S. History but don't know much about Korean History. I know more about the U.S. Government and Laws then of Korean. There's no doubt that the U.S. is a great land. I took an oath the I will stand up to defend the U.S. in any kind of war or terror etc., and so I befriended my country to become a part of the United States of America. So now, from the day I took that oath, I became an American by choice.

Now, what are the reasons why some people oppose me flying an American flag on my car? Why some people don't accept me as one of the them?

Sometimes it is upsetting.....then I guess I shouldn't have the right to be a Police Officer in the future??....

---

Mrs. Fish,

This is not intended as an insult or a slam by any means so don't take it that way...but your ancestry doesn't have any bearing on the matter. Whether you're Korean-born and naturalized or American-born doesn't matter, you're a citizen, that what counts.

It also doesn't matter whether other people are opposed to your flag-flying, or whether others accept you or not. What matters is you and your family and their acceptance. Fly the flag, you've earned it.

If you're concerned about what others think of you, don't become a police officer. The pressure you'll put on yourself worrying about what others think will eat you up.

[Sparky]

I liked what the PM of Italy said the other day, that the US Flag is an international symbol of freedom and democracy.

So I don't care if someone is a US Citizen or not. Anyone can fly our flag.

The only time I would personally mind, is if they were flying the flag only to then set it on fire or desecrate it.

You see.. I can never become a Korean, or an Italian, or a Spaniard, or Russian. No matter what I did, it would never happen. Sure, I could become a citizen of their countries, but I wouldn't be one of them unless I was born there.

But ANYONE can become an American.

That's what makes us so special!

This speech sounds better if you softly hum, "My country 'Tis of Thee" while you read it.

[Mrs. Fish]

Well, it's not that I worry about what others think. If some people out there are not comfortable with the fact that a woman who does not have blue eyes and blonde hair is U.S. Citizen and calling herself an American, it is their problem and they must find a way to deal with it. I did not enter the U.S. by choice but I became a U.S. Citizen by choice. Along with that choice, if need be, I will fight for the many rights and freedom this country has for you, her, him and me as you would.

I just personally think that if this is a country of equality and freedom, I shouldn't be looked at a different way for flying the American flag, for goondess sake, feeling PATRIOTIC and SUPPORTIVE in this awful event we are going through right now.

[Jim Burnes]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mrs.Fish:
If some people out there are not comfortable with the fact that a woman who does not have blue eyes and blonde hair is U.S. Citizen and calling herself an American, it is their problem and they must find a way to deal with it. I did not enter the U.S. by choice but I became a U.S. Citizen by choice.
.

---

Mrs Fish, You've a strong heart. You are going to find many people that don't care for your race; as you say, that is their problem.

Americans are not a people of blue eyes and blond hair, BTW, they are rather dark skin, dark hair and brown, green or black eyes. The ones you describe are just recently arrived , but are trying to fit in.

My mothers generation, all those born before 1924 were made American citizens by law all in one day, without their agreement (and there were among that generation many who would never have consented). This included of course, all those WW1 vets who had fought for America, even though they were not citizens at the time.

America is your home Mrs. Fish, and you understand you have the duty to protect it, which makes you a better person than some I know who were born & raised in America yet defy anything good that America stands for.

Blond hair and blue eyes define some Americans today, but it's not inclusive. My relatives know this is our land, it's all we will ever have so we protect it. We are Americans and so we will fight to defend America.

If the situation erodes to the point that war comes to our very streets, the enemy will not seek just Blond hair and Blue eyes; All Americans of every stripe will be needed.

Those that cut and run from the enemy will not be Americans; those that hold on will.

Jim Burnes

[10-13]

ive been told that since i was chinese i should be buddist, and that because i an christian and believe in Jesus i am turnign my back on my heritage.

[Mrs. Fish]

Jim,

Very well said....and I understand what my duties are for being a U.S. Citizen and I want other people to share their duties with me because I have a set of hands to do the work as well, efficiently and productively.

Hearing stuff like, "GO HOME! BACK TO YOUR COUNTRY!" oh, come on, now....wouldn't you be upset?

Not everyone has that kind of attitude towards me but a few do, and it does upset me...being a tad bit too sensitive? I dunno, maybe, and i'm not struggling to be accepted or anything...like Chopshopcop said, what's important is how my family and I feel...which my family encouraged me to become naturalized...



Just a token of how I feel...

[Bill R]

Mrs. Fish, I don't see why it would make any difference being a naturalized citizen and becoming a cop. You can't be President though. You have every right to fly the flag on your car also. You would get a dirty look from me though if the flag is not displayed properly or is dirty or tattered. I hate it when people disrespect the flag. If you are displaying the flag properly and still getting dirty looks, are you sure it's not the way you drive?

[kateykakes]

Fishy,

I work with quite a few people that have become naturalized American citizens. Two are from India, and one from China, and one from Puerto Rico.

Karen, the Chinese woman (Nobody can pronounce her Chinese name, so everyone calls her Karen) is a gem. Anju and Rucha, the two women from India, I absolutely adore. Jessica, the women from PR is ok. I am fond of all of the ladies - well, give or take Jessica. She's a little bit too rough around the edges for me.

They are all proud to call themselves American citizens, but are also very proud of their homeland, their heritage and where they came from, as I feel they should be.

BTW, I am American by birth but look every bit as European as my grandmother from Italy did. I am not one of those blonde/blue eyed ladies. I kinda like my olive skin tone, my dark hair and my hazel/green eyes. My granny left it all for me.

No worries, Fishy. Be proud. And don't give up on being a PO, if that's something you truly want. I wish you lots of luck, chickie.

[Bill R]

I work with quite a few people that have become naturalized American citizens. Two are from India, and one from China, and one from Puerto Rico.

I thought Puerto Ricans were born US citizens?

[kateykakes]

You're probably right Bill, but that's a topic the Puertican Panorama (our nick for her) has talked about before in the break room. She'll tell you she became a naturalized American citizen some years ago.

I don't hang out with her at work, but on any given day in the break room, you'd be surprised what you hear (everything from sex with coworkers to what is going on in Iraq). I don't question her on anything, as I've said she's a bit too rough around the edges for me. I think she'd scare even you, Bill.

I'd like to add that when I say she's rough around the edges, I kid you not. I don't mean looks - I mean attitude. Ask her what her method of birth control is and she'll tell you flat out it's abortion.

[ 09-16-2002, 06:03 PM: Message edited by: kateykakes ]

[Bill R]

I don't question her on anything, as I've said she's a bit too rough around the edges for me. I think she'd scare even you, Bill.

You're probably right KK! At my work there's a woman that all the guys are scared of. When she talks about all the knife fights she was involved in during her youth it sends chills up my spine. Several of the guys that went to school with her confirm her stories also. Knife attacks scare the crap out of me. She's actually a very nice person NOW but I wouldn't want to seriously tick her off

[Watchman]

Mrs.Fish,

To paraphrase Mark Twain:

You can let someone make you feel inferior only with your consent...

Dont worry about it.
Fly the flag when you want,where you want.

All of us that were born here didnt have the choice to be a citizen. You did.

To me that says volumes. You are a citizen of the US. It doesnt get any better than this ...

[ 09-16-2002, 08:04 PM: Message edited by: Watchman ]