Well let me start by saying I'm the son of two immigrants of Mexico. I myself was illegal 'till the age of 15 when I became a US citizen. My mom became a citizen and sponsored my granny and my self. My father is still attempting. I'm attending the CONCACAF Gold cup final on Saturday, which for those who do not follow football (to the world) Soccer (in the US), which will feature my country of origin Mexico and The United States the country I grew up in, was raised, was taught and am happy to live in. Now recently I've been talking with my father and a few of my relatives, also some co-workers, about "MY" Mexican national anthem. When we speak about it, when I hear it, sing it or even think about it I get this overwhelming sense of pride. I'm always willing to learn about the country I didn't grow up in, wasn't raised in, wasn't taught in or don't know whats it's like to live in (totally different subject lets not touch on it in this thread). Then I listen to "OUR" American National anthem, I get the same sensation. I get this feeling of pride when I hear it, sing it or even think about it. I purposely left out the part of talking about it because I've never heard anyone talk about "OUR" national anthem. I'm very proud to call myself American and/or Mexican. I never call myself Mexican-American because I was not born here. Now my question was brought on by helping my 10 year old brother. I was helping him with a project he was working on. I asked him if he knew what the California Aqueduct was, to which he replied "no".
I was taught in this country as previously mentioned. By his age 10 (5th grade) I knew that information. In 5th grade every Friday, I turned in "current events". News articles of events that happened during the week. He does not have these types of assignments. I know most schools in LAUSD ( Los Angeles Unified school district) are becoming or are corporate, ie: better test scores bring in more revenue for better "learning" materials. But every year is only a competition to win or "earn" the revenues. So when does the actual learning occur??? When do the children learn about American history?? or when do they learn how the country, I Gilbert now reside in, that has given me the opportunity to be a citizen of, became the country it became?? How are they supposed to be proud to be Americans?? I'm proud of being Mexican but I'm also proud of being American. What happened to the healthy pride of America?? Not referring either to the people who only talk about getting rid of people of other nationalities.I know what July 4th stands for. I know what memorial day stands for. Sure to the rest of the country it's a day off, but to me I stop for a bit and think about people and families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
How do you feel about this?? I don't think people that hold office know the history of what the country really stands for either, when all they seem to do is run this once "Proud" nation to the ground. Do people really care enough about the current state of this nation?? Is there any national pride left. Are people still willing to do what it takes?? Just a thought........
I was taught in this country as previously mentioned. By his age 10 (5th grade) I knew that information. In 5th grade every Friday, I turned in "current events". News articles of events that happened during the week. He does not have these types of assignments. I know most schools in LAUSD ( Los Angeles Unified school district) are becoming or are corporate, ie: better test scores bring in more revenue for better "learning" materials. But every year is only a competition to win or "earn" the revenues. So when does the actual learning occur??? When do the children learn about American history?? or when do they learn how the country, I Gilbert now reside in, that has given me the opportunity to be a citizen of, became the country it became?? How are they supposed to be proud to be Americans?? I'm proud of being Mexican but I'm also proud of being American. What happened to the healthy pride of America?? Not referring either to the people who only talk about getting rid of people of other nationalities.I know what July 4th stands for. I know what memorial day stands for. Sure to the rest of the country it's a day off, but to me I stop for a bit and think about people and families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
How do you feel about this?? I don't think people that hold office know the history of what the country really stands for either, when all they seem to do is run this once "Proud" nation to the ground. Do people really care enough about the current state of this nation?? Is there any national pride left. Are people still willing to do what it takes?? Just a thought........
