I see many bumper stickers that say "I'm proud to be American". I'd like to ask them why, but I know I'd either get a blank stare or a tirade, so I don't.
So, let's carry this a bit further; I'm thinking mostly of sports; such as the NY Yankees or the Red Sox, any team will do, why do people cheer when one team wins? Why are the others called "Losers"?? we are all Americans. Not all of the players are natives of NY or Boston, they come from all over.Why should I support the Red Sox just because they are closer than the Yankees? It's silly! I don't like either city.
If a person does some great thing, they get credit for being a great American. Why? What does that have to do with it? Carry it a bit further; he/she is also a New Yorker. Is that something to be proud of? Let's say he/she was born in the lower east side; is that something to be proud of? Maybe he/she simply had good parents who steered him/her in the right direction. Seems to me that's more to be proud of than being born in America.
We are all natives of planet earth, and no one is any better than anyone. Those imaginary lines on a map (borders) cause a lot of trouble.From the Pentagon to the gang leader in any city the attitude is the same, "Us against them" Bollox I say.