I’ve been seeing a nationalistic movement with “Made in America” “Buy American” “Proud to be an American” signs all over the place. Many of these same people who display these signs are against immigration, which is a different matter.
Lets look at the meaning of the term American.
At the time of this writing, America is made up of 37 countries. One of which is the United States.
If it is made in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, etc., it is made in America. If you are Canadian, Brazilian, Chilean, etc., you are an American. Most people from other countries hate being called an American by the way. This is because the United States has given that term a bad meaning.
The United States is made up of 50 States and 16 territories. There is no term for a person who is a citizen of the United States other than “United States Citizen.” The citizens of the United States are compromised of people from all the States and Territories, such as Washingtonians, Hawaiians, New Yorkers, Puerto Ricans, etc.
Next time you say “American”, think about what you are really referring to.
I’m off now to enjoy my American lunch of Tacos and Cervesa.
“Your pizza is Italian. Your kebab is Turkish. Your democracy is Greek. Your coffee is Brazilian. Your movies are American. Your tea is Sri Lankan. Your shirt is Indian. Your oil is Saudi Arabian. Your electronics are Japanese. Your pasta is Chinese. Your numbers Arabic, your letters Latin. And you complain that your neighbor is an immigrant? Pull yourself together, sheesh!!!!!”
–Anonymous