A Few Thoughts from an Unhyphenated American

It’s safe to say that no other punctuation mark in the history of mankind has created as much controversy, misunderstanding, distrust and anger as the hyphen. It’s definition is even oxymoronic: To hyphenate is to “divide” or “connect.”

Hyphens are used in “compound modifiers,” meaning that two or more words are joined together to modify the meaning of another word. By this definition, the hyphen can add “not quite” to the original word, such as “semi-hard” or semi-pro.”

Hyphens are also used to give the component words a combined meaning, such as “mother-in-law” or “water-bottle.”

This brings us to the crux of the matter: Which definition(s) of “hyphen” are we using in the case of hyphenated Americans? Is Asian-American hyphenated to demonstrate a division from America, or a connection to it? Do Cuban-Americans utilize the hyphen to let us know that they’re “not quite” Americans? Do African-Americans want to remind us that, while being American, they have a greater sense of pride in the “African” part?

“Hyphenated Identity” implies duality, evoking questions and debate as to which side of the hyphen a person or group belongs. Does the loyalty of Mexican-Americans lie first with Mexico or with America? Are German-Americans more German, or more American?

During the height of immigration at the beginning of the last century, such questions of identity loomed large in the minds of Europeans coming to America. While immigrants by the tens of thousands came through Ellis Island searching for the promise of a new land, they brought with them a collective sense of pride in their various heritages; they labeled themselves –and were labeled by others – as Irish Americans, German Americans, Italian Americans, and so forth. The hyphen was a metaphorical security blanket, clung to by each ethnicity to remain connected to familiarity in an unfamiliar new world.

Hyphenated identity began to lose importance as the promise of America became reality; ethnicities began to coalesce, and a new sense of American identity took root as successive generations realized their dreams through determination, perseverance, and pride of accomplishment. While forever proud of their respective heritages, European-Americans became simply Americans. One word. No hyphens. A sense of pride in their country.

With the passage of time, successive generations, and a steady influx of illegal aliens, the hyphen has returned with a vengeance. Many immigrants – and natural born Americans as well - choose to emphasize their ancestry and dual identity. The ideal of the Great American Melting Pot has given way to a mentality of multiculturalism. Various groups are committed to a sort of ethnic, ancestral “revival” which embraces and emphasizes their differences from –rather than their similarities to –the rest of society.

Many on the left accuse those who question hyphenated identity of bigotry, ignorance, irrational fear, or all of the above. I can neither speak for those who question the practice, nor those who embrace it, but I do know that political correctness has reached an unprecedented level of super hypersensitivity in this country with no signs of abatement: It is out of control; it is ridiculous, and it makes those who embrace it look like fools.

We’ve reached the point where a ten-year-old boy is accused of racism for calling a white classmate “chocolate brownie.” (never mind that the “offended” boy’s last name was BROWN.) Bill Clinton (previously referred to as America’s “first black president”) was accused of racist tactics during the 2008 election. And of course, any attack on Barrack Obama’s policies runs the risk of being labeled as racist.

The ease with which the “R” word is carelessly tossed around these days diminishes not only its very meaning, but true acts of racism as well. Al Sharpton feigning indignation at the latest “act of racism” is now pathetic; it just doesn’t get it anymore Rev, give it a rest.

Ironically, unjust charges of racism and bigotry often increase resentment in the minds of those who are wrongly charged. As the population of Hispanics, Latinos and Mexicans continues to increase in California, so do charges of discrimination, racism and hate crimes according to Civil Rights attorney R. Sebastian Gibson. The debate over illegal immigration rages on as nearly 20 other states consider new immigration laws similar to those enacted in Arizona last year.

This nation is arguably more polarized than at any time since the Civil War. At a time when American Exceptionalism is under attack from within and the world at large must defeat the menace of Islamic Extremism, a divided America is becoming an impotent America.

Consider Libya: Our president’s half-assed involvement with NATO has left those we sought to help disillusioned, and those who wish us harm encouraged. Neither of these perceptions is good for Americans. Hyphenated Americans included.

An inferiority complex is such a hard thing to live with.

I could have been big-head-fred.

Now look at me. All back of the bus...

An exceptional post.

I am an American. Period. When will people learn that the left in this country is composed of manipulative people who stoke these fires for personal gain and power.

They claim that they are being respectful when they do so; what I see is a group of people who do not have empathy for any person but themselves.

Hyphenation is a self imposed segregationist gesture. Something to think about.

I always say “It’s not a hyphen, it’s a minus sign”

You make an excellent point with few words.

Thanks for the ping to this interesting post and excellent comments preceding this one.

You may not be big-head-fred, but your our bigheadfred, Freddie!

I tried the hyphenated thing once.

But it was so exhausting saying, writing, or typing Irish-Scottish-British-German-French-Swedish-African-Native American-American I decided it was easier to just go with American. Hate me if you must. I’ll try to learn to deal with it.

*giggle* Native American-American. *giggle*

I still hate you for making me spit my scotch all over my keyboard. J/K — I already drank it.

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