"I am an American" Television advertisements -- Vanity

[Partisan Hack]

I'm sure many of you have seen the advertisements featuring many people of different ethnicities who proclaim "I am an American."

While I appreciate the purpose and intent of these advertisements, I do not appreciate the intonation of those giving the message. "I am an American" comes out sounding like a confession, not a proclamation. It's stated with the the same affect and confidence as a quivering alcoholic confessing his addiction to an AA group.

Have you seen this ad? What's your take on it?

[Irish Eyes]

Very well said aristoteman. The "I am an American" advertisement is great, simple and to the point. The differences in America are what makes it a great county and... I am proud to be an American.

[WVNan]

I missed the credits and did not know who was sponsoring the ad. I'm not comfortable with who is behind it, but I think maybe they have created something that will backfire on their intent. People are feeling very patriotic and will see the ads in that light. I seem to remember the blurb about hate. Of course we all know that hate generates hate, but justice is not hate. I pray that I'm right about the way the ad will be perceived. Wouldn't that be poetic justice on the NOW gang?

[Skywalk]

Oh, the campus nuts wanted the administration to make more efforts to retain minority(Read:people of color who ARENT Asian) students. It was kind of a vague demand, considering they already practiced affirmative action and had remedial and tutorial programs in place.

I pointed out all the fallacies in her argument, forcefully, but in a civil manner. God help me, If i Were to see someone just yelling anti-Americanisms at this point. I might have to punch them:)

[F16Fighter]

It is condescending tripe that divides people more by pointing out ethnic differences...

Bingo.

And as some posters have pointed out, if the ad was more balanced it might have made sense. Instead it's divisive.

[GeorgiaSuzy]

LMAO! I'm picturing it ... which one would say it?

[operation clinton cleanup]

Diversity makes us great! Who cares if we dont trust each other!

[Skywalk]

Re: Spaghetti-eating Italian "Now dat'sa spicy meatballa! I'm an Americano!"

[operation clinton cleanup]

Thats Phat! I mean Dope! I mean Stupid! what did I mean?

[F16Fighter]

Hmmm, selective over-the-top retention of a certain targeted minority despite an intact program already practicing affirmative action? But to what end? And standards be damned and further reduced? How did she react to your lucid argument? I assume any sense went screaming over her head.

[operation clinton cleanup]

Wasnt there a company called Franco-American that made canned pasta products? I grew up on them! (before the microwave).

[Skywalk]

Here's a better ad:

When it comes crshing down and it hurts inside

You gotta take a stand, it don't help to hide.

If you hurt my friends, then you hurt my pride

I gotta be a man, I can't let it slide.

I am a REAL AMERICAN, FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF EVERY MAN!

I am a REAL AMERICAN, FIGHT FOR WHAT'S RIGHT, FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE!

I feel strong about right and wrong

and i Dont take trouble for very long

I got something deep inside of me

Courage is the thing that keeps us free

I AM A REAL AMERICAN, FIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF EVERY MAN!

I AM A REAL AMERICAN, FIGHT FOR WHAT's RIGHT, FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE!!

[F16Fighter]

Ayeee, ohhh -- butta-bing, butta-boom -- you talkin' to me?? Don' lemme talk ta Uncle Rocco about choo!

[Lancey Howard]

Funny how the ads show everybody except the descendants of white Europeans like those who invented and founded "America". The ads are condescending and apparently meant to remedially educate really stupid, naturally bigoted whites. The ad campaign was obviously produced by scumbag liberals who are smarter than everybody else and only have good intentions.
"Celebrate diversity", LOL !!!

[F16Fighter]

Gotta go in guys -- it was fun..

[skr]

My Italian grandfather came here from the Old Country. He told his children that those who come to America MUST speak English in order to work, and work was of primary concern (especially for a widower with 7 kids during the Depression). No one in this family hyphenates our nationality.

[Lancey Howard]

Wasnt there a company called Franco-American that made canned pasta products? I grew up on them! (before the microwave).

Sure. Spaghetti-Os are a staple in my house. We eat them day and night, 24 / 7. Can't go five minutes without them.

[Skywalk]

Same platitudes, same inference that minority dropouts were due to institutional racism or hostile atmosphere, rather than the cultural wide phenomenon(heck, I'm one of em! I'm finishing in the next year up here in Seattle, though.)

Even black students AT black colleges don't graduate in the 4-5 year period on par with white students. Black students from upper class backgrounds and good high schools show no difference in their numbers.

Basically, it was one of those nonstop arguments. She was being way too nice, considering her reputation(deserved.) I had to get somewhere so I ended the debate nicely. She really didn't have much in the way of a precise plan, nor could she respond to my comparison of Caribbean immigrants vs American blacks, or the fact that ratcheting up this "retention" effort was paternalistic and was bound to bring further ridicule upon some very bright and worthy black students.

[bluefish]

I....am....(gulp, swallow)....an.....Amer...ican..(whew, I got it out!)....(smile. relief) That's patriotic? I keep feeling that replacing the word American with something such as Pedophile would better match their tone of confession.

I have to agree, although part of this impression is acheived by the "artist" who spiced the ad. Adding the skips in an effort to achieve a different tempo or something - so much of it comes off as highly unnatural.

My least favorite: The young, thin dark-haired guy (Mexican or Arab descent??) - talk about no conviction! The guy scowls and practically roles his eyes as he coughs up the words "an American." Made a mockery of the whole ad it seems. Who the heck chose to leave that unbelievable tripe in there and what was their interpretation of his attitude?

There is one guy (only one), who seems incredibly proud of being an American. Ironically, he has one of the few accents too, and it is heavy. Older guy. Chest out, proud like a legal immigrant who went through the proper channels, learned the pledge, took his test, the oath, etc. and is now one of the true proud American immigrants. I actually love the immigrants who go about becoming a citizen the old fashioned way - it's the illegals and free ride types that really bug me.

[Skywalk]

Some of the greatest and kindest American citizens are the Sikhs, who've unfortunately suffered at the hands of a few ignoramuses. At a gathering in Seattle, they had a bunch of Sikhs looking very scared until people came up to them and hugged them.

For those who are proud Americans, even if they wish to retain part of their culture, I am glad. It's the ungrateful ones seeking ONLY financial gain, and the native-born scumbags that make me want to open fire.