CNN anchor Don Lemon says this July 4 we should view each other as just an American, not as Americans with a prefix. This sounds ideal to some. Not me. Im proud to be American, shown as I cheered on the soccer team with friends, visited places rich with brutal US history like Selma and Montgomery, and more. I am also proud of being a Black American. My grandparents and parents overcame so much to get us here. When someone says Kenny, I dont see you as Black, I dont take that as a compliment. I am proud to be who I am. Difference is not bad. Being Black is not bad. Being proud of ones heritage is not bad. When Ive struggled, friends Black, White, Asian, and Latino/a have helped me through. Its been true this week. We need not be the same to come together. This July 4 I want to embrace our differences, not ignore them.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 04:17:44 +0000