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'American': Pen Your Own Definition

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By DIVYA KUMAR

Special to the Tribune

Published: July 23, 2008

I would like to thank Barack Obama and John McCain (despite the fact that my gratitude towards one will only extend the length of this column) for explaining to me what "American" means.

My idea of "American" had always been a quixotic pursuit of textbook ideals - liberty, equality, justice. The "promised land" truly seemed to be the epitome of perfection, where every dream would flourish.

From the dreams of people who walked across the Bering Strait, to the dreams of people who sailed across the Atlantic, to the dreams of people who fly, run, jump, cruise and (soon will) teleport themselves here, America's fertile ground welcomed all to plant their roots into her vivid gardens of hopes and dreams.

But in recent years, my definition of "American" has grown more and more befuddled. My utopia was foddered by fear and polarization.

Was it the love of the land you tread upon, or fear of all else? Which was more American, expounding on America's superiority and prowess in the world or flexing the ability to express shame and hate for her?

As a second-generation immigrant, I have always been acutely aware of how American I was. In my books, though I proudly toted my Indian heritage on my back, I considered myself as American as a half-caff-soy-milk-with-Splenda-please-frappa-latte. I wondered where the cultural see-saw I perpetually tottered on would land.

While I certainly did not love the changing policies of the country, they were the only ones I was ever old enough to live through. So I was unsure if I had the authority to hate them. The backbone of the nation that history provided grew fuzzier and fuzzier.

Yet, on the Fourth of July, as I looked into my refrigerator stocked with soy burger patties and corn cobs soon to be roasted with chili, cumin and coriander, I felt more American than I ever have.

Despite the many grunts and groans that this political season has incurred, complete with smears, mudslinging and epithets hurled back and forth, I believe I have truly understood what it means to be "American."

With candidates declaring their undying passion for their nation and flinging ideals in the public eye, along with issues that are just evolving, they have proven that the definition of "American" encompasses us all. It includes the proud war veteran who defends the American creed, to the xenophobic activists who flex their American liberties, to the war-protesting activist and the confused teenager, such as me, waiting to carve their name into America.

We have seen that America embraces all ideas - the old, the new and those yet to come. I think "American" means to write your own definitions.

Divya Kumar, a Tampa resident, is a student at King High School.

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