Culture Club.

A friend and I were chatting online the other night—mostly trading excitement over my trip to Dubai. He is from Gaza, Palestine and, as part of an internship, taught one of my Arabic language classes. During our exchange, he told me, "If I was not born Arabic, I would want to be Arabic." And I thought...Oh! That’s interesting...

I’ve often felt thankful that I was born in a first-world country that’s not war torn, to parents who wanted me and were well prepared to care for me. As compared to a host of unthinkable alternatives. But I don’t know that I’ve ever felt particularly attached to being American. I certainly don’t feel superior to other nationalities.

So I asked another friend, who immigrated here about 10 years ago, “If you weren’t born Bosnian, would you want to be Bosnian?”

This turned into a provocative, albeit somewhat circular discussion that resulted in her answering, “Yes.”

What we concluded is that the answer can't be qualified by circumstances or conditions. And it also shouldn't be dismissed because of how nonsensical the question is. (Because if you weren't born what you are, how would you know what the other is? Suspend, please.)

I believe, as do the others I've spoken with about this, that this feeling, this solidarity that exists among other nationalities comes from a more evident, recognizable culture and commonality of values. In short, they are more...homogeneous?

So I am an American, but I am not proud or un-proud to be. I just am. I don't identify with my neighbors on the subjects of religion, or politics, or social issues, or traditions—and I know they don't with me, or necessarily with their neighbors either. We are connected only by where we live, it seems.

I am curious... does anyone beg to differ?

Oh, but I am proud that I can still rock an American flag halter top on the 4th of July!