Coming T o America Chapters 1, 2, and 3

The arrogant superiority and disregard for the legitimacy of the civilizations and cultures of peoples who were encountered by the European migrants to the New World was a tragic foundation for building America.  It is shocking to realize that much of that sense of inherent superiority and contempt for anyone “different” – by race, place of origin, or gender has remains a part of American culture today.

Of course, this intolerance of others is not confined to Americans. But as a country of great power and influence in the world, we should be better. Actually, they should have been better citizens of the world, too. But they weren’t. And we’re not either.  On the 10^th anniversary of 9-11, I couldn’t stop thinking of that destruction and harm being a catastrophic result the contempt and hatred for Americans by others that that horrible act represented - contempt for our perceived arrogance and superiority. I wish the world was a more peaceful place today built on respect and tolerance – do people really believe that enhanced security and increased anti-terrorist actions have done anything to impact the way people across our world feel about each other? That we are truly any “safer”?  If anything, we are more polarized and separated than ever. It can be quite discouraging to realize that while individuals may attempt to be conscious of being more respectful, tolerant and less arrogant about their own perceived superiority, nothing will ever allow for peace if the leaders of nations do not recognize the urgency of acting better – not just saying the words. By being the change you want to see. 

There was so much within these three chapters that was thought provoking – understanding the life if the immigrants, how many people were here as unfree people and the impact it had on our nation’s formation, the greed almost always exhibited by the colonizers, especially those who would benefit from significant economic gain. Always greed. Such a common theme in the conquering of all parts of the world. Almost inevitably at the expense of another people and culture. You’d think people would realize, repeating history continuously, that this breeds the ultimate contempt. Will we ever learn?