We are Americans, no modifier needed

Andrew Zanartu, Henderson

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 | 2 a.m.

Regarding state Sen. Ruben Kihuen’s guest column Saturday on redistricting, “Political lines need to respect our diversity”:

As a U.S. citizen who has gone through the path of legal immigration, I can truly say that most, if not all, of the media do not get it. In every nation, and in every period of time, one thing is consistent: It’s OK to immigrate as long as you assimilate.

There should be no Latino vote, or African-American vote, or any such thing. All immigrants need to assimilate and refer to themselves as Americans. We should enforce the use of English, and help those who don’t use it to learn it and become proficient in our language. As immigrants, our responsibility is to become good citizens and patriots. Otherwise, why did you move here?

Once we can get everyone thinking along those lines, we can begin to stop politicians’ abuses and lies. If we all think of ourselves as Americans, then we don’t need special candidates to look after ethnic segments of our society. This only feeds division in the communities. We should also pass a bill outlawing lobbying in the current form to stop the irresponsible passing of bills to pay back empty promises.

I would love to see the media ask all immigrants to shed their ethnic backgrounds and start referring to themselves as Americans, period.