Hyphenated Americans

Some people choose to hyphenate their ethnicity to maintain a connection with their cultural roots. They feel it helps prevent them from separating from a part of themselves that makes them unique and individual. However, many others with whom I’ve had conversation with would rather be categorized by their accomplishments and beliefs as opposed to categorization based on geographical area.

In my opinion, hyphenation should be individual choice as opposed to forced government classification for the purpose of maintaining political control over the subgroups within the one, diversified U.S. nation.

Personally I believe we have the ability to live our culture, be individuals, express, etc. without placing a label upon ourselves. Labeling has a tendency to create separation. Not to mention, we have enough societal and governmental labels being placed upon each of us as it is. We certainly do not need to do it to ourselves. When we reach a point in our lives where we are comfortable with who we are, maybe we won’t place such an importance on labeling ourselves and allow ourselves to just be; just be who we are in the moment. Maybe we will grow closer to living as individuals who are all part of a whole.

It’s quite easy to see that diversity is a contributor to economic and cultural vitality. This is a good thing and can keep us propelling forward so long as we don’t get so caught up in labeling ourselves that we actually lose our identity in the process.