I celebrate!

My views on the imposing ones

I am second generation of immigrants who fled their homeland,

seeking a better life due to harsh conditions.

Conditions that left my ancestors starving.

Starving, not only for food but for the religion that fed their soul.

Fed one that was not their choice, while looking at their culture

being swallowed up by another.

Seeing their families die off or being sent off to other parts of the world

Kicked out of their homeland, their possessions taken.

 

As a history major, I know that every  ethnicity has a story behind it.

Most are not a glorious one to tell. Most are shameful!

Thus,  the importance to keep one's culture alive is of the utmost importance,

carrying it within, sharing with your loved ones, continuing what might of been lost.

It is important that the truth of history be taught and never forgotten

One can hold on to that

 

As an American, I see the opportunities gained and lost,

but at least I see that one can gain.

I see my flag not of ones that came from Europe,

but as the red, white and blue that flies before me

my children and their children

 

I celebrate all cultures of my nation, and do not persecute

any that might of come from those nations that persecuted

my ancestors past.

For they are of my generation

They were not there, but here with me

 

The holidays that I celebrate are behind my flag.

Why does it bring pleasure to hear the words of past dwellings

that so many rant on, an endless passage of what was done

For those who say what we should or should not do

What we should celebrate and what is taboo..

 

I will celebrate my country in all it's glory,

Every holiday, every day of the month.

I did not slaughter, demean or falter on any group of people.

 

My neighbors are of many and with that I grow and respect

Indeed I have taken on various cultural practices. 

It's my smorgasboard. America's gift to me!

I do not preach about what one should celebtrare,

nor  what one should or should not eat or wear

for I respect each and my opinion is my own

 

This nation is what it is because of the trials and tributes

that many cultures experienced hence forth a multitude of beautiful rays.

Yes, let those rays shine, but through the flag that I bear as my own

do I see them

 

I celebrate Halloween, not a Pagan am I.

Christmas is my choice to praise my religion

Not a Spaniard am I spreading Christianity

Thanksgiving the day of all days,  in addition to every day,

to give thanks for who and what we are

 

I will eat my turkey, yes my belly is a grave yard.

But not criticize those who eat what may become fungi

Watch my parades, Yes I share in our diversity

Live next to neighbors who may be decedents of

Those who starved my neighbors

Salute my veterans, speak my language still

while listening to the languages to others. Thank our vets for that!

The aromas that fill my senses from my neighbors cooking

I shall enjoy, with admiration of the difference.

 

I speak of those who still carry the baggage of the past

Tired aren't they already? It's getting heavy.

Silently,  I wonder, what are those trying to accomplish?

 

Rant as one may, and in this country one can do so

Thanks to the freedom bestowed upon us,

Not remembering that imposing them on others

is a lack of respect.

Respect others, for they shall return the favor

then and only then will they hopefully open

their minds and learn,

that everyone has a past behind them and to remember that

"it is the past."  To be learned from and not to used as a

historic cry to change what we have become.

 

Now we should celebrate the present,

and how we can make a difference as a whole

in one country, under one flag,  made up of soo many

 

No where else can one say that, but here your voice echos

 

I salute my brethren with high praise and respect

I praise God with my inner soul

The same God that may have another title,

whether it be a symbol, sign, sprit, an animal or the earth

it may be,, but the road it stands by is all the same