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Swords Crossed:
Like Trevino, I am of a Latino background, in my case Cuban.
Unlike Trevino, I grew up in my heritage - my parents were political refugees from the dictatorship of Fidel Castro. Though I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and I have never stepped foot on Cuba, I feel my parents' country in my bones.
I spoke Spanish before I spoke English. I was raised on congris, arroz con pollo, pernil, pudin de pan and yuca. I listened and learned when my parents and their friends discussed Cuban politics, culture, heritage and issues. We had many Cuban flags in my house.
And yet I feel myself a good, patriotic American. Anyone who knows me has seen my reaction to having my patriotism, and the patriotism of my fellow Democrats questioned. Here is an example:
Speaking for me, I love the United States of America and am devoted to its well being. Again, speaking for me, I think it is the greatest country in the world. Yes, I am one of those folks who believes in American Exceptionalism.
Does my love of, some may even call it an obsession, with my Cuban heritage and the land of my forebears make me LESS patriotic? Less of a good American?
More on the flip.
Trevino says:
I am an American nationalist, and whatever sympathy I have for the immigrants who mimic the voyage I assume my forebears made evaporates when I see Mexican flags on American streets, matricula consulars, irredentist nationalism, and disrespect for the very laws of the United States.
Similarly, whatever sympathy I have for the nation that increasingly sends them abroad with malign purpose evaporates when I consider what has become of it.
There is nothing unassimilable about the Mexican or the Hispanic within the context of America alone: my family's experience. But within the context of America plus an actively interested nation of origin, things change.
Disrespect for laws is unacceptable whether people fly flags or not. But I consider myself living proof that Trevino is wrong in this.
He is also wrong about this crazy wall business. But that can be debated on another day.