Is the Hyphen Meaningless?

       After reading "Dropping the Hyphen? Becoming Latino (a)-American through Racialized Assimilation" by Tanya Golash-Boza it caught my attention the importance of either keeping or dropping the hyphen in one's race. I guess it all depends on the person and how they identify themselves. I cannot argue for one side because I have some sort of belief in both. Yes, I truly believe we are all Americans, well for the most part, the ones who were born in the United States. However, I also believe that we do come from different ancestors and look different and should be identified and proud of being part of something else than American. 

          

As this picture above demonstrates how we should drop the dash and just identify ourselves as American. However, what is an American? Who are they? How do you become one? I asked these questions in class and I’m going to repeat it because it is really important to think about it. When you search and define “American” you will see it say somewhere “a native or citizen of the United States” but it also says “a native or inhabitant of any of the countries of North, South, or Central America.”  Yet we are guilty of implying that American is white and the more we become white the more American we are.  Nevertheless, many do not believe they will ever become white or American because of their color of their skin and other characteristics that differ from others.  On the other hand, United States is a melting pot with all races and which makes up America and what American has become.  Why categorize ourselves when we all live in the same country, shop at the same stores, drive the same streets, and have the same rights. In many articles in the Chicago Tribune, are arguments on why the hyphen should be drop. For example, in the article “Now's the time to drop hyphens that divide us” by John Kass, he points out that by dropping the hyphen it will “It will help us gather together, as one nation, to get ready for what must be done, without demonizing any group or giving into fear-mongering.” I totally agree and it should be done but there it is not brought to the attention as much as other issues. Kass has more great points which can be read on this link. 

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2001-09-19/news/0109190255_1_hyphens-americans-greek-descent   However, many will disagree because they emphasize their ancestors and background and proud of their race and do not want to be define as just American.

Right above, there is a picture that presents pride of being a hyphenated American.  Many people say they are proud of being Mexican-American, African American, or Asian American, etc. I as well can say I am proud of being Mexican American because I celebrate being a Mexican and an American. Some may say how can you be proud of your race when it’s at the bottom of the social class? However, it is not about any of that when it comes to race. It comes from where your ancestors were born and what traditions and customs you practice. In the reading by Tanya Golash-Boza, she argues that it is necessary to have the hyphen due to the fact it is represented that Americans are white and non-Americans are hyphenated Americans. Also, to one their biological features and traditions are very important to them and the embrace it by letting everybody know how they define themselves.   Golash-Boza talks more about importance in hyphens and the racial assimilations. https://webcourses.niu.edu/bbcswebdav/library/eReserves/20138-ILAS-100-----1/golashdhb.pdf

Hyphen or no hyphen you still would be you. It is not a bad thing to keep the hyphen but it does categorize you into a group and may have issues with something because of your race due to the corrupt and racist world we live in. However, claiming that you are American will not guarantee anything but just be grateful to be able to even say you  are an American.