Watching the DNC with my Rosemary on MSNBC and our reaction is something that I would not want to discuss here and bring up my political ideas in a time of extreme polarization. My politics like my religion I keep to myself.
But there is one aspect that I expand on without offending anybody. It has to do with feeling a nationality (a pride of nationality). With me this is complex.
Consider that my maternal grandmother was born in Manila but raised in19th century Spain. I feel Spanish
Consider that my mother was born in Manila. I feel Filipino.
Consider that my father was born in Buenos Aires but his parents were from Manchester. I feel English.
Consider that I was born in Buenos Aires. I feel Argentine.
Consider that with my mother and grandmother we moved to Mexico. I married my Canadian wife in Mexico City. Our two daughters were born in Tacubaya, Mexico City. I feel Mexican.
Consider that I had a high school education in Austin, Texas. I feel both Texan and American.
Consider that my Rosemary, our two daughters and I have lived in Vancouver since 1975. I am a Canadian Citizen. I feel Canadian.
Since my Rosemary and I have been reading the NY Times with breakfast in bed for 20 years we are up to date with the U.S.A. I have relatives and friends who live in Florida, California, North Carolina,Washington State, Texas and Oregon.
We watched the DNC with a lot of interest. But there was a point on the last day when what I watched and heard hit my insides and I felt terribly (wonderfully) American.
I listened to the Chicks (formerly Dixie) sing an a capella Star-Spangled Banner.
In the mid 50s when my mother taught in an American school in Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico in a two-room schoolhouse I was in the 8th grade with five other boys. My mother often played the piano for us. Our two favourite songs were the Marine Hymn of the Republic and the Star-Spangled Banner. In my advanced age of 78 I know the beginning lyrics of the Argentine, Mexican, American and Canadian National Anthems. But my fave is the Star-Spangled Banner.
The version by the Chicks is absolutely awesome. I felt patriotic and proud without denigrating those other nationalities that I also feel. I slept well last night.