Bass Ackwards ... all too common

Tonight I again spent a number of hours with PBS. America at A Crossroads held my interest, for it spoke of the who/how/why/where/whatever of being an Islamic American. I wasn't glued to the tube, but I was listening with both ears. Nothing on the program made me feel endangered, and only a few things had the touch of "shame on us for thinking and acting that way" -- "us" being we who are not followers of Islam.

But the epiphany I experienced had little to do with Islam, and a lot to do with being American. Our one nation indivisible had once again been doing things a bit backwards, for perhaps the best of reasons, but wrong nonetheless.

When we speak of different ethnicities or belief systems, all American, we blindly follow the pattern that who knows whom started who knows when. First state the difference -- christian, jew, muslim or native, african, italian et cetera -- and only then add the "American" as almost an afterthought (or to avoid the appearance of divisiveness or bias).

I think that it is long past the time where American comes first and is placed first when we speak of individual differences and preferences. It would certainly be more accurate, since those we speak of generally are long standing or born-to-it Americans ... people who generally share the same hopes and support for our country.

Henceforth it is should be made a rule: American first! American Muslims, American Natives, American Africans, American Jews, American Irish, American Catholics, American Greeks, American Americans.

How much closer we would find ourselves, when each "difference" began with the one thing we all share: American

Think about it . . .