WILLIAMS SISTERS

[LouMinotti]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I don't think anything I said comes under race, nationality, sex, politics, etc. It seems sad to me that this great nation has become a different one that I grew up with. All your points are taken and appreciated. I do love the Ray Charles rendition of America the Beautful. It was and is the best. Good thread.

Message Edited by casinoannie97 on 08-18-2008 09:08 PM

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Yes, this country changes, and will continue to change. Consider this: My parents were the children of immigrants; my Italian Dad married my Irish Mom and my grandparents on both sides were none too happy at the time. I married a Cuban and my mother was not happy with my choice, nor were my inlaws. My kids are a mix of ethnicities. My middle son has a girlfriend of over a year and she is Chinese and I have my own biases there. But because this is the melting pot, and pretty much has been since the founding of the country, we have to accept that our notion of what America means in terms of culture and tradition is going to evolve. I look at China and her people. There is no ethnic mix at all there, and therefore not too much diversity and all that that implies if you know what I mean. I'll take diversity and a mix of culture over that any day. Even if it means feeling like a minority.

This country is great for many reasons, but one of them is our capacity to adapt and evolve and incorporate all manner of culture and traditions and still stay united.

[dizzier]

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@marty56 wrote:

I am not suprised that they acted this way given her father.

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what is that supposed to mean?

[MidnightVoice]

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LouMinotti wrote:

But because this is the melting pot, and pretty much has been since the founding of the country, we have to accept that our notion of what America means in terms of culture and tradition is going to evolve.

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Minorities projected to outnumber white Americans by 2042

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/14/usa1?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

The rapidly changing face of the American people is revealed in new census projections that predict that groups who are now labelled minorities will form the greater part of the nation's population by 2042.

According to the US Census bureau, the dominance of white people excluding Hispanics, who today account for two-thirds of Americans, will be whittled away, falling steadily to less than half in 2042 and 46% by 2050. In the opposite trajectory, those who describe themselves as Hispanics, blacks, Asians and native groups will increase in proportion from about a third now to 54% by 2050.

[dizzier]

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@Anonymous wrote:

It seems sad to me that this great nation has become a different one that I grew up with.

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you said you were over 70 right? considering that I come from a minority background,I for one am quite glad that this country is now a different one than you grew up in. change here has been good and bad, but in many respects, this country has changed for the better.

[MidnightVoice]

Some of us remember the end of apartheid in the States!

[Anonymous]

Putting one's hand over his/her heart is merely symbolism; one can do with that what he/she wishes.  I, personally, do not care for metaphors about the heart being more than a vital organ to keep my BODY alive.  That said, I do put my hand over my heart during the National Anthem, if I think about it, but what I really think about when I hear the song is what this country means to me.  I certainly have no judgment for those who chose to participate in any way they so choose.

[Anonymous]

Semper FI Brother

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ByrdMan wrote:
I am a very proud American and I DON'T put my hand over my heart during the National Anthem. I am a former Marine and therefore I stand at attention during the National Anthem. No one knows that I am doing this, so at first glance, it might "seem like" I am not a "good American", but I am doing what I was taught and what resonates best with me.

I agree that we shouldn't judge one's patriotism by what public gestures are made. I, like HTSU, had better shut up now, or face a self ban.

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[Anonymous]

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LouMinotti wrote:


But because this is the melting pot, and pretty much has been since the founding of the country,

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The "melting pot" phrase is being changed to "salad bowl".

Spouse is taking an online cross-cultural managment class and their weekly discussion last week was about "melting pot" vs "salad bowl" and was quite interesting, even for someone not in the class.

As for the National Anthem and the hand on the heart........I usually try to remember to do this.

If I forget or my hands are tied trying to get my 3 yr old to stand still, I still love my country as much as I do when my hand is over my heart.

Yes, it brings me joy to be at an event and see a small child with their hand over their heart during this time. It makes me want to tell the teenagers acting up behind me to go down and learn from this small child.

But, as already mentioned, it comes down to what/how you were taught.

My 3 yr old says "thank you" and "your welcome" to every person who does something for him. Even the person who rings up his toy and hands it back to him, even though that person is just doing their job.  He also insist on continuing to say "thank you" to them until they respond. Why? Because this is how he was taught. If I said "thank you" to him for doing something, I would repeat it until he said "your welcome".  If I got something for him, I didn't give it to him until he said "thank you".

I don't watch the Olympics, but considering the fact that it sounds like neither sister done it, I'd say it goes back to what they were taught.

[Anonymous]

marty56 wrote "To be slightly un-PC here,  I am not surprised that they acted this way given her father.   What I am surprised about is that they grew up poor and they were able to rise above poverty to make it rich."

Their father is the reason they are where they are today. His tactics may not be favorable, but is ambition and the vision he had for his children and being able to fulfill is to be admired. We are not always born with a silver spoon in our mouths, but because the world has change some, we are able to rise above anything. Children do not always grow up and act like their parents either. They are also Jehovah Witnesses and that is the reason they didn't place their hands above their hearts. The problem with the society now is that people are quick to judge without knowing the circumstances. We can't live for each other, we just have to live for ourselves and need to stop trying to find fault in others. Serena and Venus are a class act in tennis and if you ever followed their career, they have fought against a lot of negative circumstances and still remained humble and became champions.

I am still confused though, why are you surprised that they were able to make it rich??? Do you know how many people in this world from all nationalities were poor and made it rich? Why is their journey surprising compared to the other young women that are at the top of their game in tennis and rich because it when they too grew up poor???

[dizzier]

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@Anonymous wrote:

They are also Jehovah Witnesses and that is the reason they didn't place their hands above their hearts.

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THANK YOU!!