I don't speak American...

It seems as though that the Super Bowl has inspired a lot on the Internet this week. Putting aside disappointing football, beautiful National Anthems and buffalo chicken dip recipes, the thing that is the hottest topic that I've seen from this side of the pond is the Coca-Cola ad. In this beautiful representation of happiness and America, it saddens me to think that the message of connectedness and community is inspiring so much hatred out there. "America the Beautiful" is by far my favorite patriotic song and I've never heard a more powerful and humbling arrangement of it. I am very proud of Coca-Cola and am also very disappointed by all of the bullies out there being racist and stupid.

The word "American" to describe the quality and class of English that is spoken in the in the United States is one that has always put me on edge. My usual encounter with this word has been abroad while speaking to ignorant Europeans or some smug British who would use it as a qualifier to weigh in on the "correctness" or the level of my English as if being from the United States made my language skills inferior to theirs. Personally, I've had the pleasure of someone turning down my proofreading skills for an English paper because I didn't speak English, I speak "American." (If it makes you feel better, this idiot did not pass that class). In my life experiences, whenever the word "American" is used to qualify the language that I speak, it always has a negative connotation and is used in a condescending manner, however unintentional it may be. This week, I heard and saw firsthand, other people from the United States, belittling and disrespecting themselves by filling the social media outlets with hate. To insinuate that because you are in America you should speak "American" shows the world how uneducated and intolerant you are. "American" isn't a language; it's a way of life, a mindset and an adjective. I personally try not to use it but, if you do, USE IT CORRECTLY!

As my friends know, I'm not one to let things that are unjust, unfair or downright wrong get left uncorrected. I will be the first one to stand up and defend a sexist or racist or homophobic remark without a single thought as to any consequences there may be in it for me. I really can't let someone go along unchallenged if they are spouting out hatred. I want to call out all of my friends, acquaintances and the people whose social media accounts I've seen strewn with animosity and careless words and urge you to think of all of the people that you know who identify with their heritage and are proud of their roots. These people that you know are no different than the ones featured in this advertisement singing their pride in a language close to them. There is no official language of the United States. Stop isolating people because of the color of their skin, their religion, who they love, how they identify themselves, their political choices, their gender and the language of the words that come out of their mouth. Don't hate, appreciate.

As a (temporary as of now) ex-pat, I'm going to head off into the unknown, ready to defend my homeland (both from the small-minded within and elsewhere) with my dying breath. This advertistment continues to take away my breath and leave my eyes wet with tears. I hope if this didn't open your eyes to the diversity and the beauty around you, it at least has made you think.

I'm off to enjoy a coke.