The Wisdom of Teddy
Why is it important to be a student of history? Because most of the time, in one way or another, most issues have already been dealt with before. As Solomon once said, "There is nothing new under the sun."
"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907
posted by Jake @ 12:18 AM
27 comments
27 Comments:
Interesting quote, Jake.
What an eloquent explanation for why I *hate* being called an Asian American. I'm an American, thankyouverymuch!
Good quote... Teddy is up there as one of my favorite presidents to quote, if not my favorite.
brilliant man he was indeed...
O- this only one of the many wise words of Theodore Rex
Emm- unfortunately men like him would not be tolerated these days in politics nor the media.
jennifer- Teddy also once said... "There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism."
jon- he is by far my favorite. i have a small theodore library.
shayna- my hero
cowgirl- somehow i skipped yours on my reply. whoops. isn't teddy the man? yes, that's a new pic- stop staring!
you are so right that Teddy wouldnt be tolerated in todays 'politically correct' world, thats a shame too. Your comic sums it up all in one picture.
Jake: I had no idea we were dealing with hyphenated Americanism way back in Teddy's day.
You're right that he wouldn't be tolerated in today's PC world. Case in point for how upside down things are. Teddy was far ahead of his time in his actions with regard to equality for all Americans - something the PC crowd purports to care about. But, its all about the image these days, isn't it?
barngoddess- i love that comic.
jennifer- we've been dealing with that for a very long time unfortunately. yes, it is for sure all about the image, rather than the content of character.
Thought you'd like this brother.
http://thoseshirts.com/coulter.html
Sully
In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin.
So far I agree.
But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all.
Very close minded indeed. It is not a matter of allegiance saying there is something else that makes you who you are... it is reality... and an oath that allows you to hold another passport cannot erase what makes you nor your past. Let's face it, it is all politics. My husband, when he traveled with his Iranian passport, he was treated like a criminal. Now that he has an American one, his ass is kissed and he is still the same guy, nothing's changed. I prefer sincerity to feigning something for the sake of a document.
We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...
One flag to represent the country, sure... but funny thing to want to exclude all flags when America is a country comprised of foreigners.
We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.
Languages are the gateway to connecting cultures... I speak 5, my mother speaks 8 and the minimum everyone in my family speaks is 3... that is common here in Europe and there is no fear of losing yourself nor your nationality nor is there a fear of whatever country we are living in that they are losing their flavor. If anything, it adds to it and enriches it.
1907... outdated and sorry to go against the grain but I am so not impressed by this quote! I am Danish Iranian, raised between Spain and the US, hold and American passport and I will never stop saying all my other parts as a piece of paper does not a person make...
so we agree on the first passage...
let's get to the rest:
Very closed minded indeed. It is not a matter of allegiance saying there is something else that makes you who you are... it is reality... and an oath that allows you to hold another passport cannot erase what makes you nor your past. Let's face it, it is all politics. My husband, when he traveled with his Iranian passport, he was treated like a criminal. Now that he has an American one, his ass is kissed and he is still the same guy, nothing's changed. I prefer sincerity to feigning something for the sake of a document.
TR is not saying not to be who you are. That would be impossible, hence I know that is not what he was insinuating. Rather, in line with the context of the first passage and the last passages (all of which are excerpts from a larger speech) he is still making the point of assimilation and allegiance which has nothing to do with who you are. Bottom line- he's making the point that if you are leaving your country to come to ours for a better life, then your loyalties should now lie with ours. COMMON SENSE. In general, Europeans such as yourself have always disliked TR and likely always will, so I am not surprised that you perceive him as "close-minded", however, being the tolerant person that I am (which I hate to admit) I would use a more "open-minded" term like... I don't know, maybe opinionated to describe him. As for your husband... I am absolutely certain (given the fact that he is married to such a darling as yourself) that he is a fine man by any standards of any country in the world, and it is unfortunate that he is treated differently when he carries an American passport. I'd like to point out, however, that it's not about people being insincere or fake when he shows it. In all fairness, they don't know him from Adam. So, when they see an American passport he gets treated better, because the US is a better place to come from than Iran. The same could be said of Europe. All countries are not equal. COMMON SENSE. Sure, that may sound quite arrogant, but that's a fact. How else does one explain all the immigration to the West? It's better- period.
One flag to represent the country, sure... but funny thing to want to exclude all flags when America is a country comprised of foreigners.
First off- America is not comprised of foreigners. We are comprised of immigrants (most of whom are legal). Are we the only country with one flag representing us? No. On the contrary, we are the only country even having such a ludicrous debate. Do you see Algerians waving their flags in Paris with the French flag below it, and upside down at that? How about China? Do you see any Taiwanese flags? What about Spain? Any Moroccan flags? In Germany do you see any Turkish flags? I could go on and on. Every civilization since recorded history began has had a flag which symbolized their unity, and never have we seen any of these civilizations give precedence to another country's flag except on two occasions: 1)the olympics and 2)defeat in War.
Languages are the gateway to connecting cultures... I speak 5, my mother speaks 8 and the minimum everyone in my family speaks is 3... that is common here in Europe and there is no fear of losing yourself nor your nationality nor is there a fear of whatever country we are living in that they are losing their flavor. If anything, it adds to it and enriches it.
I would say to best understand another culture one must learn that culture's language. So I agree that languages are the gateway to connecting with other cultures. However, I would also say that in order to unify, self-govern, and succeed as a nation/civilization with different cultures dwelling within itself, it is absolutely fundamental to have a common language in which to function in civic, and business affairs. Again, Europeans do this too. When I lived in Italy there weren't any official documents written in Arabic, Albanian, Turkish, or even English for that matter, even though anyone who immigrates would likely not speak Italian as their first language. It is expected that you learn Italian. I suspect it's the same for France and England, and probably the rest of Europe. When Europe had competing empires throughout the world, their colonies learned the language of their European counterparts- why? COMMON SENSE. It's better for civic and business affairs and for general unity to have a common, official language. I know this is the case for the rest of the world. America, is the exception to the rule we don't have an official language! But we should. We don't need to speak 8 languages. English is the dominant language of our time. History has always had a dominant language. Doesn't Greek and Latin come to mind? It may be common in Europe, but that's bc it's a necessity whereas in America it would be more of a novelty. I speak 2 languages fluently, and am about to learn a 3rd. However, when would I ever use Italian except in Italy, or at a the local Italian-owned restaurant. Some would even argue that one of the many reasons Europe can't get ahead economically is they aren't unified enough, hence the recent moves to a common European currency and governing body, and, yes, official languages.
1907... outdated and sorry to go against the grain but I am so not impressed by this quote! I am Danish Iranian, raised between Spain and the US, hold and American passport and I will never stop saying all my other parts as a piece of paper does not a person make...
We can always learn from history. Every facet of our society works because we have learned from history. 1907 isn't that long ago, and most facets of our society and yours operate to this day off precedents, laws, etc. which have their origins that go much further back. And an idea shouldn't be written off simply because it's old, that would be just plain ignorant. This little excerpt's ideas are very pertinent to the debate today in our country. It may not be what one likes to hear if you disagree, but it is the other side of the argument- which is always necessary in well-reasoned debate, and, of course, for the sake of intellectual integrity. I have ancestral roots in 3 different countries from 3 different continents, and my mother is an immigrant. I was raised in the humble, yet charming state of Mississippi. i hold an American passport because I don't need another even if I am a dual citizen. I am with you- No piece of paper makes us who we are. I live in a country where who you are is determined by you, and you alone. I am an American, and I will never refer to myself as any form of a hyphenated American.
As for going against the grain. I welcome it, and appreciate you taking the time to put it forth. How else are we supposed to form any kind of true convictions about things except to think through all of the opposing views. Thank you for your perspective. As for this topic, I am done, you can have the last word.
Jake:
I got your message, but again I was unsuccessful at breaking through on the return call. I hope you and Dre are saving lives straight from the casino. I read those books on that thing that we talked about with the guy. I'm still on the fence but the pull of history is getting stronger. I'm pacing the floor now. Can I resist it? Should I? The Truth Johnny Utah and I are holding things down in the woods of MO--two celebrities here amongst the people. Contact me when you can.
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Ignatius Soprano? LMAO. that is the most creative handle I've ever heard, and it fits you well man. We'll have to give each other sitreps via my blog I suppose. Dr. Dre and I are cashing in some points here with the natives. Those are two good books aren't they? Yeah, they're not meant to be the knock out punch, they're more like little jabs to get one thinking. History has much to say indeed. I'm on the fence as well, but I still consider myself on Luther's side. Don't pace it could give away your location. Good q's.
Tell The Truth- Johnny freaking Utah, "I've got my eyes on him..." he'll get a kick out of that.
Two celebrities- yeah, if ya'll are celebrities then I'm the freaking King of this wheatfield wasteland. Gotta go... Me gettum squaw!
sully- the T-shirt is great bro. That Ann... I wish I could do that "My Date with Drew" deal with Ann. I think she'd dig me. Besides, that girl needs to unwind a bit.
Pretty reasoned discourse there Jake. Hyphenated Americanism has long been an issue. Back in TR's day it was about irish-americans and italian-americans. It is funny how ethnicity and origin are still such a large part of who they are. The area that I'm from in Iowa is almost exclusively of German decent. We still consider ourselves to be German on some level... even though everyone immigrated in the late 1800s.
This isn't to say that we don't bleed red,w white, and blue. Indeed, we are all Americans who appreciate our heritage. I think that is really what TR is talking about.
I agree with pretty much everything you say. The basic "aside" I have is that the language needs to be more responsible. Yes, he said it in 1907 and I am probably judging him by today's standards but such a mentality nor speech can really stand up as a fundamental truth today.
As for assimilation, there are multiple theories on that and different ways for societies to integrate (but in all honesty I simply don't have the time to look it up as my 3-year-old is lying on the floor and shrieking). so no, assimilation is not the only route.
With regards to my husband, I do understand that it has to do with the status of whatever nation's passport you hold, nothing personal, yes, but it was just to show how ludicrous such things are, though necessary in some ways, in that a piece of paper can alter someone's perception so very much. Back in the early 70's, before the revolution, Iran was a thriving and modern society and never would such a treatment of an Iranian occur. Now... perception, politics, history, reality. Just a shame is all.
Back to TR's words (and by the way... I never heard of us Europeans not liking him... Though I know of and about him, I do not know as much as I would like to to claim that I do not like him but I will say that I did not like this quote... but that takes us to my opening in this comment...):
But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American... There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all.
This is not true. You will find in most first generation immigrants (and yes, I know the US is a nation comprised of immigrants... forgive the use of the word foreigners... it's what happens when written in a rush and no time to double check... although at one point all immigrants where foreigners to the land!) that they cannot help but feel they are something else too. This does not mean their allegiance is divided, just that their sense of identity is and the two are not the same thing. So yes, you take an oath to let go of your old nationality and assume a new one, then do it sincerely, but it does not mean you need to lose yourself and your sense of identity to fit in. I find that sad and insincere. With time, as new generations are born in the US it is only natural that they feel only American and nothing else since that is the only world they know... but that is a matter of the human psyche and the environment in which you are raised rather than an issue of allegiance, divided or no... see what I mean? So ask me who I am and I always say Iranian/Danish raised between Spain and the US. It is who I am. I cannot define myself by just one of those because I have lived in all of those countries at some point in my life, speak all those languages and am a living mix of them all. I also hold three passports legally so then what? No, who you are is who you feel to be and such things do influence you. Nationality is unfortunately a matter of politics, necessity, need, passion and the like... depending on who you are and your need and reason for citizenship. Support America for embracing you, yes, but like I said, there is no need to lose yourself... I would say that adds to the flavor of it all!
We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...
His language is more figurative than literal here which is what I was responding to. Yes, of course you have your own flag to represent your nation, that goes without saying... but dear Teddy boy needs to be more careful with his language as it can be construed as other nationalities and their ways not being welcome in the US to live as who they are and to say that when your nation is comprised of immigrants is not a very enlightening thing to say...
We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.
I agree with all you say in the above matter... once again, of course you need a common language to tie all your citizens in together. I think that my speaking 5 languages is a testament to the fact that I adapt to the cultures that I am and have lived in (without losing myself mind you) and understand the necessity to do so. But once again, the statement can be construed as falling short and being quite of today's "Bush" mindset where he is really not supportive of all the other languages being spoken in the country today. Youa re bound to have different languages when comprised of immigrants. I think they should thrive as it does nothing but enrich you as an individual and in turn, the nation but yes, you need English to tie you in together.
...an idea shouldn't be written off simply because it's old...
No it shouldn't but we have to admit that they do become outdated. 1907 in years is not so long ago but in cultural advancements coupled with the techonological leaps we are very different creatures than what people were then... my god, we are talking in the blogosphere! Who'd a thunk it? So no, I am not writing him off but just stating that his words do not wholeheartedly apply to today's world anymore though they may have been brilliant in his time...
As for hyphenated Americans and the like... I think I address that up above when speaking of the different generations...
Hope this makes sense! Still wrote it in a hurry cause my kid is still screaming so off I go to feed him! And no, no offense taken! ;-p I will end this here too! One, because such discussions can get too messy and I so don't like messes and 2, because there's better things for us all to do, I'm sure! Much love from one opinionated bohemian! Hope you don't regret inviting me into your world! ;-)
Miz Bohemia- you sassy Danish/Persian princess you... ;) I love your work.
You are always, always welcome here, and I absolutely have no regrets inviting you in.
-Jake
Fast Squirrel- need more Squirrels like you around. Wait... you've got one on the way! Congrats man. Boy or girl?
wickedpinto- first time here? thanks for visiting, and more so for commenting.
Yo, Jake. Great blog, great dialogue. I'm glad to have found you.
That was Qoheleth ("The Teacher", in the King James "The Preacher") posing as Solomon, FWIW.
Lots of folk have commented on how ol' TR wouldn't make it in the political world of 2006. As you probably know, he wasn't considered particularly PC in 1907. I doubt that he would ever have been elected to the Presidency on his own. But (I read) he got shoved into the Vice Presidency under McKinley so he could be gotten out of New York State and stop messing with that state's Republican machine. The rest is, er, ahem ... :)
Keep on keepin' on ...
o ceallaigh-
thanks so much man.
i think i've see you before somewhere... i suspect Ambrose. which i am horrible at pitching in with you word engineers over there.
ah yes, i stand corrected on Solomon. thank you very much for pointing that out.
TR is one of my heroes. I find his characteristics, actions, and words inspiring as a man, and, (hopefully) a future father, and husband.
Thanks for passing by and I'll be sure to visit you soon. See you at Ambrose.
Hey Jake-ito! We know you are there! Now post something why dontcha!
Yep, just the bohemian way of popping int o say hola!
The Bohemian Hotness!
I posted just for you today. Sorry, it's been so long, but it's depressing here. I am always slow to post depressing stuff.
Ciao1
Emm-
I just added that quote to my TR collection. Yes, the more I read the old guy, the more I am impressed. However, I have been most impressed by his letters to his sons. There is a book written by Douglas W. Phillips called The Letters and Lessons of Teddy Roosevelt for His Sons. It has some incredibly insightful, personal writings to his sons which are unmatcehd in any biography. It's a difficult title to find in your local bookstore, but give it a shot. Very worthwhile. As for a biograhy- Edmund Morris is by far the most thorough. His titles include The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt (which I believe won the Pulitzer) and Theodore Rex (the follow up which covers his post presidential years).
You are welcome. Sounds like Teddy will be put on rain check for now.
Big brains are beautiful too! (Excuse my cyber flirtation)
Yeah, the ppt deadline is a month you know. No, really, it's just everytime I read the email... it's so long. I mean to get the work done, but I can never sit still that long. I think I suffer from a sever case of ADD.
Nice quote. Thank you.
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