The day finally arrived. It was Thursday, Oct 24th and I felt milestone worthy to pull my son from school. He wasn’t particularly happy as he’s aiming for perfect attendance and while I love his ambition, I felt justified by having him witness a once in a lifetime experience. Living in this homeland for two decades plus, it felt like the natural next step in my commitment. I hadn’t spent a lot of time thinking about patriotism until I started to seriously consider carrying a US passport and defending all the great things this country stands for. Of course, there’s no rules around when to take the step to becoming naturalized other than it felt like the right thing to do. The US is now my chosen home.
My son was born here and my husband, a native Californian has been by my side since moving to this beautiful west coast state. Many of my closest friends are American or immigrants and now citizens. My step-children and their children and are part of my nuclear family. My work is here, and my favorite traditions are native to this great land. My diet, my newly acquired colloquialisms and my favorite sports, are all of this place I call home.
The United States gives me freedom of speech, the right to campaign, to assemble and join communities of like-minded people as well as the freedom to practice any religion, or none. Although I have a difficult time saying the words “I have the right to bear arms”, it is nonetheless a right that most countries will never have. It stands today a part of the constitution established in 1787 and what felt right and fitting at that time remains part of today’s reality, 232 years later. Amendments in our future may adjust course but for now we are accepting the good and the bad.
During the surprisingly formal, well-organized swearing in ceremony, the invited keynote showed a welcome authenticity by acknowledging that this country is not perfect. There’s been mistakes along the way that most American’s are not proud of like 100 years of slavery and wiping out entire native American populations. The legacy of this history lives on and feels more pronounced across many states, but progress is happening, slowly. There’re days when it feels like five steps forward and ten back but to move a great nation of 327 million takes energy, passion, people’s will and unfortunately some generations.
As an immigrant from a small tiny island 5,000 miles east, I remember making small adjustments along my journey such as changing my accent ever so slightly to avoid repeating myself when I lived in Houston, Texas. I know the natives appreciated it too. Without any doubt, the most memorable experiences circle around the fact that I have lived and worked in diverse communities made up of people from all races, creeds and backgrounds. To me, that is unquestionably the beauty of America. In order to succeed and live harmoniously, all pre-judgement must fall away and by opening my heart and mind, life has become a much richer and more fun ride.
After the ceremony at the Paramount Theater in Oakland, my husband, son and close friend enjoyed a delicious lunch in Berkeley where we shared our amazement by the fact that 1351 people from 100 different lands became citizens on that same day. Sitting to my right was a Cypriot who has lived here for 38 years and although proud of her native country, she was delighted to share citizenship with her husband and three children. To my left was a woman from El Salvador who proudly recited the pledge of allegiance. Next to her a young man from India who looked to get back to work. Vietnamese, Finnish, English and a family with young children from Senegal surrounded us. Despite our different languages and ethnicities, we are now one community and part of this great democratic experiment that binds us together under the protection and commitment of the US Constitution. I believe on that day and every day we welcome new immigrants; this country grows richer and stronger.
Over lunch, I reminded my son that this great country he was born in is unlike any other. He has the gift of endless opportunity, a diverse and rich landscape made up of people from all walks of life that he can learn from and share with. There is no other country quite like it. Even though my son has experienced first-hand the rich cultures of Ireland and the traditions of his father’s family from the US south, it’s the beautiful interwoven-ness that is uniquely American. By holding on to those that have been brought in and at the same time celebrate those newly created, this is what makes America truly exceptional.
On that Thursday morning as I sat patiently in my seat during the ceremony waving my newly acquired flag, I proudly belted out the Star-Spangled Banner and listened closely to the great words of This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie, I turned over a new life chapter as I swore allegiance to the flag. Joining forces with all those immigrants gone before from pioneers to builders, creators, movers and explorers, I hope I can deliver and remain a passionate contributor to this great country.