Thankful for getting it

If one wants an idea of how backwards some parts of the Valley of the Sun are, one has to look no further than the naming of a new high school in Gilbert. As preface, there has been some controversy over the name. The name approved by the Gilbert school board is Campo Verde HS. Campo Verde is Spanish for "green field". So, here's from Tuesday's Arizona Republic:

Almost 4,700 people filled out the survey conducted after the board received more than 100 angry e-mails about the name, which is Spanish for “green field.” Several complained that the name was Spanish and others said it was too generic. All argued that the district and board should have gotten public input beforehand, prompting a weeklong effort to gather suggestions via e-mail, a student focus group and an online survey. [emphasis mine]

Simply because the name is Spanish is an automatic criterion for disqualification? Really? Two words: GROW UP. On this eve of Thanksgiving, where we celebrate (among other things) the arrival of the Pilgrims from Europe, we are reminded that we are a nation of immigrants.

To make my point, I turn to Randall Munroe of the webcomic xkcd and Ryan North of dinosaur comics. Pardon their language but these comics prove my point eloquently:


from xkcd, #84 "National Language" by Randall Munroe


from dinosaur comics, 25 November 2008, by Ryan North

The point is this: there is not one true American culture. Like it or not, the US is one great melting pot of different races, cultures, languages, and creeds. To say that some is unacceptable because it doesn't reflect one culture's homogeneous beliefs is beyond absurd.

For what am I thankful this Thanksgiving? I'm thankful for people who understand and are tolerant of other cultures. I'm thankful for people that realize that the US is not just one culture but many cultures. I'm thankful for people that seek to end cultural stereotypes and cultural inequities. Or, in other words, I'm thankful for people who get it.

Cheers-
Edward Jensen