SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 VENDOR VOICES Is a “real American” simply someone born on American soil? Or is it about holding a green card, having citizenship papers, or speaking English fluently? These are the surface-level answers often given, but the truth is far more complex. Being a real American goes well beyond legal status or geography — it’s a profound engagement with history, society, culture, politics and shared responsibility. The United States is, at its core, a nation of immigrants. From the Statue of Liberty — a gift from France welcoming those “yearning to breathe free”— to the diverse faces in every city and town, America’s identity is shaped by waves of people bringing different languages, cultures and dreams to our shores. But being American isn’t just about who arrives here or when. It’s about understanding the struggles, the triumphs, and the ongoing challenges that have defined the country’s evolution. This means grappling with the legacies of colonialism, slavery, warfare, the Cold War and economic upheavals, all the way through to today’s new “wars” around technology and artificial intelligence. Throughout history, competition has driven innovation and survival. Yet as the philosopher Peter Kropotkin wisely said, “Competition is the law of the jungle, but cooperation is the law of civilization.” If America wants to continue advancing, it must champion cooperation — not only internally but on the global stage. Citizenship: more than rights, a covenant of duties Too often, the conversation around citizenship focuses solely on rights: freedom of speech, the right to vote, protection under the law. These are essential, but equally critical are the duties that citizenship entails. Paying taxes, following laws, contributing to public health, engaging in community life, and showing respect for others are the glue that holds society together. Respecting the law is not merely One of America’s defining features is its astonishing diversity. This diversity goes beyond ethnicity and nationality. It includes religion, language, culture, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and even favorite sports teams or lifestyles. From Irish and Polish immigrants to Japanese, Chinese, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans and Native Americans, this melting pot has created something uniquely beautiful and complex. The religious landscape — from Catholics and Protestants to Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and atheists — reflects a broader American ideal: coexistence amid difference. As we move into the future, the old idea of nationality itself becomes less relevant. Borders blur in a globalized world governed by international declarations like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. True citizenship transcends mere paperwork — it demands an active, informed and empathetic participation in both national and global communities. American politics today is deeply PEDRO CAMPOS Groundcover vendor No. 652 obedience; it is respect for your fellow human beings and, ultimately, for yourself. Citizenship is a two-way street: the privileges come hand-inhand with responsibilities. Without this balance, democracy weakens and social cohesion frays. Our republic is a res publica — a public thing that belongs to everyone. Its wealth, power and wellbeing must be shared, not hoarded. This demands political engagement from citizens, whether by voting, participating in referendums, writing petitions or running for office. Fabric of diversity: America’s strength and challenge polarized, often simplified as a tug-ofwar between Republicans, who prioritize liberty (especially property rights), and Democrats, who emphasize equality. Both values are essential to a functioning society, and neither should dominate unchecked. Liberty without equality risks creating a society of haves and have-nots. Equality without liberty can slip into authoritarianism. The challenge — and the opportunity — for America is to strike a delicate balance, ensuring everyone has the freedom to thrive while guaranteeing fair treatment and opportunity for all. America’s global role: empire or partner? America is more than a nation; it is a project with international reach through organizations such as the United Nations, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization. This role demands diplomacy based on respect for other countries’ sovereignty, honest agreements and cultural exchange. It’s important to honestly recognize America’s imperialist tendencies. Every major power exerts influence, sometimes aggressively, on the world stage. America’s vast wealth and consumption come, in part, from resources and labor acquired abroad. This raises ethical questions about fairness and responsibility. Acknowledging these truths is not a sign of weakness but of maturity. The future lies in fairer economic relationships, cooperation and shared stewardship of the planet’s resources. Despite its ideals, America today functions more like an aristocracy marked by corporatism and plutocracy. Savage capitalism enriches a few while many struggle. Waste and inequality are rampant. Millions go GROUNDCOVER NEWS Raise your flag: What makes a real American? hungry while tons of food are discarded. This reality is a stark contrast to the founding ideals of democracy and justice. Americans must confront this gap honestly and work toward an economy and society that serve everyone’s wellbeing. Traditions, change and the path ahead Preserving tradition is vital — but it must be dynamic, open to change. No empire can justify endless greed. The old saying holds true: “The greater the empire, the harder the fall.” America must respect other nations’ sovereignty, promote peace and engage in honest, equitable partnerships. Intermixing cultures, ideas, values, and even bloodlines — without theft, violence, or racism — enriches all of us. True power lies not in domination but in cooperation and mutual respect. Finally, the most crucial point is this: to be a real American means to be human. Some Americans wrongly see foreigners as “second-class” or assume their own citizenship grants them superiority. This arrogance betrays ignorance of America’s history and what citizenship and America truly mean. Citizenship is about embracing a shared destiny, respecting all people equally, fulfilling both rights and duties and committing to the common good. America’s true strength lies in its willingness to be humble, to learn from its mistakes, to cooperate rather than compete destructively, and to uphold the universal values that connect us all as human beings. Only by embracing these truths can America live up to its highest ideals and serve as a beacon of democracy and humanity in an ever-changing world. Equality and liberty are foundational and cannot persist without one another. Still there's something missing. We learn fraternity from the French revolutionary flag as well as from the words of Jesus and John Lennon: we need Love. 15 DIALOGUE from last page also devastated the economic fortunes of most metropolitan cities, including Detroit. Soup kitchens helped feed the recently unemployed and members of their families. For southeastern Michigan counties, including Washtenaw County, a new challenge had emerged: how to shelter and feed the homeless in their communities. SAWC, the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, was created in 1984 to deal with the challenges. They succeeded in raising funds to build an integrated full service center called the Robert J. Delonis Center. Public and private partnerships made it possible. What do you think? Let the community conversations begin. Feel free to access YouTube videos on homelessness on the streets of America and Canada. The image of homeless people stricken with drugs and substance abuse falling over the streets, and other homeless individuals engaged in traumatic face-to-face confrontations on the streets could be upsetting. What should a community do? Should a community show more empathy, sympathy and compassion? Should community members contact the county's Community Mental Health to come to the rescue? Should treatment agencies do a wrap-around survival program which would provide shelter, food and clinical services for the homeless community? Should society do a better job of providing job opportunities for job-seekers and housing insecure members of the community? Let's discuss!
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