Every week I write a political issue that affects YOU and the World AROUND YOU.
This week’s Weekly Political Report: What It Takes to Be An American
“This is probably the most meaningful victory for an American, just because of what happened here last year. Up till now I’d say my career was 99.9 percent fulfilled. Today I’d say it is 110 percent fulfilled!”
Noting what the Boston Red Sox had done in the World Series championship last year, he added that he wanted to provide a similar boost: “When the Red Sox did it, I said, ‘I want to do it for Boston.'” But what was truly inspiring was the surprising fact that he wrote the names of the Boston Bombing victims on his racing Bib (Krystal Shakespeare, Martin Richard, Ling Zi and Sean Collier)–and how he honored them in his race. He says, “They helped me carry through. At the end, I just kept thinking ‘Boston Strong’. I gave everything I had for Boston”
His victory did not only bring a lot of joy but controversy; about what it means to be an American–an issue which brought back a controversial article into the spotlight. When Meb Keflezighi won the NYC Marathon back in 2009, CNBC Sports Writer Darren Rovell took to his pen and wrote this in his article, Marathon’s Headline Win is Empty:
Meb Keflezighi, who won yesterday in New York, is technically American by virtue of him becoming a citizen in 1998, but the fact that he’s not American-born takes away from the magnitude of the achievement the headline implies.
Nothing against Keflezighi, but he’s like a ringer who you hire to work a couple hours at your office so that you can win the executive softball league.
Fortunately, Darren took back his comments–and said that Meb Keflezighi is as American as they come–but America today is still struggling to visualize “What (exactly) is An American?”
Why does this affect you?
It affects you because of what America has fought over in the past seven years–in regards to the “correct” appearance of an American.
It is this type of divisive issue that has led Real Estate Mogul Donald Trump and others on a wild goose chase to obtain a birth certificate from the President of The United States; because his name sounded foreign. It is this type of divisive issue that has led CNBC Sports Writer Darren Rovell to write these disparaging remarks against America’s gold medalist marathon runner Meb Keflezighi. And it is this type of divisive issue that has torn this great nation apart because politicians don’t know who exactly are “The People” of whom they serve.
I for one am glad that Meb won the marathon that day, because he has allowed us to rethink of “What It Takes To Be An American.” An American (who out of thousands of runners) wrote the names of the Boston Marathon Bombing Attacks on his bib. And an American who dedicated his whole run and win on behalf of those victims. THAT IS AN AMERICAN!
To those who continue to chastise his ethnic background, his path towards citizenship, or his name is UN-AMERICAN! Especially after what he accomplished in a 26.2 mile run.
If you wish to follow Meb Keflezighi you can do so via Twitter @runmeb
Disclaimer: THIS IS MY OWN POLITICAL OPINION. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS PLEASE DIRECT THEM TO MY CONTACT PAGE.
