The entitlement of "Un-Americanism"

Americans use language with too much ease, and often without any definition to show reference to the words they use. “Un-American” is a term that wrongfully rummages into many political arguments considering the American ideals on freedom and everything that goes with it.

The first time the term “Un-American” was used in a professional setting was in 1934 in theHouse Committee on Un-American Activities (HCUA). The HCUA disbanded in 1975.

This committee focused on combating the acts of the Nazis, the KKK, and later, the Communists, in a very McCarthy-like way. In 1959, President Harry S. Truman denounced the HCUA as being “[T]he most Un-American thing in America today”.

I agree with Truman that there is no such thing as an “Un-American” act, or rather, considering what a true driving force in America is, an “Un-American” belief.

The term “Un-American”, and the implications and use of it directed toward any individual, group, or thing, is something which could easily follow under the same ridiculous meaning of “Un-American:” acting out of intolerance and bigotry.

As GRCC student Chris Rodriguez put it, “’Un-Americanism’ is being used too liberally”. I agree, but, I think that the term shouldn’t be used at all.

Whether people like Bill Maher or Glenn Beck use the word, it implicates a certain characteristic, some quality or qualities, which they see in others that are contrary to their own beliefs. When anyone uses the word, it implies that someone or some group has a quality or qualities that are far out of the norm that they attribute to their own being American.

When people like Rush Limbaugh use it, they’re more than often aiming to somehow instill in their audiences the disavowment of an American individual, or sect of political individuals for their beliefs which contradict their own convictions. Their own fundamental politic is what wails out a great punching of “un’s” and “anti-isms.”

As Green River student Tyler Stubenvoll puts it, “The Un-Americanism of today is a term that plays on racial fears, government needs and whatever will sell papers.”

Now, what constitutes Americanness?

Take what is considered “Un-American:” a strong deviation from American cultural and political norms. What is an American norm? 

In this bold country, this grand nation of freedoms, no matter how limited they may be, we have a natural congregation of oppositional forces, in most cases, because of the freedoms we allow.

In secular America, we have atheists, theists, pantheists, and polytheists. Out of these various groups of people, in a more defined list: we have Buddhists, Taoists, Hindus/Sikhs, Shinto, Islamic peoples, Christians/Catholics, Jews, Scientologists, Mormons, and the dozens of other religions which lie and hold influence on American soil.

All of these religions have very strong beliefs which, more than often, discredit and debunk the various others.

In this country we have Republicans, Democrats, Greens, Libertarians, Communists, Socialists, Nazis, Independents and more, all with exceedingly strong oppositional views.

In this country we have Gays, Straights, Anti-Gays, Anti-Straights, asexual peoples, etc., all of whom have powerful beliefs of their own.

Sexual orientation, political identification, religious affiliation: just here, there is no generalized belief, no general American norm.  

Though there may be similarities among the groups, the basic desires of each of these various institutions and categories of people are innumerably different. Even within each religion or political party, the desires and aims may vary among its given members.

Wherever this “Un-Americanism” lies, wherever this deviation from a “true” American person is, I don’t think that I can find it. The great masses of people all typically want different things, and act accordingly.

The Americanness of any individual lies in his or her own “Americanesque” freedom, no matter how diminished that freedom may be. In their freedom, they have the ability to hold contrary beliefs to any person or any standard set of beliefs in formal institutions, etc., and the ability to act or speak against the opposition – while abiding by the law, of course.

Because of our freedoms of speech and action under the law, it is our basic right to act in whatever way represents our beliefs, whether “Un-American” or not. The Implications of which should or can be only positive, for we are acting as we are supposed to act.