I am proud to be Filipino, and proud of my rich heritage. But I am also thankful to be an American. I am thankful to my parents for making the difficult decision to leave the country they loved so much (and their families, careers, businesses, friends -- everything!) to try to secure for their children the lifestyle and opportunities that are available in the United States.
My father became a citizen a few years after he arrived in this country, and my mother became one in 1984. Because my sister, brother and I were all minors, we became citizens when our mother did (that's how it worked back then -- kids followed their mother, not father). I was 16 years old when I became a United States citizen. My parents had to be interviewed, take an English and civics exam, and then participate in an oath-taking ceremony. Here is the oath one must take in order to become a U.S. citizen:
My father became a citizen a few years after he arrived in this country, and my mother became one in 1984. Because my sister, brother and I were all minors, we became citizens when our mother did (that's how it worked back then -- kids followed their mother, not father). I was 16 years old when I became a United States citizen. My parents had to be interviewed, take an English and civics exam, and then participate in an oath-taking ceremony. Here is the oath one must take in order to become a U.S. citizen:
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
I vividly remember asking my parents about the oath, and as much as they wanted citizenship, the part that bothered them the most was having to renounce allegiance and fidelity to the Philippines. My mother said she teared up when she said those words. Nonetheless, they were proud and happy to become citizens. One of the reasons my parents left our country is that they were supporters of those who rebelled against the dictatoship of then-president Marcos. When martial law was declared, the situation became more dangerous for those who were not Marcos supporters. So my parents left.
I know a lot of people who want very much to become U.S. citizens. Whenever I think of them, or hear about immigrants to this country who would give an arm and a leg to become Americans, I worry about them, and I also breathe a sigh of relief that I have already attained that privilege. In recognition of American Independence Day, here are some reasons why I am thankful to be an American:
I can write a blog about anything I want without fear of being thrown in prison.- I don't have to worry that I will wake up one day and find my house surounded by the soldiers of a dictator regime trying to intimidate me because I was outspoken against said dictator.
- I have a Constitutional right to raise my children the way I want to, as long as I don't abuse or neglect them.
- After I had my first baby, I was allowed to think about having another baby, and allowed to have that second baby.
- I can be a Christian and not have to be scared to let others know.
- I'm allowed to talk to guys who aren't related to me even outside the presence of my husband or brother.
- When I travel out of the country, I can register with the U.S. Embassy, and if something bad happens to me, they will help.
- If I visit Arizona and a cop stops me for, say, jaywalking, all I have to worry about is paying a fine, not getting deported.
- When it's a gazillion degrees out, I can wear shorts and a tank top.
- I can vote or not vote in elections, like or dislike the President, use or not use the internet, believe or disbelieve the accuracy of news reports, support or not support a war.
It's the little things that mean a lot.
I know this country has problems, and I'm not without complaint. But I'm still grateful that I get to live here.
I know this country has problems, and I'm not without complaint. But I'm still grateful that I get to live here.
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