The piece in Monday’s guest commentary (“Racist act exemplifies reasons it’s shameful to be an American,” ODE, Apr. 17) really bothered me. Not just because of the racist act from one individual toward another but also because of author Michelle Cadish’s declaration of being embarrassed, ashamed and horrified to be an American.
Although what this man said and did toward a young woman was racist and very wrong, one man’s actions don’t reflect what the entire country is like. My family, friends and just about everyone I know would never act the way he did, yet Cadish is not proud to be an American because of the way they choose to act. I would never act this way either, and Cadish is not proud to be an American because of how I act.
I also don’t declare myself as being embarrassed to be an American because of how both past and current presidents of our country are not perfect. Many presidents of this country have made mistakes, and sometimes I may have ill feelings toward those actions, but never have I been ashamed for being a citizen. The United States of America is a country with problems just like any other country, and I believe most countries also deal with racism. Perhaps Cadish meant to say that she was embarrassed, ashamed and horrified to be a citizen of the world?
Please remember that when one American does something wrong, it isn’t true of all Americans. The racism still in this country today doesn’t make me happy, but I’m not embarrassed, ashamed or horrified to be an American. For many other reasons I am proud to be an American.
Trae Richardson, University student
