While reading the Wall Street Journal, editorial page I believe, the writer brought up the American motto "E Pluribus Unum", "Out of Many, One". Later, while chatting with my wife about some of the curriculum changes at one of my children’s' school, I was reminded about this.

The school, well known for the diverse culture of its students, is adding diversity (cultural not racial) classes next year. That is really nice I thought. It is important for children to learn about other cultures from around the world. Ultimately, it makes us more competitive in the global market. Knowledge and understanding of the people we do business with allows us to create products and services that best suite their needs.

I realize that my child's school does not think about the economic impact of this type of education, but it is nice to know there is a real-life benefit to some of the touchy-feely stuff they throw at our kids.

Back to my point. Schools are spending significant time and energy teaching our children reading, writing, and arithmetic; as well as diversity (mostly ethnic), socialism, not keeping score, and singing kumbaya. What happened to the schools responsibility of teaching American Culture and what it means to be American? What is more important, teaching children about Boxing Day in Canada or the great American Melting Pot?

I choose the melting pot. When we look at the status of immigrants in America, are they joining us by integrating parts of their culture into ours, or are they carving out holes in the fabric of our nation to insert their ideals without mingling with ours. Rush Limbaugh put it eloquently by referring to this issue as “hyphenated Americans”. Fundamentally who are we; what is America. Are we one nation out of many, or are we many people who happen to live here.

Maybe it’s time we all think about where we came from and how those diverse cultures have added to what it means to be American. This country is so much more than the sum of its parts; let us keep it that way. When asked who you are, answer “I’m an American, I may come from ____________ (insert part of world/culture), but I’m American and that is what is truly important.”