Diversity has been key part of country for centuries

Editor:

Some of those who have played “ball” say sports helps unite our Country, while others who really haven’t, attempt to use it to divide us.  So … are we proud of the Country we are and always have been, or are we intent on denying reality and making America into something it is not and never has been?

When Captain John Smith arrived in Jamestown (circa 1607) Native American people dominated the North American continent. Remember the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy in what is now New York State? By that time, much of our southwest was already settled by Spanish-speakers. As I recall, we took that area from Mexico in 1848. Some thought we did so to protect the institution of slavery. The Fugitive Slave Law had a similar intent.

By 1619 the first African slaves were brought here against their will. Thomas Jefferson, the author of The Declaration of Independence and our third president, reportedly had several children by Sally Hemmings, one of those slaves.

The point is that what is now the United States has always been diverse. And those whom some find undesirable today—often due to where they come from—are just the latest in a very long line of supposed misfits who do not belong here. Earlier it was the Irish, the Chinese, the Italians, and the Poles, among others, whom some thought should have stayed home, rather than dig ditches, build buildings and do that Transcontinental Railroad “thing”.

Wishing isn’t going to change the reality created by our origins.  This country is—and has ALWAYS been—diverse. Denial won’t change that.

Those who have been involved in sports don’t usually ask what country his/her ancestors came from when a goal gets scored or a shutout is thrown.

Sincerely yours,

Gary Kent

Albion