Some Perspective

Today I was thinking about how when I was in high school, some people would complain about how Hopewell lacked diversity. I'm not saying it was super diverse or anything but after being here for a while, I appreciate the diversity we have in the US a lot more. This occurred to me a week or so ago when I told someone I was part Italian. They said they thought I was American. Well, yes, I am American but everyone in the US has some other ethnic background. Few people simply say, I'm American. Most people say they are some combination of European countries or something like - which I guess accounts for the lack of diversity in Hopewell but at least we have interesting, unique backgrounds. Here, and especially where I am living now, everyone can only say, "I'm Vietnamese!" Nothing more. They have much, much, muchhhh less diversity than us.

So next time someone points out how not diverse Maine is, I will have to disagree. The whole US is wonderfully diverse even if there might be too many "white people" in your town for your liking. Aren't we supposed to look past race? Well how about looking past calling someone a "white person" and find out what their ethnic background is. Each person has their own customs and traditions whether their skin color is the same as their neighbor's or not.

Anyway, that was my ramblings for tonight. Feel free to disagree. I don't mean to sound like an uppity jackass but removing myself for the US has definitely changed my perspective. In a good way, I'd say! Just as moving out of New Jersey made me appreciate my hometown way more, leaving the country made me appreciate the US more! 'Merica!