Anglo heritage can be claimed by all
The “Putting a little English on history” column by Roger Hernandez (May 17) is typical of some writers who have made a career of downgrading the English contribution to the formation of this nation while inflating that of the Spanish.
The settlements in Santa Fe and St. Augustine were not connected in any way with the founding of America. Our nation officially began in 1776.
Florida became part of our nation in 1845 and New Mexico entered the Union in 1912.
The Pilgrims in 1620, others coming to Massachusetts in 1629 and 1630 and more Englishmen and women who followed made up 80 percent of the European settlers here when we fought for our independence.
American citizens who bear Spanish surnames have every right to claim America’s great heritage as their own. Paul Revere (French), George Washington, John Adams, Patrick Henry, etc. (English), can be their heroes too. They do not need propagandists who distort history by making the cruel Spanish conquerors of Mexico and part of what is now the American Southwest into American pioneers.
Earl F. Dodge, Lakewood
Hernandez. That says it all.
Posted by Boomhauer on May 28, 2007 06:51 AMThank you. I for one am sick and tired of being blamed for everything. In this great country in 2007 if you are on the skids it is generally of your own making - white people had nothing to do with it. Stop whining and pull yourself up. No one is forcing you to start having children at 16 - unmarried. No one is forcing you to drop out of high school. No one is stopping you from going to college - Stanford may be out of your reach, but junior college is not - and, you can earn college dollars like my son and many other young people did by enlisting in the military.
Posted by P on May 28, 2007 09:07 AMWonderful letter! Our History has been so distorted by the illegal propaganda machine,I often wonder who am I?
I am an American! It doesn't matter to me where my ancestors came from. I am and always be proud to say , " I am an American! "
Posted by Can I get an AMEN! on May 28, 2007 10:19 AMYou got another Amen from me. Earl..great letter...thats what I've been saying. First..and foremost..We are 'Americans"!! from 'spanish' decent.
Posted by on May 28, 2007 11:03 AMdont know about you but I am not an American from spanish decent. My family came here from Sweden and learned the language to be part of America. My grandparents would not let anyone speak in Swede around the grandkids as we were now Americans and Americans speak english. sure is different now
Posted by fish on May 28, 2007 02:14 PMGreat letter
Why do so many people flock to this great country and once they're here, begin to tear it down. If you came here to escape the poverty of your former country, or the tyranny of your former country, or the religious persecution of your former country, that's understandable. Now do your part to assimilate into what makes this country great. Learn the language that Americans speak for starters. That would be English for those of you that don't know it.