I view the term "pure American" as another attempt to break down Americans into smaller groups. Claiming to be different than those "other Americans". I won't claim that.
"United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs."
Patrick Henry's Final Speech, March 4, 1799
http://www.patrickhenrycenter.com/Quotes.aspx
I view it as a legal reality based upon the circumstances of your birth.
Therefore, I see the "pure American" that you're reacting to as a legal description, standard and reality honoring history, the Law and its meaning and intent.
Your mom's water could have broken while waiting for the naturalization procedure to start and she could have given birth to you moments after your parents took the oath of citizenship and you would be a "Pure" American.
What else would you be???
Based upon the citizenship you inherited at your birth, it was all American and nothing else.
That's the LEGAL baptism of the melting pot. I washes your past citizenship away and gives you a fresh American identity (citizenship) and a fresh, clean start.
I honor that, am not ashamed of it and do not see it as divisive. Divisive? How could it be? It is what legally makes the Unum out of E pluribus.
Interesting to me that we seem to be using the same words but our understanding and emotional reactions to them are very different.
Thank you for helping me with my confusion!
That is a strange way of parsing it. Since the country has been founded these 3 categories have existed. The only reason for the natural born designation was to attempt protect the US from a President/Vice President with foreign allegiance. No better no worse no purer no more American. Just American citizen parents. Pretty hard to see it as elitist or divisive.