[gopgen]

Is that the one with the broadway stars, all singing on Times Square? Oh wait, that's "I love New York theatre!"

[Katie_Colic]

Quote from the website that is advertised in the "I am an American" campaign:

Yet, throughout our history, too many Americans have been denied that basic right. Widespread reports of irregularities in the November 2000 elections -- that disproportionately disenfranchised minority voters -- make clear that this battle is not yet over."

I knew my instincts about this ad were right.

[NSpiritOnly]

Always remember, they are all actors. It is what they get paid to do and say!

My father (WWI vet) was a stunt man and his quote while alive was, "Believe nothing you hear, nothing you read and only half of what you see". The older I get the more I agree with him. You can not always tell the real thing from the stand in. With todays technology I am not even sure we can believe what we see.

[Jim Scott]

Have you seen this ad?

Yes.

What's your take on it?

Mixed reaction. I like the fact that there are no hyphens associated with the 'American' label and the message is reasonable; no matter your ancestors, we're all in this together and we're all Americans.
It can cut both ways; for those who consider themselves a 'hyphenated-American' it's a good reminder that when you (choose to) live in America, you're an American. Get with it.
For those who view anyone who is not Anglo-Saxon (white) as not 'really' American, it sends the message that, yes, 'those people' are also Americans. Get with it.

What I don't care for is the fact that my government feels the necessity of running such an ad.
We're not all white bigots and just because we're not white doesn't mean we're anti-American, either.
The ad can be seen as equally insulting or equally instructive. Take your pick.

[F16Fighter]

I too resent this ad.

The main thrust absurdly seems to be: "Don't hate me just because I'm not Caucasian."

[Peter Libra]

I have seen the advertisement often. I think that the situation even in Canada is worth mentioning. The clue is the voting pattern in the last American election. The red counties and the blue counties. We have a huge city-Toronto and those faces could justifiably fit- as Canadian. I live in a small city and it has predominantly European faces- new emigrants just dont settle in it,(no big paying jobs left).

It seems to me, and I travelled extensively in the Great Lakes Midwest area, there are two Americas. Happily for all, it is still a matter of choice if one wishes to live in one or the other. Many small cities simply reflect old turn of the century America. Big ones do not. Ad is not typical of what I know,but the one portrayed does indeed exist ie Detroit,Chicago, etc,not in the smaller ones.

[B Knotts]

I find the public service announcement (that's what it is; it's not really an advertisement) insulting and condescending.

But I feel that way about most public service announcements.

[Texas Mom]

Oh my goodness, It just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Isn't that what it's supposed to do? </sarcasm off>

[skr]

It's nice to hear them say "I am an American" without the hyphenation. Now if only that would become the norm.

[RightOnline]

It's ridiculously stupid. The fact that WASP males are shown.....let's see........once?......wasn't lost on me.

[savagesusie]

I've seen two different ones and the people do seem very proud to say they are American. They have people from European countries. I think the adds are ok and think there are a lot more offensive adds than those. I particularly like the plain old "American" without the hyphens!

[boxerblues]

I saw it too. Have to say Im sick of it, they show everything but a white boy there. Call me a bigot if you must but being an American has got nothing to do with race or color its PRIDE. Im second generation Italian but I dont go around with a hyphen in it. When my grandfather came here he denouced his old country and it was his intention become an "American" you know work hard, make money live the life that he thought was best for him. The American Dream now seems to be Im a hyphened whatever but dont you dare put down my old country cause its better than being just an American

[Republic of Texas]

More pc bs.

[lavaroise]

While it does convene a single family power balanced force that America should be, I do not think it was aimed that way. I have seen it and it misses the point of this great nation. Our ideal is not human life and diversity (unless we are Nazies obsessed with racial traits of people), our ideal is supposed to be liberty. We should be ready to sacrifice lives in times of war, not cherish them as liberty should be cherished instead.