Trans-national America

“Against the thinly disguised panic which calls itself ‘patriotism’ and the thinly disguised militarism which calls itself ‘preparedness’ the cosmopolitan ideal is set.  This does not mean that those who hold it are for a policy of drift.  They, too, long passionately for an integrated and disciplined America.  But they do not want one which is integrated only for domestic economic exploitation of the workers or for predatory economic imperialism among the weaker peoples.  They do not want one that is integrated by coercion or militarism, or for the truculent assertion of a medieval code of honor and of doubtful rights.  They believe that the most effective integration will be one which coordinates the diverse elements and turns them consciously toward working out together the placed of America in the world-situation.  They demand for integration a genuine integrity, a wholeness and soundness of enthusiasm and purpose which can only come when no national colony within our America feels that it is being discriminated against or that its cultural case is being prejudiced.  This strength of cooperation, this feeling that all who are here may have a hand in the destiny of America, will make for a finer spirit of integration than any narrow “Americanism” or forced chauvinism.” (pages 12-13)

The cosmopolitan ideal discussed in the article did not make me think of a time gone by, it speaks to many of the issues and concerns of modern-day America.  When Bourne writes about the thinly disguised panics which calls itself ‘patriotism’ and the thinly disguise militarism which calls itself ‘preparedness’, I immediately think of the republican front-runner in the 2016 Presidential Campaign, Donald Trump.  The use of coded language and exploitation of people’s fear is all too familiar.  As the author goes on about the desire for ‘discipline’ and ‘integrity’, I’m reminded of Mr. Trump’s campaign slogan “Make America Great Again”.

The best sentence states, in part, “The most effective integration will be one which coordinated the diverse elements and turns them consciously toward working out together the place of America in the world-situation.”  I think this most accurately conveys the promise of America.

As previously stated, I believe the paragraph quoted accurately captures what is important in the sometimes rambling, and for-academic-use-only, publication of Mr. Randolph S. Bourne.  As a man of color, I find it very interesting how dismissive the author is regarding the place for those who look like me in ‘trans-national America’.  However, amid my moments of reflection, I am forced to acknowledge that Colonialization and the American experience are, in many ways, one in the same.  The European people and culture have tremendously effected the shaping of modern-day America.  There are definite values and codes of demeanor that dictates the success or failure of any person immigrating; no one can deny how much influence European etiquette continues to wield.  The question becomes, therefore, are we any more than a knock-off copy of something great?  No.  Actually, we are what is best in the world.  We have co-opted from many great cultures, including African- thou not really acknowledged- and arrived at a place far short of perfection, but greatly desired, admired, and envied by peoples the world over.