Educational Article:
As the founder and CEO of Whittier 360 News Network, it is my responsibility to address historical misconceptions with evidence-based insights. Recently, claims have surfaced arguing that America had no founders and that the concept of "Ethnic Americans" is a fallacy. This article aims to explore these assertions with a historical lens.
The Founders of America
The idea that America had no founders contradicts historical records and scholarly research. The United States was indeed founded by a population of individuals who played pivotal roles in the American War for Independence and the subsequent formation of the nation. The most famous founders, often referred to as the "Founding Fathers," include figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. But there were thousands of others such as Crispus Attucks, a pro Independence American patriot of mulatto (half Black and half Wampanoag) descent. Another was James Armstrong Lafayette who served as spy for the White Americans against the British. He remained enslaved during his service and his master refused to grant him freedom. It took an exclusively White US Congress who, with the assistance of General Lafayette (the one from France), to free this American patriot. They, among others, were instrumental in drafting foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, establishing the bedrock of American governance and philosophy. There was also an Indigenous American by the name of New River, the Chief of the Catawba tribe who was also an American patriot who supported American Independence. Not his actual name but easier for the Whites to pronounce. Under his leadership the Catawba nation fought along side White Americans for the Independence of America while most other Indigenous tribes opposed American Independence and were fighting to maintain British subjugation of America. People from Latin America including Mexico, as well from the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Pacific did not participate in the American War for Independence, the establishment of the United States, nor in the establishment of the US Constitution. This leads to the next section of this educational article.
The Concept of Ethnic Americans
The term "Ethnic Americans," as used in a historical context, refers exclusively to the descendants of those who lived in the colonies during the American Revolution and supported the cause of independence. This group has mixed ancestry from various mostly White European ethnic backgrounds who shared a common goal of forming a new, independent nation. Their descendants, having a lineage that traces back to this formative period of American history, embody a unique cultural and historical identity tied to the founding of the nation. The term does not include any of the immigrants who arrived centuries later from other parts of the world. Simply being born here or getting naturalized does not make you an Ethnic American. Ethnic American is an ethnic identity that is based exclusively on ancestry and heritage.
While the term "Ethnic American" is not explicitly mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, the document’s preamble refers to “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity...” Here, the word “posterity” is key. It implicitly acknowledges the descendants of the founding generation, which can be interpreted as a nod to Ethnic Americans. The phrase “We the People of the United States” referred exclusively to the people alive during that time who lived in the US and who supported both independence and the establishment of the United States and also supported the US Constitution. It does not refer to any alive today. Ethnic Americans are referred to under the terminology of posterity. This interpretation has even inspired the name of the organization American Posterity, highlighting the enduring legacy of the founders' descendants in the nation's legal and cultural framework.
The next section addresses how this impacts people from immigrant families.
The Constitution, Immigration, and the Role of States
The Constitution does not preclude the role of immigrants in American society. Rather, it provides a flexible framework allowing each generation to navigate immigration according to their interests and visions for national happiness and prosperity. Ethnic Americans understand this as a principle laid down by their ancestors.
The Constitution delineates the powers related to immigration between the states and the federal government. To the states, it grants the ability to regulate their borders and define the rights and privileges of foreign nationals within their jurisdiction. However, it’s crucial to note that the federal constitutional right of Due Process applies to all persons within the U.S., regardless of citizenship status.
On the other hand, the federal government holds the authority to establish naturalization laws and, in extreme cases, revoke citizenship for grave offenses such as acts of war against the U.S. or aiding its enemies. Ethnic Americans interpret these provisions as protective measures for the nation’s integrity and safety.
Language Policy
In the realm of language policy, Ethnic Americans advocate for the recognition of English as the exclusive founding language of the United States. They support a constitutional amendment to establish English as the official language of the U.S. This stance includes the proposition that all multilingual Americans should vote in English, with notable exceptions for senior citizens over the age of 65 and individuals with disabilities, recognizing the need for inclusivity and accessibility in these cases. However, it's important to note that Ethnic Americans strongly oppose any form of harassment or discrimination based on language in other aspects of life. They uphold the principle that individuals have the right to use the language they are most comfortable with in their personal communications and daily interactions. This perspective reflects a balance between honoring the historical linguistic heritage of the nation and respecting the linguistic diversity of its people.
Phenological Diversity:
Over the centuries Ethnic Americans have had a long history of intermarriage between natives and immigrants and between people of different races and ethnicities even when such mixing was explicitly illegal. As a result of this, while 99% of the Founding population was White, that is not the case today because of this history of intermarriage and intermixing. Today Ethnic Americans are as likely to look like non Whites as they are to look like Whites. The clue can found in their genes and in their family trees. For example, during the 20th century, White and Black Ethnic Americans intermarried with both Asians and with Hispanics. This means that some Asian Americans actually are Ethnic Americans and that some Hispanics also have Ethnic American heritage and are thus Ethnic American. Believe it or not but there even people with recent South Asian ancestry who also have Ethnic American heritage because one of their parents or grandparents had Ethnic American ancestry and this is due to intermarriage. Even some Jews and Arabs have Ethnic American ancestry due to mixing and intermarrying with the White Ethnic American natives of the US. Most of these people don’t look White. So identity as Ethnic American today is not and cannot be based on phenological traits such skin color, type of hair, eye color, or the shape of one’s face. If you can trace any of your ancestors to the American side of the American Revolution and to the establishment of the US and the ratification of the US Constitution, you are an Ethnic American. Like with the Indigenous Americans, there are those on the left who claim we as a distinct people are extinct. We are still here. We are your neighbors. We work next to. Our children are in the same class rooms as your own children. And you don’t even recognize who we are.
Ethnic Americans and Governance:
Ethnic Americans, contrary to some misconceptions, do not aspire to be the exclusive governors or lawmakers of the United States. They strongly believe in the principle of local sovereignty, advocating that communities should govern themselves. This belief extends to the idea that local governments and police departments should, as much as practical, reflect the demographics and perspectives of the communities they serve. The presence of a majority white police force in predominantly black communities, in the view of Ethnic Americans, signals a deeper societal issue related to disparities in education and job training opportunities. This situation underscores the failures of major government initiatives in recent decades and highlights the need for substantial efforts to address these systemic problems.
However, Ethnic Americans caution against using these challenges as a basis for pointing fingers or demonizing any racial group, including white people. They argue that such actions only perpetuate division, resentment, and hate, which are counterproductive to societal progress. Instead, they call for a balanced approach that acknowledges the complexities of these issues while working collaboratively across communities to find effective, inclusive solutions. This approach, they believe, is in line with the overarching principles of the U.S. Constitution, which sets limits on the powers of local and state governments while upholding the rights and liberties of all citizens.
Ethnic Americans and the Constitution:
Ethnic Americans, as descendants of those who were present during the founding of the United States, hold a unique relationship with the U.S. Constitution. They view themselves as directly linked to the framers' original intentions and ideals, believing this connection places them in a potentially advantageous position to interpret and understand the Constitution. We hold ourselves to be the only legitimate authorities for interpreting the US Constitution. This perspective is not born from a sense of exclusivity, but rather from a deep historical and cultural association with the document's creation and the founding principles of the nation. Ethnic Americans often point to the fact that a majority of Supreme Court Justices have Ethnic American ancestry as evidence of this unique interpretative lens. We have long fought to maintain this Supreme Court majority and will continue to strive to maintain our control of the US Supreme Court. Republicans don’t control the court. Ethnic Americans do. We do so not for our own benefits exclusively but to ensure fairness and equity in law for all citizens and all persons present on our soil. They argue that this lineage provides an intrinsic understanding of the Constitution, fostering interpretations that are closely aligned with the original context and intentions of the framers. This viewpoint underscores the significance they place on historical continuity and the preservation of the foundational values embedded within the Constitution.
Conclusion:
Claims that negate the existence of America's founders or the concept of Ethnic Americans overlook substantial historical evidence and narratives. The founders of America played undeniable roles in the nation's inception, and Ethnic Americans represent a lineage connected to this pivotal era. Understanding these aspects of American history is crucial in appreciating the diverse and complex tapestry that makes up the nation's past and identity.
While Ethnic Americans are not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, they are in fact the directly implied beneficiaries and stewards of the nation's founding principles. This view aligns with the belief that the founders intended to establish a nation that could adapt and evolve with each generation while maintaining its core values and identity.
As a news network committed to educational and thoughtful discourse, Whittier 360 News Network encourages readers to engage with these historical and constitutional nuances. Visit our website for more articles exploring the intricate tapestry of America's past and present. Whittier360newsnetwork.com
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