Final Thoughts

Whatever the faults our ancestors had, they created a culture where there is little time or interest in laying open the wounds of the past and festering with them, especially if it means taking any time out from enjoying the pleasures of the here and now. At bottom, most of us know we still have it better here than our ancestors did, wherever they came from; and despite our four year cycles of: “If x or Y or Z gets elected, I’m leaving the country,” most of us stay right here.

I am reminded of what the former mayor of New York City, Edward Kock, said to the President of the Ukraine as they were There is so much that is good about remembering history – but there are bad things as well.

marching shoulder to shoulder up Broadway during the annual Ukrainian Day Parade.

It’s been widely acknowledged and widely condemned that Americans have very little knowledge of American history – not

“Mr. President,” Koch said to the Ukrainian through an interpreter. “One hundred years ago, your ancestors would be chasing to mention their genealogies - and almost no knowledge at all of the history beyond our borders. Our ignorance has been called a my ancestors up the street. Now, here in America, we we walk side by side up the street together.” The President of the Ukraine national embarrassment and an international disgrace, but it has had its benefits.

was insulted, the papers said. Koch could give a shit, and neither should we. The proof is in the pudding, Buster.

In even the most casual conversation with a semi-educated “foreigner,” it doesn’t take long before the non-American tries to In America, genealogy doesn’t make the man – despite the time and attention myself and millions of others have spent on it.

get the American to understand how terrible it is in their country because “those people” came from far away and stole everything In America - so far - you can reinvent yourself if you want to. You can change your name or your religion. You can buy a house they had. These pirouettes have crept into the American conversation from time to time, but we always seem to screw up the in another town. You can lie about your past. You can lie about your future. You allow yourself to look ahead because you do not details because we know so little about geography, or history, or much of anything other than pursuing our current pleasures, and have to look over your shoulder every minute. We’ve had a great run. So far.

making the money to do it.

Our ignorance may be deplorable, but it may also account for the ease and speed with which we absorb new immigrants.

Even our closest cousin, Canada, is different from us. As my Canadian cousin says: