A local Somali received a letter from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services this week with instructions on where to attend his naturalization ceremony. Thinking he would need to travel to the Federal Courthouse in Minneapolis, he did not readily believe what the letter told him to do. He went to the local Lutheran Social Service Refugee office seeking clarification. Yes, it was indeed true, he was told by a fellow Somali working in the office. The ceremony would be right here in Pelican Rapids, at 1:00 p.m. on Friday June 22nd. "They do that over in the park by the bridge." Those coming from Minneapolis to 56572 will find the park by the bridge in the middle of town between the two stoplights. When you see two American flags at the entrance to E.L.Peterson Park, turn right.
"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."
1 hour ago
10 comments:
Have never actually read the Oath of Citizenship before now. Notice it is in English. Noticed also "so help me God".
Have had reports from students that there are immigrant children who do not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in our school.
Have often wondered how some folk get their driver's license. Some very strange driving habits can be observed in 56572. Actually witnessed two young men who went to a local repair shop to get the brakes on their car replaced after an ice storm last fall. They explained to the mechanic (through and interpreter) that their car wouldn't stop at a stop sign earlier that day. The mechanic tried to explain about icey roads without success.
Oh, go lay down by your dish.
Most of the immigrants would have no problem with the words "So help me God" as the word God is an English version of the word "Allah" which is an Arabic version of the word "Yahweh" which is the Hebrew version, and the Hebrews were the first to Start the belief in this one God.
Somalis are largely Islamic
Hispanics are largely Christian
Both Groups seem to have pretty strong religious beliefs. . . The groups that are so hung up on the "so help me God" aspect of our national heritage are mostly Caucasians (white people) who are atheists or have another belief besides the one God of the Jewish, Islamic and Christian faiths. . . who are called, by the Muslims, “people of the book”.
As for standing for the pledge of allegiance. . .Kids in general don’t take the saying of the pledge of allegiance that seriously. Parents who are concerned about the patriotism of their kids should talk with them about the importance of the pledge of allegiance and instruct them on how to properly honor their country and flag.
As for the new immigrants not standing. . . I would guess that it is a lack of understanding of the meaning behind the pledge of allegiance. They are new and may not have been taught the rituals behind our customs. For these new arrivals I think it would be a good idea for the school district to have a small workshop type class with new immigrant students to teach them how to show the proper respects for the country they now reside as their parents probably are a little unsure themselves.
I will pass this idea on to the school district administration as I am employed at the 548.
I do think it is important to understand that many “born and raised” kids don’t give a very sincere effort to the pledge in the school setting. I for one have never talked with my kids about the importance of this aspect of being a citizen and maybe I now will.
So out of negative comments made at the beginning of this “post a comment section” maybe something positive will rise up.
As for drivers license. . . put a born and raised Texan on Minnesota roads in the winter and you would probably witness some “faulty breaks.” You won’t see very many Somalis drinking and driving, however, so that is a good thing.
Doug Bruggeman
Both sets of my grandparents immigrated from Norway.
I would guess that they did not have the savvy in landing in America. I am sure there were a lot of things they did that the anonymous comment would have found fault with and ridiculed.
How sad.
Have you ever tried to lend a hand instead of make fun of? Try it sometime. It would help your bitter biased attitude.
To the Anonymous Comment:
I would like to see you bring a camel to a screeching halt in a sandstorm. That would bring many a guffaw, I am sure.
Open up your heart Life is too short to have such negative views.
I attended the graduation ceremony on June 1st. My grandson was graduating, so that was a part of the reason for my emotional feelings.
I sat in front of a Hispanic family and a Somali family. When their family member graduated, there was this applause and pride that rang in my ears.
I thought, how blessed these graduates are. They got their chance.
The graduates' names in the program were different, yes, but what a wonderful, warm feeling I had for these fine individuals. Pelican Rapids should be so proud to have been a part of their lives.
To Anonymous June 13 7:37 AM:
As a person who grew up in PR and now lives in Fargo, ND, I have seen worse driving habits from my fellow "Americans" here than in PR. It's everywhere, not just in PR.
Hey! Instead of using tired old racial hate towards immigrants, embrace the cultures. Learn from it.
BTW... how does the moderator let a good story about how an immigrant legally gets their citizenship turn into a hate board?
No one owns this planet in the end we all die.
The only hate comment that I read was the first one. The rest were positive.
I don't believe the first comment was a "hate" comment but an observation.
In order to fully embrace another culture and help the local immigrants assimilate, I would suggest a committee be formed to raise money to buy land on the north and south side of Oak Hills as well as the open area in the center of Stoney Bar Estates and make lots available for trailer homes now that Hidden Acres is no longer available for affordable housing. This would be an opportune time as housing may become an issue with the new jobs at West Central. And the committee could underbid the local "slum lord" with the unsightly rental units in 56572.
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