to ALL, not just Graham. One of the facts that can reflect opinions and prejudices is that in the United States, almost ALL of us are immigrants. Along with our being a melting pot of many cultures, we really have a very limited one of our own. There are very few pure bred Native Americans. Just as today we are learning that there are very few pure bred of anything. People have been on the move since the beginning of time. Until the inherent worth and dignity of all humans becomes the standard that is universally embraced, there will be labeling, and the resulting stereotype generation, and prejudices expressed. Here in Massachusetts the "battle" of same sex marriage went a long way on the idea that the World would end when people started marrying within their gender. After three years, the World has not ended, the Earth has not crashed into the Sun, or any other predicted doom occur. As we are accepting each other on individual merits, the friendship grows. The very many diverse cultures that co-exist here in Boston, has made my kilt wearing a non issue, just as the dashkis, sarongs, kimonos, saris, and Native American regalia on many here are seen as cultural expression and nothing to fear. There are still an occasional comment, but most of those are by my friends in jest, usually inviting a retort from me and lots of laughter afterwards. A Star Trek convention here a number of years ago supplied much surprise to the riders of the public transit as the number of Darth Vaders per car on the subway was rather high. R2D2 was mistaken for the car operator several times... polite explanation goes a long away.
Our zeal for freedom of expression has made many conflicts come out into the open here, more than any where else on Earth. So yes - it is an American thing.
-- Steve, Proudly American, Scottish, Irish, Dutch, German, Balding, Old, Gay, Four-eyed, Weird, and anything else along the way.