HispanicVista Columnists

Fourth of July More Than Fireworks – Patriotism

By Domingo Ivan  Casañas/HispanicVista.com

July 4, 2005

 

Today being the Patriotic Hispanic American I am, I will probably create some additional fireworks for those of you that will not agree with some of my personal views.  I am well aware that I cannot please all my readers…but when it comes to this great Country, as a Latino I feel compelled to give you some insight as a Hispanic American.

The Fourth of July celebration will start, along with the parades and fireworks.  The spirit of the Declaration lives on, because in this land of opportunity and freedom a group of men pledge their lives and sacred honor and set off on a voyage of self-government and liberty 225 years ago.  We must not forget what it is all about and the meaning behind it.

For Hispanic Americans who have left their homeland to be in this  country, after seeing so many injustices in their homeland such as: loss of  freedom including religious freedoms, loss of lives of friends and relatives, and lets not forget at times even the loss of once dignity we are thankful.    The majority of Hispanic Americans are proud to be Americans and grateful that this Country opened their arms to give us back what we once lost.  We are also proud that   Latinos are the most decorated ethnic group in the following wars, World War II, Vietnam and Korean.

There are so many Historic documents that give us our true freedom today.  In a matter of fact, the Magna Carta, written in 1215 in order to try to convince King John of England to give the people certain rights is generally considered to be the touchstone of liberty.  Documents such as the Mayflower Compact, The Constitution of the U.S., George Washington’s Farewell address, the Star Spangled Banner, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Declaration of Independence are the pieces of history upon which our nation was founded, and within which our current liberty is rooted. 

I have a passion for the ideas and the lives of American’s founders, as well as a deep appreciation for the inspirational power of words.  I might be considered a minority within my own minority Hispanic group because of my Conservative views.  In my heart I know I am blessed to be living in a Country that is so full of opportunities.  I see a Country full of people who know how to seize opportunity, and who have every expectation of solving the problems that can come our way.  I have heard it called the “can do” spirit.

I have been accused of not knowing the Latino struggles, and of course my fair skin has been brought up also all I can say is “yes I do know what it means to be a Latino.”  My color can’t revoke my culture and I am proud to be a Latino.  I think that the biggest difference is that I have not subscribed myself to the liberal mentality that tells most of the minority groups that this Country is inherently unfair, racist, sexist, homophobic and oppressive. 

What is in me is a positive and optimistic upbringing of anticipating any challenges with vigor and enthusiasm and seeing them as an opportunity.  Americans that live within their self-imposed limits will forever live with the barriers of their own restricted vision.  Setting goals and hard work is what works not welfare handouts.  Even after decades of liberalism in the schools, media, major cultural institutions in this country where liberals have been actively promoting their agenda.  It is nice to see that America overall remains conservative.  Optimism is infectious because with your success rooted in your optimism, will inspire and motivate those around you.  For liberals the problem is always Capitalism; and the solution is always Socialism; I say, “the problem is in the mindset of the person and the solution is knowing that YES! You Can”.   

The promise of America is Freedom.  Everything descends from that, and freedom descends from God.  I think it is a crying shame to see Americans take their freedoms for granted.  And for those that do and are even willing to burn our American Flag; I would urge them to flee, please trade places with my relatives in Cuba.  It is Freedom that makes this Country great, “don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” 

As we celebrate our Independence on Wednesday July 4^th  there is no more profound sentence in the Declaration of Independence than this:  “ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness…”  I thank our American Founders for our freedom today, tested by blood and watered with tears.   As a proud Hispanic American I finish by saying “May God Continue to Bless the United States of America.”  HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

________________________________________________________

Domingo Ivan Casañas is a Contributing Columnist for HispanicVista.Com (http://www.hispanicvista.com/).  Domingo was born in Cuba and is a Proud United States of America Citizen.  Domingo is the Author of: CUBA THE TARNISHED PEARL, you may read excerpts of his book at: http://www.cubanbook.com/ You may email Domingo at: LatinoAchievers@aol.com  Domingo also writes Faith Page articles and is available for speaking engagements. 

                    CUBA: The Tarnished Pearl

                                  By Domingo Ivan Casañas

                    

Bookman Publishing & Marketing is proud to introduce, Cuba: The Tarnished Pearl, written by Domingo Ivan Casañas.

 Experience firsthand the story of a family’s struggle to escape the rule of Fidel Castro in Cuba.  Not only is Cuba: The Tarnished Pearl a tale of a flight to freedom, but also a historical account of Cuba before and during Castro’s reign, The Bay of Pigs and much more.  This book highlights the true story and real facts about how Communism has failed in Cuba.

 Cuba: The Tarnished Pearl also includes the memoirs of the author’s father that were kept in a journal beginning in 1917 and ending in 1976.  This provides eye-opening insight into the personal thoughts and feelings of a man who endured so much pain and hardship.  Cuba: The Tarnished Pearl is a must-read for those seeking truth through history.

 Domingo Ivan Casañas is currently a column writer for HispanicVista.com and several local newspapers in his hometown Antioch, California.  He is an American citizen and a proud single father of three.  Cuba: The Tarnished Pearl is his first published book but definitely not his last.

For more information on purchasing this title and excerpts please click on: WWW.CUBANBOOK.COM  or Write to: ASM P O BOX 8427 PITTSBURG, CA 94565

DOMINGO IS AVAILABLE FOR: INTERVIEWS, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND BOOK SIGNINGS….

Domingo offers his readers a special discount with a signed copy of his book. Contact Domingo directly for this opportunity.