What is a Real American?

My grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Poland and Russia. My wife Helene was born in Germany to Polish Holocaust survivors. We are real Americans. Call me a Brie-eating, Chardonnay-drinking liberal but my iconic food is actually the jalapeno cheese bagel.

My son Adam is a real American. His late mother, Barbara, was Scotch/Irish/German and American born. His wife Su-Yun is certainly a real American. She, unlike my wife, was born here. Unlike the Jonathans, Lindas and Isaiahs all around, people ask her if she has an "American name." What could this mean? Are only English names American? Su-Yun is as American as Susan, Sarah or Sylvia. Juan, Sean, Ivan and Hanan all have equal claim with John.

We Americans are a mighty gumbo of peoples, cultures and ideas. My family is Democratic, Republican, tall, short, gay and straight. Cousin Richard married Fera, an Iranian Muslim, and their daughter Linda is a real American. Cousin Nancy's son, Isaiah, is half white, half black, Jewish and All American. My granddaughters Roxie and Iris are Asian, Caucasian and Semitic. They are Americans. We rejoice that we are enriched by our differences. We are real Americans, united but thank God, not the same.