I have continued
to watch classic movies as my release valve for stresses and strains that tend
to build up in our chaotic world.
Earlier
this past week I watched, “The Deer Hunter” [‘78], and now tonight, “The
Godfather” [‘72]. Both of these films, with
famous directors, open with marriage celebrations. The Deer Hunter group is Slavic, I like to
think of them as Ukrainian. They’re all
steel-workers, making $40 an hour, steady; and going to war for God and Country,
not as a job. The mafia group is Italian,
small business America. Life is good for
them too.
We ALL
like a wedding. These were both
portrayed as great weddings, fun weddings, for everyone. All America loves a fun wedding. As a movie device, these fun moments serve to
contrast the rest of those movies, which have rather nasty outcomes.
I relish
these immigrant traditional rites, and I’m sure I have room for many more. I think the sum total of all of these sorts
of traditions are what makes us American.
We are the giant melting pot, at least we used to brag about that.
I
understand that there are no more $80,000 a year jobs in steel mills, but
America is still the land of opportunity.
Make education a priority and give your kids a break.
Millions
of immigrants every year still think that America has a pot of gold waiting for
them.
I think
they are right.
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