IS THE PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH SYMBOLIC OF RACISM?

Sometimes you think that things just couldn't possibly get any worse in this country and then a news article comes out like the one on September 11, 2012 in Portland, Oregon in which a K-8 school principal, Verenice Gutierrez, declared that a peanut butter and jelly sandwich was racist and discriminated against minorities - that it was a sandwich of "white" people.  Are you freaking kidding me?

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Several comments to the article reflected people's frustration with the absurdity of associating a sandwich with racism.  In fact, many stated that they were speechless to say anything, that the idea was too preposterous to even deserve a comment.  I, too, thought that to give any attention to this lunacy would be to perpetuate the lunacy.  But after thinking about it for a few days I started to realize what the story was actually highlighting.  After all, what would be next?  Would apple pie be classified as being a racist symbol?  How about hot dogs and hamburgers or what about baseball, basketball and football?  Where will it end?

My first impulse was to think that this was just another reflection of the craziness of political correctness.  Are you beginning to notice that anything black, Hispanic, Muslim, gay, immoral and godless is considered to be politically correct and anything Christian, moral and American is considered to be politically incorrect?  So where does this article on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches fit in?

Well, it most certainly has nothing to do with racism.  In fact, the history of peanut butter goes back for centuries.  One of the first recordings of peanut butter is found in the Aztec history.  In 1880, George Washington Carver, an agricultural chemist and black American, discovered some 300 uses for peanuts, including peanut butter though he never patented his idea.  In 1884 the closest relationship to the peanut butter of today was patented in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  Today the United States and China are the two largest exporters of peanut butter.  So its origin and development had little to do with "white" people.  Nope - so what does a peanut butter and jelly sandwich represent?  It has become an "American" sandwich.  America is a hugely diversified nation of many, many different cultures, religions and national backgrounds.  The peanut butter and jelly sandwich is enjoyed by all these Americans.  What Principal Gutierrez, a Hispanic woman, is stating is not racism but rather is an attempt to silence, subjugate and belittle Americans in their own country.  It echoes anti-American sentiments.

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We are constantly being bombarded on nearly a daily basis that we need to be sensitive and respectful to people of other races and religions and, at the same time, Americans are not afforded the very same sensitivity and respect.  Not even in their own country.

America is a melting pot.  People originating from other lands may keep their traditions when they come to America but if they come, they must be willing to melt into our society and embrace the customs and traditions of this land.  That is why we are the "United" States of America and not the "Multi-Divided" States of America.  We are a united people with American customs, ideals, traditions and respect for all.  Do not entertain the idea that you can come into this country and shove your native land's customs, traditions and values in my face and then cry foul play when I enjoy my country's traditions, values and customs.  If you do not like America - GO HOME.  I'm sure you'll be much happier there.

If you love America - then become an American.  Adopt her values, her customs, her traditions.  Eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apple pie, hot dogs and hamburgers and sit back and relax while you watch a baseball, basketball or football game.

If Americans don't start taking a stand for America - one day, one day sooner than you think - you'll find she doesn't exist anymore and you are now a person without a country.  As for me - I think I'll go have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich right now.  A small act of being an American!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Politically incorrect,
Chris Broome