The Erosion of American National Identity?

Columnist David Broder presents the argument that American identity is indeed dissolving:

Just in time for Independence Day, a conservative think tank has delivered a controversial report asking whether America's national identity is eroding under the pressure of population diversity and educational slackness. ...

And so, the Bradley scholars say, "knowing what America stands for is not a genetic inheritance. It must be learned, both by the next generation and by those who come to this country. In this way, a nation founded on an idea is inherently fragile." ...

When it comes to the treatment of immigrants, the Bradley team sees a real threat in such things as multilingual ballots and bilingual classes. Such accommodations to the growing diversity of the population could lead to "many Americas, or even no America at all," they maintain. "Historical ignorance, civic neglect and social fragmentation might achieve what a foreign invader could not."

But Broder dismisses these concerns. Why, he says, American institutions are as strong as ever. How does he justify his optimism? Because in 1974, the American political system was able to eject Richard Nixon. Case closed.

It's not that clear cut. Problem is, the country has been subjected to some mighty powerful forces since then, forces unleashed on the population by its ruling elites. Since 1970, the immigrant population has quadrupled, with Latin America and Asia supplying most of the increase -- a direct challenge to our European foundations. In 1974, "multiculturalism" was not the official culture of America. With the inevitable Balkanization of multiculturalism, various peoples are generating -- and feeling -- centrifugal forces away from the traditional American core.

You know it's true, and here's the latest evidence:

A jazz singer shocked some Denver residents after replacing the words to the national anthem with those of the "Black National Anthem" during the annual State of the City address this week.

Rene Marie was asked to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper delivered the annual address on Tuesday. Instead, she sang the lyrics of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" — a hymn commonly referred to as the "Black National Anthem" — to the tune of the national anthem, MyFOXColorado.com reported.

That's just one example, and we've all seen many others. More are on the way.