How I Became American

I always knew I would become American one day. My German parents named me Tim when I was born -- not exactly a German name -- so they seemed to have a hunch, too. After passing the U.S. citizenship exam on Friday, my wife took me on a very special three-day civic orientation to Washington, D.C., where we had plenty of history lessons, mostly in the form of memorial-hopping on the Mall.

While I am not a big fan of memorials, the ones in D.C. are remarkable, with the only exception being the controversial World War II memorial, commissioned by the incumbent President: a triumphant, neo-classic exercise in architectural brutality. Der Spiegel quipped: it looks as if Hitler won. Indeed, the pompous parcours through quotes and territorial stakes is yelling at you but doesn't raise or answer any questions -- in stark contrast to the subtle, dialogic experience offered by the nearby Vietnam memorial.

The other memorials celebrate the uber-figures of the Republic: Thomas Jefferson (very tall), Abraham Lincoln (very big feet), and Franklin D. Roosevelt (in a wheel chair). The Roosevelt memorial, in particular, I found very moving: It is accessible and democratic in a sense that it provides a multi-sensual experience (hear the waterfalls, touch and feel the sculptures, read the famous words -- also displayed in Braille -- listen to parents explaining American virtues to their kids) for really everyone. The values upon which this nation was built are expressed with profound dignity and gravitas -- surprising for skeptical visitors like me who expected boisterous showmanship.

The D.C. Mall showcases America's unique talent of story-telling and celebrating its heroes and stars. McCain’s Britney/Paris Hilton celebrity-attack ads are therefore as out-of-touch with the reality of this country as they can possibly be. Why be defensive about a quality shared by the most revered U.S. presidents, from Theodore Roosevelt to Franklin D. Roosevelt, JFK to Bill Clinton? Charisma alone is not the answer to the many challenges America faces, but it takes the blank envy of someone who completely lacks any at all to dismiss it as a distraction. Celebrity is a necessary ingredient of inspirational leadership, and the ability to manage it is a vital skill for everyone serving in a public role.

To me, the native German, who grew up with American pop culture, America has always been the land of great narratives, the land of the cool, the land of spectacles, the land of celebrity. Mind you, John McCain, the U.S. is not Germany: excellence is rewarded, leadership is welcomed, and, yes, celebrity is part of the cultural DNA. Matt Bai's response ("The Case for Cool," in the recent NY Times Magazine) was overdue. Celebrity is good! Obama in Berlin reminded us of a fundamental truth by simply representing it: America is not only a superpower, it is a superstar. And it needs a superstar as president. When there's nothing left to cheer about (case in point: the past eight years), the U.S. will have fallen entirely from grace. It's the destiny of any moral leader: You're either a beacon or you're off the map.

D.C., with its meaningful celebrations of U.S. history, helped me appreciate what I am signing up for when I will take the oath of allegiance in a few weeks. The nation's capital demonstrates better than any other place how much of American power lies in the enormous appeal of its fundamental ideas, which are still intact despite so many of the "founding father's dreams" being in serious jeopardy under the current administration: Freedom, the rights to "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness." A nation happy to be happy. Ambitious, aspirational, welcoming, forward-looking, the U.S. struck me as the exact opposite of the Germany I grew up in. But growing up I also deeply despised American righteousness, imperialism, and consumerism. Nonetheless, my instinct was right: on 9/11 I felt great solidarity with the U.S. I arrived in L.A. for grad school in 2003 to see if my sentiment was more than just an initial reflex, but also to confirm my stereotypes, with just enough room left for surprises.

After five years of living in the U.S. as an observer, I am still surprised. I know a little bit more now about this country’s people and psyche, and my fascination (good and bad) with this country has actually grown. My biggest surprise is how lucky I've been to find my wife here. She epitomizes all the traits that indicate how great this country can be when it’s at its best: tolerance, optimism, worldliness, curiosity, pragmatism, and a deep sense of civic duty and community. Ever since I met her, my glass has been half full.

Having spent most of my life in a country that, because of its history, treats patriotism as an alarming launch pad for nationalism and suppresses any form of national pride as an outdated aberration in a post-nation state world, it feels good to abandon that cynicism and belong to a nation that has the courage to believe in it itself -- often too loudly and aggressively, but nonetheless, with pride. I guess I find this so appealing because I came of age in a culture of permanent identity crisis. Since the horror of the Hitler regime, Germany has tried very hard not to be anything ("Made in Germany" is a seal of quality, but "German" is still a curiosity), it is very gratifying to believe in something and be part of something. I finally understand the positive meaning of patriotism. Slowly but surely American culture, politics, and people have seeped into me, and my assimilation is reaching its preliminary formal peak. I am no longer just Americanized. I am American. The trip to D.C. was my crossing of the Rubicon, and I can now truly say what I have never been allowed to say in my country of birth: Yes, I am proud to be American.

The more I learn about the legacy of the U.S. Constitution and the more "American" (those quotation-marks will fall soon, too) I think and feel, the more I realize what is at stake in this upcoming election. The kernel of the American Dream may still be alive and kicking, the reality though is that this proud nation is on the decline, economically, socially, and morally. Obama is its last chance. Sorry, that pessimism is more German than American, let me rephrase: You can only imagine what a fantastic place the US would be again with a President Obama.

Comments

[fussball]

Gute Arbeit hier! Gute Inhalte.

[Mrs. Howard]

Contratulations on your new role as U.S. Citizen, Tim!

As a naturalized citizen myself (conceived in the USSR, born in Italy, raised and naturalized in the U.S.), I feel excited for you and your milestone reminds me of my family's own...

Almost daily I remind myself of the relatively young, experimental Republic I ended up living in (although post-Communist Ukraine would have been interesting too, in a different sort of way). America may not have the historical past of other nations, and may not even last as long, but that's part of the excitement of living here and participating.

So, is your theme song for the rest of the year Neil Diamond's, "Coming to America"? I hope so.

[Tim Leberecht]

Agreed, Germany has become a much more confident nation and deserves respect for restoring its moral integrity - the US still have a long way to go. I was not describing an "as is" America but one that I hope for. The fact though that Obama is a presidential candidate makes me optimistic.

[Liehr - Berlin]

You must been away from Germany/ Europe for quite some time.

Today Germany allows itself a happy patriotism and a self confident national stance.

This is respected and valued throughout the globe (see URL). Unlike the USA it has come to terms with its atrocities of past centuries while emphasizing its successful involvements.

Even Obama, if elected, will need years to restore the moral integrity of the country in the eyes of the world. You seem to live a Californian bubble dream. The America you describe does not exist for almost 8 years now.

[Yasmina Vinci]

Tim,

Welcome!

America is fortunate to have passionate, intelligent people like you (and Obama!) remind it of its roots and its possibilities. As a non-born-here citizen myself, I too feel strongly that my home of choice must deliver on the promises it offered to me and generations upon generations of immigrants.

And I also share your admiration and appreciation for your wife, having known her for a long time.

Looking forward to celebrating your citizenship next time we are in SFO.

Yasmina