DADS READ: “I AM A CAT” by Galia Bernstein

JER: “I AM A CAT” by Galia Bernstein seems very relevant for today, July 4th - American Independence Day, and it feels like an opportune way to discuss what it means to be “American”.

The story is all about a domestic house cat, named Simon, who is trying to convince a group of large, wild cats that they are all part of the same big “cat family”.  The lion argues that Simon can’t be a “cat”, because lions are cats and have a mane and a tuft at the end if their tail.  Cheetah argues that cats are graceful creatures who run faster than all the other animals.  Puma argues that cats live in the mountains, leap far, jump high, and act tough.  Panther argues that cats are black and live in the Jungle.  Tiger argues that cats are very strong and very, very orange.  But Simon is able to show the large, wild cats that each of their arguments are unique to them, and they actually have a lot in common, like small, perky ears, flat noses, long whiskers, long tails, sharp teeth, sharp claws, and eyes that can see in the dark.  Just like that, all of the big wild cats realize that Simon is CAT, too!!!

This book spoke to me today, as I have been thinking about what it means to be “American”.  Do you have to be born within the geographic borders of the United States?  If so, the founding fathers weren’t “American”.   Do you need to have ancestors from certain countries?  Do you need to have several generations of ancestors that were American citizens?  Or is America great because anyone can choose to become “American”?  Is it about being part of a certain religion or the fact that we enjoy the freedom of religion?  Is it about owning certain guns or weapons?  Is it about having a certain viewpoint?  

My father was born in Denmark, and emigrated to the United States when he was 18 years old.  I am grateful to be an American.  I am grateful to live in a nation that guarantees safety and freedoms to most of its citizens, and it holds out the aspiration to give safety and freedom to everyone in the world.  We may not all agree on how to accomplish that, but O am grateful we live in a place where the conversation can happen, and the opportunities are available.