America the Beautiful

Today my post is fueled by thoughts I had while reading that many people were not proud of the "America the Beautiful" commercial that aired during the Super Bowl.  If you missed it here is the commercial also followed by my thoughts on it and the feedback:

Apparently people are upset because other languages are singing America the Beautiful.  I personally can not understand why.  I am half mexican and half white, full American and personally I loved this commercial.  I come from a southern state but due to my husbands career we have gotten the chance to travel and live in many different locations.  I've come to a conclusion about where I want to live when I start my family.  I want to live where everyone does not look the same, I want to see different faces and hear different languages and smell and eat different foods.  I want to make friends and learn new things from them as well.  I want my children to see different families.

I have been the kid that looks around the room only to realize they are the only person who looks different.  I've felt eyes on me because they can't figure out "what I am".  I've heard snide comments and I've been the "little mexican girl" but I only know a very small fraction of what others have gone through.  I am still baffled that acceptance is not a natural thing for others to do.  I understand we can not all be friends because personalities don't always get along.  But to disregard someone because of their race or sexual preference is something I can not comprehend.

I want to teach my children (when I have them someday) that the world isn't always the same and the beauty is in what's different.