You’ve already heard this story, I’ll make it short… guy is getting persecuted for his religious beliefs in his home country. He has a wife and 2 daughters. Joins the Navy in order to get a scholarship so he can hopefully make a better life for them. Gets his education at Syracuse University. Brings family with. While here, puts in the work to become a US citizen. He does. Wife and daughters eventually do too. They live in a two bedroom apartment, shopping at Salvation Army, wife works at the hospital while he finishes his education. Gets a job. Buys a house. Makes a better life for his family. Girls get an education. Both get married, both have 2 kids. All 4 grandchildren get an education, then a job, get married, 6 great grandchildren and one on the way, all while being proud to call themselves Americans. All of them adding to what is our great country.
Here’s where it gets interesting….the religion he was being persecuted for was Christianity, Catholicism in particular (8% of the country). The country he took his family from to make a better life in America was Sri Lanka. He was Tamil (dark skinned), wife was Burgher (light skinned). They had accents (very British) their entire lives. Spoke English, but also spoke Sinhalese amongst themselves when they didn’t want the kids or grandkids to know what they were saying.
They came here for a better life, they got it. They assimilated and were productive members of society. They left a legacy of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They were Americans living the American dream. Because they were darker than the Europeans who have done the same, doesn’t make them any less American. And yes, I’m speaking of my wife’s family.
God bless America 🇺🇸