America is being 'dashed' to bits

On Dec. 16, the Daily Herald published a Fence Post letter under my name. But because of a change the Daily Herald made to my letter, what was published did not reflect my opinion.

Not only was my opinion misrepresented, but due to the change, the Daily Herald also ascribed a title to my Fence Post letter that bore no relation to the opinion I had tried to express.

My letter was published under the title, "Take pride in our American enthnicity." I ascribe to the philosophy that "pride goeth before the fall." The appropriate title, as submitted, should have been, "America is being 'dashed' to bits.'" I believe the old adage is going to prove itself true in America: United we stood, hyphenated we will fail.

Look around the world. How much strife and civil unrest is caused by ethnicity? Yet "ethnic pride" is now the cause celebre in America. Is our nationwide celebration of cultural diversity bringing us closer together as Americans or only dividing us more?

In submitting my original letter, I included this 1915 quote from Woodrow Wilson:

"A man who thinks of himself as belonging to a particular national group in America has not yet become an American. And the man who goes among you to trade upon your nationality is no worthy son to live under the Stars and Stripes."

There are many individuals, organizations and institutions today that need to examine their worthiness to march under the Stars and Stripes.

Richard H. Skiba Jr.

Palatine