Former Eagles Member challenges the Definition of "American"

               Voice actress Ratana, who I know as Leonie in Fire Emblem; Three Houses and related media, touched on a subject that I feel is relevant on Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend.  She is of Pilipino descent, yet born and raised in the Midwest and a graduate of Michigan State, yet she is not considered “All-American” because of how she looks.  I specialize in music and making playlists and buying songs for certain times of year.  During Memorial Day, the 4^th of July, September 11^th and Veteran’s Day, I tend to play songs by artists that I consider “All-American.”  Until 5 years ago, when Don Felder released his song and album “American Rock and Roll” and the “America Salutes Guitar Players” albums started coming out, it was dominated by Billy Ray Cyrus, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sammy Hagar and Miley Cyrus.

 

              While each have contributed to patriotism and the shape of American music like “Some Gave All,” “Free Bird,” “I Can’t Drive 55” and “Party in the U.S.A.,” the imagery is cultivated that not only is “American Music” made by white people, they must either be conservative or non-critical of the Bushes and Reagans in politics.  When the 45^th President was elected, there seemed to be a continuing demand that “American music” lack any criticism, though he took simple prejudiced ignorance from lack of experience on the formers’ parts and weaponized it into brutal punishment, looking to set up mass incarcerations, the removal of the 1^st Amendment for non-Republicans and a culling unlike any since the westward expansion that wiped 1 billion Native Americans out of existence.  In fact, some reported he openly bragged of this intent to certain campaign dinners.

 

              Don Felder’s song suggested a broader America, with lyrics like “Oh, Mr. Hendrix, how high he can fly,” “Oh, how Santana can play,” “Welcome to the Jungle with Guns, Slash and Rose,” and “The Grunge Cantrell, Cornell and Vedder.”  All these artists, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Guns N Roses, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden/Audioslave/Temple of the Dog and Pearl Jam (and by association, Nirvana) were born and raised in America, we just don’t consider them “American” because they protested the established government and asked for peace, change and equality.  Honestly, if I were to present my original list, the Cyrus family would take immense flak because Miley is a pansexual and a feminist who has rocked out with Joan Jett and the Foo Fighters and they’d criticize Billy Ray for not forcing her into being their ideal Church girl, hoping she’d be a mirror of an ideal like Minnie Pearl or something.

 

              The point is, the definition of “American” needs to change, it needs to be more inclusive.  It isn’t going to happen overnight, nor is it going to be easy or perfect, but much like how I’m sick of the definition of “Christian” being Kirk Cameron and Duck Dynasty, I’m sick of the definition of American being Johnny Van Zant, Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump.  Those five create a religious/patriotic cult that demands perfectionism, scaring people into trying to be ideals they often cannot reach and making them think God will smite them or punish them with misfortune, making them afraid to live.  I spent ten years among such people who made me scared to live, go out and express myself, then 45 got elected and only now can I finally try to pry that octopus-like hold off my brain.  I have to, because they’re talking radically violent language and I can’t afford to be scared anymore.