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#180: dual citizenship:Carey responds to Bellegarde-Smith comments
From: Henry F. Chip Carey <polhfc@langate.gsu.edu>
I respectfully disagree with several of Patrick's points from two months
ago. First, the US does recognize dual citizenship, since the Supreme
Court decision permitting multiple passports. Secondly,his definition
of being American (of the USA, not the hemisphere) ignores the US
tradition of civic nationalism, that distinguishes this country from
most, which holds that everyone is an American who is a citizen, and is
entitled to equal rights. Haitian-born Americans would not be able to
protest the treatment of Abner Louima, and he would not have standing in
his civil suit. Yes, Haitian-born Americans have a distinct culture, but
to be an American citizen means to have legal rights all the same.
Third, Haitian-born Americans have become a political force. US foreign
policy has been heavily influenced by many Americans from Haiti, who
were not born here. Had it not been for the influence of
Haitian-Americans on Bill Clinton, Aristide would never have been
restored to power. Finally, the President of Guyana is not a right-wing
American in a right-wing state.
The moral of the story is that the social and the legal are inter-twined
with political consequences.
******************
Henry F. (Chip) Carey
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA 30303
tel: 404-651-4845
fax: 404-651-1434