Americans

The letter from Henry Sakaida “No, I am an American,” (July 22) (regarding hyphenated Americans) remind me of the first time I was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July, 1947.

The day was cold and I had a sweater under my jacket like a lot Englishmen do.

A young Argentine came up to me and asked if I was English, whereupon I said, “No, I am an American.” He look at me kind of funny and said, “No, you’re not American but I am an American.”

I was confused and didn’t know what to say. Then the young man continued, saying that all North Americans think they are the only Americans. He said, “You are a North American and I am a South American.” I said, “Gee, you are right. You are an American.”

But today I think he would have to say that he was Latino, Argentine, South American.

ROBERT E. FALL SR.

San Pedro