i'm not sure exactly what is your point? America though is further ahead in its acceptance of other nationalities to its society, it doesn't mean that all Americans = white Americans. The mexicans still being treated as second-class so does the Chinese. I have asked a Brazilian why he emigrated to Australia rather then USA, he has told me people in American treat the South Americans as inferior but he doesn't feel the same in Australia thus has chosen this route. He's doing relatively well and integration with the Australian has not been a problem. FYI, one of the minister sitting in the Australian cabinet is a chinese Malaysian lady and is openly gay. I think Australia in many ways have make a good progress in the past 10 years being more open to other culture and international (thanks to the Howard gov..)
The Obama story is a overhype one. There's no rules govern that a black-African person can't be a president. Though this is the big step forward but it seems Obama being a 'black' president has often make more headlines then his true capability and competence. If not for the failure of George Bush government and millions of Americans desperately looking for a change, he would stand no chance. Also, let's put it this way Obama naturally is a charming and attractive man (and his georgeous wife), and he looks good on the camera - he would stand no chance if his skin colour is 3 times darker (those typical Kenya African man). Also, in the past decade African Americans have become mainstream and the Americans are getting use to their faces in the media ( thanks to the black American celebrities eg. Beyonce, Will Smith, Kanya West, Eddy Murphy ...the list goes on). In fact, the celebrities have helped a lot in his rally campaign thus in no time he has become a global face 'celebrity' because he's a black that breaks all the rules.
Personally I do not feel I have to give up my heritage just because I settle in another country as 'being a Singaporean' is not a shame. Singaporeans are always regarded highly along with the Hongkongers, or even the Japanese. We are in a way very 'different' to many of out South Eastern asians. This is something I would have to thank the Sg government. If someday I choose to give up my Singaporean citizenship I think our roots are still with Singapore, although physically we are living abroad and we are 'perceived' to be cultural fit to the Australian society.
So what if you are an American? Inside your heart can you say you have totally give up your roots, just like the millions of Mexicans, the Europeans, the Chinese, the indians?
