The people that arrive to America, for the most part, share the same hopes and dreams. However, differing ethnicities, backgrounds, and customs of the already inhabiters and the new oncoming people to America are refraining from accepting one another's beliefs and customs. Thus,the concept of unity has been undermined because of pride, and our co-existence is accepted by tolerance and nothing more. As opposed to other countries that have created divisions with new names, we have patriotism that has allowed us to all come together, accepting each other, and be considered of the American nationality .
Quindlen starts off by stating that America is a nation of "everchanging disparate parts, held by one notion." Quindlen points out throughout the essay that America (the nation) was established by different bits and pieces. Everyone comes from different nationalities at some point or another and are bound to disagree and think that they are superior to any other race. With all the diversity in the U.S., it is very difficult to isolate everyone and unify them. There are constant clashes, and I think what Quindlen is trying to illustrate is how we are in such discordances with one another when we all believe in one notion, and that notion is to be equal. The solution is patriotism, that instead allows us to be open and accept all, differences set aside.
