What exactly does it take to be considered an American from your perspective?
Making an actual effort to behave like one, and become a contributing member of our society.
If a person moves to a foreign country, but continues to behave exactly as they did in their old homeland (even to the point of failing to learn the local language), they are clearly doing something wrong. It is basically an indicator showing that they have no real interest in becoming a member of their new nation's community, but are rather simply there for their own selfish gain.
Unless they have something else we need (money, knowledge, valuable skills, etca), those kinds of people simply are not the type we need around.
No one is required to speak english to become a citizen and once they do become a citizen they have just as much right to sing that song in any tongue they choose and they are every bit the American as you are.
Some degree of proficiency in the English language should
absolutely be required for citizenship. Immigrants who cannot communicate in the language used by roughly 99% of a given nation's population are of no use to anyone, and will likely only be a burden.
I would think, as an American, you would take pride in what was on display through that rendition of the song. Inclusiveness, tolerance, freedom.
Seems like you are reading an awful lot into something pretty innocent and actually pretty lovely.
I've got no problem with diversity. I've also already stated that I did not find the commercial to be wholly objectionable.
It's heart was in the right place. It's "multicultural" ideological focus was simply fundamentally flawed.
The simple fact of the matter is that "Americaness" should trump all other ethnic considerations when a person chooses to settle in our country. If a person is not willing to make this sacrifice, they really have no business being here in the first place.
That position clearly was not the idea the commercial was advocating in its message. Rather, it was suggesting that common culture and identity did not matter, so long as some loose sense of patriotism was maintained.
This idea is counter-productive, unrealistic, and ultimately destructive. That is exactly why I was uncomfortable with the ad in question.