For some years now, I have wondered about the use and meaning of this term "politically correct." It seems to be a phrase white men resort to when they get frustrated and have no better way to express themselves.In many instances, the term "politically correct" is what has come to be used as an expression of what used to be called "polite." As one who is legally blind, I don't give a rat's ass if someone calls me "disabled," or "challenged" or differently abled." The fact is, it makes a difference to some people, and I'll respect their wishes without resorting to the pejorative "politically correct." If a man who has darker skin than mine prefers to be called "Black" or "Afro-American" instead of Negro, I'll respect his wishes and not start grumbling about political correctness.
Why the gentleman would take the occasion of a magnificent performance by Mr. Ritzenhein to make some distinction between a "real" American" and what he would call a "foreign born national" is lost on me. My grandparents came to this country to seek a better life, much as Lagat, Khalid K, and for that matter, Leo Manzano did. No one called my grandparents "foreign born nationals" so far as I know. The facts here are simple: Ryan Hall was born in the United States and Khalid K was born in Morocco. Dathan Ritzenhien ran a superb race and advanced himself on the list ahead of every other American male marathon runner in history.
If an American expatriate takes up residence or citizenship elsewhere, that country might refer to him as a "foreign born national." Here in America, we consider ourselves a nation of immigrants. When someone from another country comes here and becomes a citizen, as Mr. Lagat and Mr. Khanouchi did, here is what we call them: Americans. Get used to it.