"We decry violence all the time in this country, but look at our history. We were born in a violent revolution, and we've been in wars ever since. We're not a pacific people"

This quote by James Lee Burke is a reflection on the paradox of American culture. We often decry violence, yet our history has lots of it. We were born out of a violent transformation, and since then we have actually been involved in various wars. This quote recommends that in spite of our aversion to violence, it is deeply deep-rooted in our culture and our history. It indicates that we are not a tranquil people, and that violence belongs of our identity. This quote functions as a pointer that although we might pursue peace, violence belongs of our history and our culture.