I didn’t earn my citizenship status. I didn’t win a beauty contest, quiz bowl, athletic event or even a lottery to gain it. It happened for me because my American born parents built a family from love and I’m blessed to be a part of it.

But my parents’ grandparents came from other countries to this land and they could relate well to the 1,000 immigrants from 112 countries pressed solemnly around a stage during the new $221 million Raleigh Convention Center ribbon cutting event Sept. 5. Officials held a naturalization ceremony as a part of the celebration.

Now, there was an achievement well earned.

The new citizens could have shared a thousand different stories about their journeys. By now, they probably could share a thousand stories about how their new status has not eliminated the discrimination they feel from Americans who were born here — who did nothing to earn their citizenship but who rest in the privilege and resent others who seek the opportunity.

I talked randomly with anxious people getting their paperwork from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Neeraj came from India for school at Clemson and is now a CPA with an MBA in the USA. Both he and his wife, Shree, took the oath.

Solemnly with feelings from deep within, and not just the emotions of the moment, new citizens took their oaths as behind them, a grand international festival was being held, with booths from all over the world.

The new Convention Center is a marvel. It is, as U.S. Representative Brad Miller said, “splendid but unassuming.” It is airy and light, while substantial and efficient.

It’s a shame the 2008 Baptist State Convention will not be held here, as originally approved in 2006. Seventeen other conventions will enjoy the facility in its first nine weeks of operation, but messengers in 2007 were persuaded the new facility “might not be ready.” It would have been a great opportunity for North Carolina Baptists to flood their capital city in an atmosphere of fresh excitement.

When Baptists dared to be one of the first groups to verbally commit to meeting at the new site, it was a great affirmation to Raleigh planners. Our theme this year will reflect the BSC motto: “Caring, Sharing, Daring.” Because we later flinched on the “daring” part, we won’t be able to display up close in the capital city the ways North Carolina Baptists care and share.

It’s a shame for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that by the time the contract to host the annual session comes around again in 2012, our meetings will be too small to require a facility of that size.