I love the US, and I find most Americans to be friendly and open people. I can honestly say that Americans - as a cultural whole - are probably nicer to strangers than any of the European countries I have been to. And I like American naivit� and wide-eyedness and optimism and desire to excel and dedication. I embrace the majority of American ideology. I believe in it, and I think that America is an "experiment" that is working, and has the potential to continue working in the future. I am proud to be an American, despite our embarrasing tendency to wear white socks, to talk too loudly, and to generally have little understanding of other languages and cultures. Sure, I like it. But I don't hate everyone else.
I read a post that blew my mind today. Not in a good way. (I found it via a link from Sherry over at barefootwithchocolate.) Go have a look. If you can't read the whole thing (it's long), read a few sections and skim some of the comments at the end.
So the first story is good - it's a personal anecdote that is cute and well-told. But then everything turns political and patriotic and I want to put my head under my pillow. Maybe I will just never understand the writer - Bill's - and so many other Americans' burning need to not only be patriotic, but to flaunt this patriotism in the face of other individuals. To run to every hilltop, draped in the American flag and drenched from the brainwashing of the American media to simply cry out "America is the best!" as if other Americans hadn't had a few decades to formulate their own educated opinion on the matter.
I just don't understand it. Maybe America is the best. And maybe other countries are jealous of that. That's entirely possible. But why are we so insistent on pointing this out at every opportunity?
And maybe America isn't the best. Every country has its high and low points. Every country is fucked up and backwards and every country has something beautiful within its borders. Who's to decide what is best? Isn't that a matter of personal experience, opinions, and beliefs?
In athletics, he who wins and flaunts his victory suffers an embarrasing defeat eventually. A tragic flaw. And everyone loves to watch him fall. The end of greatness. Conversely, he who accepts his victory graciously and compliments the competition deserves all respect. There is something to be said about poise and elegance, as well as a casual acceptance of ones superiority. Bill's post is entitled "Confidence." It feels like it is 3,000 frenzied words proclaiming the value of American confidence. Why, especially in today's climate of American pride bumper stickers and United We Stand posters, do we need to reiterate how confident America is? Or is all of this hub-jub just trying to cover up some deeper anxiety that we are ashamed to admit is brewing?
On a personal level, if anything, I think America's jingoistic claims are what have brought on so much of the anti-Americanism that surrounds ME every day. Maybe Americans who have never left their soil are untouched by this. Maybe those that consider a trip to the Caribbean as their "cultural" trip outside the US - where American-built resorts line the sandy beaches and local workers are exploited for pennies - can walk around and think that American cultural hegemony infiltrating other, older, simply different cultures is a good thing. Maybe.
Bill seems to think so:
But imagine a landscape where, let us say, France had the same cultural impact on our shores: McDonald�s being bought and replaced by Le [sic] Baguette restaurants on every corner, long lines around the multiplex to see Jules et Jim 2000, French troop transports idling down Interstate10 in long convoys, French fighters flying to and from French air bases set out in the middle of former farmland, television filled with dubbed French sitcoms named Mon Dieu! and Les Amis, and everywhere on the news nothing but reports of what the French government was doing and how it was going to affect us.
Am I supposed to think this is a good thing? That America is culturally taking over the world? I despise seeing a McDonalds on every corner. I hate that American television has become the rule and not the exception throughout so much of the world. And the fact that everyone reports on American events while the inverse does not happen troubles me: Americans don't ever care to report on the rest of the planet's politics unless it directly involves the US - with few exceptions. Is it surprising that so few Americans know anything about the world political leaders?
Quick quiz, no peaking on Google: George Bush met with the president of Spain last week. What's his name?
This should be easy because he was just on C-Span for hours. On American TV meeting with the American president. This should be very, very easy.
So, I'm 23. I'll bet $100 that nine out of ten 23-year-old Americans wouldn't know the answer. Why would they? American media is self-entered, and thus American views of America's role in world events often are as well.
And THAT is precisely why I fear such "patriotic" talk from people like Bill. He might have good points. Here and there, he makes his case. He might also arbitrarily throw out words like "Islamic terrorism" without considering that linking a peaceful religion and the entire civilization united under it to terrorism is insulting to millions (my journalism professor once said rather eloquently that he refused to use the word terrorist: if remaining entirely objective, one person's terrorist could be another person's freedom fighter. The journalist must remain neutral. I would like to see how some Americans might react to being called terrorists for few misplaced missles; could we call that Christian terrorism by extension, considering how often God and religion come up in our current president's speeches?)
I think I am just exasperated. I understand this need for Americans to affirm and reaffirm their cause in entering into this war. Sort of. And I can even say that I understand how in this post-9/11 frenzy, to not be a flag-waving, "Star-Spangled-Banner"-singing, propaganda-spewing patriotic robot can make you into a traitor. In a way.
I just think it's dangerous. The world is huge. Rich and beautiful and wonderful in all its diversity. And the more I read of posts like Bill's, the more I sense a claustrophic fear of others, a ringing hatred of anyone not American - including some of our closest European allies! - and a closed-mindedness that shows that the American rights of freedom of thought and expression are being suffocated from within. From within.
I still love America. I just can't believe what I hear coming out of some Americans' mouths these days. Honestly, from what I see or read, we're sounding like a bunch of backwards hicks who have never left their confined, albeit beautiful and respectable, community. And I'm worried.
That doesn't make me any less patriotic or any less American.
Like Lisa Stansfield said " I've been around the world" and thus have experienced the joy and sorrow ofmany countries. All in all, I would rather be in America but that does not prohibit me from enjoying other cultures, respecting them, and understanding that they to have a place in the world.
I must admit the USA of today is but a shadow of the one I saw growing up. I tire quickly of sound bites, jejune discussions among experts, and hype.
Yet I have served my country and would do so again.
People fear what they do not know. Thus, some of the patriotic talk is coming from political hacks who don't understand what war is, or feels like. This talk feeds the flame.
I agree in principle with you Lee, but some may not. They do nothave the value of living in another country and understanding that people matter, politics be damned. You are very wise for your age and very fortunate. You have seen what many will never see: that the world has much more in common than most people think. Humanity.
I agree with you, Lee, but I do have to say that it feels different lately, living here. People are afraid. The war is everywhere, or war-talk, or anti-war talk. People have stopped speaking to old friends because their views on the potential war differ, even slightly. People are going to protests, wearing colors to coordinate with (or to protest) the high alert situation. People are afraid. I think that people like Bill sometimes are protesting too loudly, you know? They need it to be true, and they think that if they just say it louder, it will be. If he says "America is best!" in enough different, emphatic ways, then maybe his family will stay safe.
My uncle is being shipped out now, and so is my aunt. It's hitting close to home. And it's terrifying.
If it weren't so real, there wouldn't have been such a run on duct tape and porous plastic. It isn't about not being able to appreciate the value of other countries - it's all about fear right now, and it's everywhere. And the bigger the US city, the greater the fear - and that is even more frightening for some people - if some place like NYC can be taken down, what's to stop them from hitting Chicago with biological weapons? Cities are supposed to be safer - better access to health care, to protection - more invested in keeping them safe - and it isn't true anymore.
I had a friend tell me recently that she'd love to come visit me (from the UK) but she would have to wait until "after the war" to do it, as otherwise her parents would worry too much. That shook me.
Wow - those were both great comments. Thank you.
To Jay - I'm still torn on where I would rather live. I think there are great things about the US and great things about France (and other countries, too, of course). I think I will just have to wait and see where I end up.
I am interested in knowing how you think the US has changed. Really really interested in it. All I have are John Steinbeck novels. And truth is usually more powerful (and strange) than fiction.
To Angel - I think the pulsing fear is normal. And I think it's a terrible, terrible thing. But I don't think that makes for an excuse to talk crazy talk. The problem might not *technically* be the inability to appreciate other countries, but I think the way the US is going about getting a coalition (or lack thereof) and the overall rhetoric of various voices in American political circles right now is upsetting EVERY other country. In war, a country needs allies. Even the United States. Ok, NEEDS might be a bit strong, but it is certainly in our best interest. During the first two World Wars, which Americans are constantly referenencing nowadays, the triumph of good over evil was only possible through a collaborative effort. I don't care how much we like to minimize the role of the French and British armies - lives were lost on all sides and victory was won by a united allied force. To dismiss other countries today before they even say the word 'veto' - and then resort to insulting them and only praising the US - is just bad diplomacy. This had nothing to do with fear - at least not when it comes to political leaders that should know better.
I hear you though, on that people think that if they just restate and restate "America is best!" than it will ring true. And hey, do that in the privacy of your own home or at a patriotic potluck. But just don't say it on international airwaves with taglines at the end of it insulting possible allies. Not only does it accomplish absolutely nothing, but it also sets a bad example for American citizens.
I also agree with you that the mood has changed. I've ben back four times in the last year and a half, and the difference is palpable. It's sad and scary.
Just imagine how sad and sary it would be if America had nothing but enemies.
Really, I'm just worried about the way we're carrying out our business. Couldn't we for once stop the name-calling, at least at a time when it matters so much?
I'm with you on the ally-alienating, and the name-calling, and all the rest of it.
I think of it like kids in jr high. The US is feeling bloated and insecure and nervous and so they're running around saying "France is a whore! The UK is a nerd! We're the best!" It's a front. That doesn't mean that it won't have serious consequences, though. All the taglines and posturing will hurt us, down the road, and I think most of us know it. That's where the other fear factor comes in.
Okay, I realize I'm way late on this--but I'm not sure I agree with you on your interpretation of Bill's words about the McDonalds. I don't think he's saying *celebrate* the fact that the US is homogenizing cities around the world. I think he's saying *wake up to it*. I think he's pointing out that Americans *don't* realize how US companies are influencing world culture.
To some extent, I think complaints are unfair. Why blame ME in Oregon because enough Frenchies buy Big Macs to make it profitable for MacDo to be there at all? If it weren't profitable to dub Friends and show it on TV, if no one watched it, would the Frenchies do it? So why blame *me*, or any American, for that matter?
When I was in Australia, I met a couple Brits who, when they found out I wasn't Canadian, immediately started railing against me for Jerry Springer.
Please note, that meant they *watched* it. I, however, do not.
About the patriotism thing? I've talked about this before--it scares me. But it's also the louder voice right now. I don't think the foreign press, or the domestic press, for that matter, is really talking about how many Americans DON'T want war. Every third house here has a sign in the window: "NO WAR", "ATTACK IRAQ? NOT IN MY NAME", "PEACEFUL RESOLUTION".
But that doesn't make the news, because it's not as loud, not as controversial, and not has singular. No one can point to it and say, "There. That's why we hate Americans."
Kari - did you read the whole article? I'm pretty sure he was saying they are good things. The whole article has that look-at-America-achievements ring to it. Read the whole article first - this quote is taken out of context and can therefore be misinterpreted.
I don't blame Americans for the fact that American culture is taking over, but I certainly don't see it as one of America's high points. I'm pretty sure Bill sees that as proof that America's the best.
And I'm sure every third house in PORTLAND says "No War" or whatever, but remember that Portland (and Oregon for that matter) is notoriously liberal. More Americans overall support the war than those that don't.
But I don't care that Americans want the war. What I do care about is that they are setting about saying so in the weirdest ways. This is in the paper and on the news here everyday. People love America - land of opportunity, etc - but they find the ME!ME!ME attitude of Americans obnoxious. And it's gotten FAR worse since this Dubya came waltzing into office in his cowboy boots.
wow...I read the intial email and not the rest unfortunatly but it is clear most issues are due to misunderstandings. I am a plain average american (poorer than most of you probably growing up) but I have worked my way up, tried to be good to all people I meet and understand thier differences. You are right we have it better here...not a bad thing...just what we worked hard for. Don't compare yourself to the USA but to what you want in life from yourself and other people. In the end you might arrive at the same things we strive for in the US. Europeans seem to be stuck in the middle ages of the cast system and believeing they cannot achive thier dreams....we do in the US. Don't hate us for that...in the end we all want the same thing...the ability to pusue our own happiness freely....our "declaration of independance" states it clearly.
I just wanted to clarify that I AM American, and that I don't hate Americans. I'm just living in Europe right now, and living here has made me totally reconsider my opinion on America.