| Subject: Re: Digression of the topic: Living in America |
Author:
Heather
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Date Posted: 22:10:01 06/29/05 Wed
In reply to:
Katie
's message, "Digression of the topic: Living in America" on 21:44:44 06/29/05 Wed
I am going to repeat to you guys what I told Katie. "I love being American, I hate what American means." I don't like feeling like I have to hide where I was born because of what my ancestors may or may not have done. I don't like that when foreigners hear the word American they associate the words obese, selfish, rude, bullying, intolerant, and judgemental. Not all Americans are these things but it's what the world sees. That's partially our fault, but it's also the fault of people who will continue these stereotypes.
I have long believed that stereotypes come about for a reason. If there weren't a large portion of blacks who listened to and produced rap music, we wouldn't associate these things with them. Does that mean that every black person you see listens to rap music? No, it doesn't. Does it mean that a majority of black people listen to rap music? No, it doesn't. It just means that what people see in the media tells them that black=rap. Makes life easier to put labels on things doesn't it? Yeah, that's what the rest of the worls thinks to. So when they see a large portion of Americans who are obese, and selfish, and uncaring, what are they supposed to think? That doesn't mean that everyone who is American is a jerk.
It's also a common thing to hear now that Americans are religious fanatics. Is that fair? Probably not, but it does seem, to a largely secular(non-religious) Europe, that we are. It's not just Europe either. Canada sees us as a bunch us religious fanatics as well. And why shouldn't they when we've begun passing legislation based on Christian beliefs. Sure a majority of the US is Christian that doesn't mean the rest of us should have to live by Christian law. Our country was founded on the basis of freedom of religion. Where did that ideal go?
Have you ever heard the term "the squeaky wheel gets the grease"? That means that the people who say what they believe loudest are the ones who get the attention. That doesn't mean they are a majority, just means that they are the ones people hear. If we want to change what American means, we have to start being heard because right now, what the rest of the world sees and hears when they think American is self-absorbed, bullying, obese religious fanatics.
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