How to End the Myth of the Ugly AmericanI know it's really hard to be objective and to look at the bigger picture at the best of times, and right now in the midst of the maelstrom of the presidential election whirlwind it is nigh impossible to see beyond the nitpicking of the differences in Obama and Clinton's health plans, or whether he or she would be the most awake and sprightly when that much talked about red telephone goes off at four in the morning. (Incidentally, why do red telephones always go off in the dead of night? Don't terrorists and crazy foreign despots sleep like normal people?)
However, I would like to take a moment to caution you about something that has been looming larger in my thoughts the longer this endless campaign has gone on. (And it does seem to have begun in medieval times. Remember when Hillary announced her candidacy? I don't think I was born).
The issue is this: I travel abroad a lot. I am indeed a foreigner (or an alien of extraordinary ability in immigration speak) and I have noticed not just the huge amount of resentment and anger against the United States from the rest of the world, but also the way that US citizens have begun to feel anxious when they travel overseas, some close friends of mine even admitting to not speaking in certain situations for fear of being thought ill of or verbally abused at the very least.
Now I happen to think that the US government under the command of President Bush deserves every bit of the derision and frustration and anger about its actions, primarily from its attack on Iraq and the lies it told to justify that action, and then the consequent disaster for all concerned the war has been. BUT, I think it so sad that the citizens of this country, especially those who disagree with their leaders' actions, should have to be victimized to the point where they are ashamed to even open their mouths when they are away from home. It is a terrible situation for any country to be in.
And now here's my point: Obama, to the world (as well as to the States), represents a new broom, conciliation, a move away from the corruption and lies and arrogance that America has come to be characterized by.
Hillary, I fear, as great as she is, represents the old guard.
Everyone knows we need change at home, but please don't forget we need a change abroad in the way America is viewed.
add to del.icio.us
add to digg
add to yahoo
related at technorati
share on facebook
Check our most impactful articles and see how popular these opinions are with you.
Will others follow in your footsteps? Share your thoughts and ideas for changing the world.
Alan,
I had to overcome being starstruck before I could leave a sensible comment (thank you for the link - it very well may have made my decade). You're absolutely right; there doesn't seem to be any way for us (the hopefully non-ugly Americans) to change the stereotype on our own - even with 'new broom' Obama (though, I pray he gets every opportunity to try).
Thanks again. Love your work.
Dear Alan,
I can't believe that I would agree with the U.S. Immigration Service about anything, but their assessment is dead-on. However, I think you have this backwards. Instead of worrying about lovable, God-fearing Amer-i-cun tourists (don't worry, I am one), I think the real problem is our xenophobic view of the rest of the world. Will the French ever like us; well, probably not. But our reluctance to consider other nations' needs as equal to our own, our tendency to use third world countries as our own private gas stations and our shining disregard for "hippie" issues like global warming/breathable air/drinkable water all contribute to the world's poor but deserved opinion of America. Do I think that voting Obama into office will change this? At risk of being a "gender traitor," I say let's do it and find out. Forty years ago a man who spoke his mind and dared to dream of a better life for all was murdered; we now have a chance to elect a man who speaks his mind and dares to dream of a better life for all. I think we owe it to America and the rest of the world to let him try.
My British friends explains it this way:
"Brits and Europeans hate winners. They are just jealous." Europe is a smug human sewer, much like NY city. No one in Europe seems to have a problem with corrupt Russia, Tyrannical China, etc. Where are the Chinese go home posters?...Oh wait in Tibet next to a dead buddhist monk. Don't like us then go to Hell. Its just socialists doing their old rant.
i completely agree with you- if America wants to change her face as a diverse, welcoming and open country her leaders should reflect that too. no one does it better than obama who has had international experience coming from a mixed background, lived abroad. i think we could expect more from him than from white, female, first lady who would potentially perpetuate the stereotypical american profile.
It's sad that a generation of young Americans are going to grow up thinking that Russians, Europeans, and Middle-Easterners started hating the United States and Americans starting in 2000, when George Bush took office.
The truth is that a friend of mine went back-packing through Europe in 1996 (middle of the Clinton administration) and he was advised at the time by all of his friends to put a Canadian flag on his backpack because "everyone hates Americans". He didn't believe them, but then he came back saying that he found it to be true.
They've almost got it right when they say "everyone hates Americans, but the truth is that "everyone envies Americans".
Alan Cumming, why is it that the citizens of other countries can be so full of prejudice (and anger and resentment to use your words), but the only injustice that you can see is how an American president invaded Iraq?
Perhaps our enemies would prefer an Obama presidency because they think they can use him to maintain the (awful) status quo in that region. Did you know that women are still not allowed in Iranian soccer stadiums to watch people play the world's sport? Are these the people we are worried about offending?
If Al Gore had been president for the last 8 years then Saddam Hussein and later his 2 evil sons would be ruling over Iraq for the next 50 years. Is this good for the Iraqi people because I feel that I may need to apologize for leaving them in that same old situation as well. Before 2003, they had no chance of living in peace with one another (Sunni dictatorship dominated Shias and Kurds), but at least now they have some chance to emerge with a stable, peaceful, democratic society. However it turns out, it could not be worse than what that country was facing. I'm not naive, either. I don't think they will re-create the streets of Dallas or Seattle over there any time soon, but all great things start small.
I don't know why Sunnis and Shias kill each other, but I do know that it has something to do with racial and religious persecution. Why is it that noone ever calls them racist or intolerant? If an American shows that little tolerance, they are instantly called on it, yet other people of the world get a pass. It's very condescending to people of color that you think that the American standard is above them. On top of that, it belittles the true injustice of intolerance and prejudice.
By your writing, you seem to be a smart individual. I would ask you to please apply your ethical standards a little bit less selectively so that all people can be protected.