America....the land of the free?

As children we are told how lucky we are. We are told how great our country is. We are told to appreciate all that our "forefathers" fought to preserve it. America sees it as its mission to spread the ideals of democracy, freedom, and liberty accross the globe. But at what cost?

Nearly every country I have spent time in is inundated with American media and entertainment. Understandably so in an English speaking country like Australia, but when I can sit in a bar in Vietnam and here at least one English word in each song, and be able to sing along to most of the songs, the American influence is very much understood. When I speak American "slang" to other westerners, or even non-westerners, I do not have to explain myself, they understand because they watch the same movies we do-those from Hollywood. I never feel in a completely foriegn place, because I can easily see or hear something that reminds me of home. Yet, is that a good thing?

America is a dichotomous culture, where on one hand we preach tolerance, diversity and acceptance of all cultures, yet govern ourselves by the will of the majority. We teach our children to be themselves by developing their own character and personalities, yet reward them most for conforming to very strict ideals(such as behavior and grading codes in school) and retaining the status quo. We tell our daughters that they are beautiful no matter what size, shape or color, but then glorify cookie cutter models, musicians and actresses. We tell our sons to respect women, but then allow them to watch music videos and movies where women are mere objects to be used and abused by the male gender. We are shown in school that everyone is equal and should be respected, and then throw them out into the real "dog eat dog" world. We are told that money and possessions do not make you happy, and then are put into a class system based solely on money and possessions. As children we are taught one thing and shown another.

While many other cultures are not our biggest fan, they look up to us nonetheless. Even in Vietnam, who does not allow any commercial international chain restaurants in its borders(except a KFC in Saigon, apparently), and whose country was completely devestated by a war of our making, they see more American culture then Vietnamese culture on any given day. They wouldn't admit it as such, I'm sure, but it seems that they are trying harder and harder to "modernize" in order to keep up with American and other western cultures. I understand that if they or other third world cultures "modernize" they prevent other cultures from seeing them as mere pawns in global politics, but in modernizing, they loose their culture and their identity, and join the melting pot of global culture. But is that right?

This stream of consciousness(which is probably very treasonous as well) has partly to do with the recent shootings at Virginia Tech, and partly to do with the book "Freedom Writers" that I haven't been able to put down since I began reading. While reading the news about the shootings, all I could think of was, that could have been at Geneseo, or at Binghamton, I could have been affected, I could have been shot, and so could my friends. I've heard of shootings in the past, but they have never quite affected me as this one had. These shootings, instead of being isolated incidents, are becoming an epidemic in American society. What are we doing wrong that is producing these tortured souls who feel that they need to kill others? The same thought process runs through my head as I read the diaries of the Freedom writers. Everytime I open the book to read it, I can feel my tearducts filling. Nearly each entry brings about issues of homelessness, abuse and homicide. Why? Maybe its my very suburban upbringing, but I cannot fathom why the senseless misery and murder needs to continue.

When I left on this trip most people thought that I was crazy. My mother is constantly worried about my safely and well being. People fear this place because its unfamiliar territory, and known for hostility. Yet they have no guns. My biggest worry is how to avoid the annoying motorbike drivers trying to offer me a ride to my destination. I feel comfortable walking around at all hours of the day and night. There might be poverty, according to an American ethnocentric mindset. But they are happy, and I'd go out on a limb and say more free then "the land of the free". Parents in these countries do not worry that their children will not come home at night, or won't survive through the day. I have not once heard of a murder or a kidnapping while traveling. It might not have complete American ammenities or infrastructure, but I'd say that its safer and a more fulfilling life. They don't constantly worry about insurance policies and 401K's. They aren't constantly preoccupied with the future, they live almost completely in the present.

As a teacher of English in a third world country, I feel as though I am doing a good service. But at the same time, I am also instilling the same values, morals and thought proccesses that perpetuate the American ideals; the good, the bad and the ugly. Don't get me wrong, I love being American. I love our country's rich and accessable history. I truly believe in the government, and think that it has good intentions, but I also think that America was created upon the ideals of reforming the ills of European monarchy and society, and has inadvertantly created a vast new set of ills that, due to the far reaching American media and entertainment, are quickly being disseminated around the world. It's no wonder that nearly every foriegner that I meet asks me if I own a gun, or know people who do. Because of Hollywood, they think all American's run around with guns shooting people. Incidents like this prove that stereotype right.

I should probably stop here. I know I have not really made any solid points, and have created more questions then opinions or solid statements, but I do have to re-enter the country next few and fear that my potentially treasonous writings could bar me from entering. Yet America has a saving grace. I asked an old friend of mine to edit a political theory paper of mine first semester freshman year. After reading, he blasted me for my blind patriotism and naitevity about American politics, and then began to preach near Anarchy to me. I asked him why he chose to stay in America, if he hated everything about it. Then he told me something I will never forget. He said "that's the beauty of living in this country. You can live here, hate everything about it, and then complain, lobby or find some other way to change it. It is constantly evolving and constantly accepting of its faults." This is why I'm proud to be an American. I hope this ideal, that my friend so fervently preached to me is not slowly eroding away.