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November, 2004
Ann Anderson
Discussions of a Political and Social Nature
Tonight I talked with the other students in the hostel about America. Not the other American students (though Molly was there), but with the students from Italy, England, Macedonia, Venezuela, and Spain. We compared stereotypes and discussed moral issues, and I learned how other countries view America. Sadly, it was what I expected.
Discussion One: Guns
Apparently we are all members of the NRA, we all have guns in our homes, and we give them to our children. They are accessible to anyone who wants one, and everybody wants one. Everyone heard about Columbine and they were all quite curious about it. I did my best to explain how the boys involved were probably mentally unstable or insecure, that they were very pre-occupied with violence (guns, video games, movies, music, etc.) and that they were picked on and bullied at their school, even though no one really knows what they were thinking. I understand that every country has its tragedies, but I felt ashamed (and not for the first time) that this was my country. We seem to be living in a culture of fear.
Discussion Two: Beauty
What constitutes 'beauty'? What makes a woman 'beautiful'? Even foreigners are aware of the fact that Americans put a lot of pressure on being tall, skinny, and blonde. I didn't quite agree with the blonde part, as there are a number of tall, skinny brunettes who are celebrated as well, but I thought that my new friends had it right. I was also happy to hear that other countries prefer a woman with curves and dark hair to the androgynous model-types rampant in American culture. One universal beauty we agreed on: Catherine Zeta-Jones. I wondered about the model-era we were in. How in the world could some of these women be considered archetypes of beauty!? They look completely emaciated, and who honestly is 5'11 and weighs 110 lbs.? No one in the real world.
Discussion Three: War
Yep. We're warmongers. I don't blame anyone for thinking that, even though I am saddened by it. We are the super power, and if you do anything we don't like, we will take control and prove to you that you do not contend with America, because you will lose. I am happy to report though, that the Brits are just as pleased with Blair as 48% of Americans are with Bush. We saw a play called "Stuff Happens", and it outlined just how the war in Iraq came about. Even though I took it with a grain of salt (because any political play will inevitably have a strong bias) it opened my eyes to what was going on, and what other countries in the world think of that situation and of America. Until lately, I knew little to nothing about politics. I didn't know, and I didn't care. However, now I see the importance of taking some sort of position and becoming active in how your country governs itself, and how it interacts with all the other countries on this little
blue planet.
I'm so glad I've been talking.
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