When I first arrived in the United States, in 1985, I believed I was well informed about America and Americans. I was confident that my knowledge of US geography, history and political system would prepare me well to live in an American neighborhood. In addition, I knew of a certain anti-US sentiment in some quarters of Europe and the world. Previous visitors had warned me that I would find many Americans naïve, ignorant or arrogant. And the President, Ronald Reagan, was widely vilified in Europe as stupid or dangerous, or both. I was curious. My visit to this country was scheduled to be two years but I am staying a life time.
Over the years since, I have thoroughly enjoyed America and its citizens. Although I have been amused and saddened at a general lack of knowledge about the world and its history. And I have not found Americans to be arrogant but to have a well placed pride in their country. This has been brought to mind recently with Presidential candidates claiming they will restore American prestige around the globe.
I find this claim really quite naïve and laughable. What they really mean is pleasing and appeasing European governments. But this flies against a truth that Europeans are jealous of American power, wealth and influence. Gained, many Europeans believe, at the expense of Europe after 1945. There is also a distinct snobbery against American culture and perceived excesses.
American fashion, inventions, music and entertainment influence hundreds of millions of people. Great fortunes are made and the luminaries are world famous. While this may be resented in old Europe, for most of the world the United States is a beacon of opportunity and a catalyst for dreams.
There really is no way to appease European critics without suborning American interests. This does not seem to be widely understood by the American citizenry. Americans are hurting America. President Bush is vilified in the same way Reagan was attacked. There is little attempt by the American Press to present the world with a balanced report of its President's personality and policies. Why would any American wish to demean his or her own country by demeaning and undermining its leader? Adding fuel to a fire of misplaced resentment and snobbery.
The answer, I believe, lies in ignorance. Ignorance of history and geography and a woeful understanding of the meaning of the Constitution. If Americans better understood their country's place in the world, they would not tolerate the damage being done. They would also appreciate that the US does not need a European influence, rather the Europeans should be more appreciative of what the US offers the world. There are countless millions who would jump at an opportunity to become American.
The uplifting pride that Americans have in their flag and anthem would have more substance if school curricula included a more rigorous examination of history, geography and the Constitution. Sadly, I doubt we have enough qualified adults to teach these subjects.
