I cannot help but relate everything I experience back to my 6 month experience studying abroad in France, as I just returned less than 2 weeks ago. I now have a better handle on what I believe the quintessential 21st century American to be, as I have viewed it from multiple perspectives. While in Europe, I was introduced to many new people, and to them I said with pride that I was an American. Their responses were not always so polite. Sure, many people thought it was quite cool that I was from the United States, but many others shrugged me off as if there was no way that I could contribute to the conversation, as I heard from many young French citizens that Americans were "fat, lazy, stupid, loud, rude, superficial," etc. Do not take this as exaggeration, these were actual descriptions given to my face by young French adults on numerous occasions (usually while alcohol was being consumed, so I suppose that is why the had the audacity to say it out loud).
Now the question is, do I agree with this description of the quintessential American? Absolutely not. Is it true of some? Of course! I think the problem is that we are all being stereotyped by the image that Hollywood gives to the rest of the world. Around the globe (well, I can really only speak for Europe) people are seeing the same images that we see everyday in films and t.v. and advertising. But the difference is, is as Americans we know what to blow off as fiction or comedy, while in Europe they take these images to represent true American life. For example, everytime I told people I was from Springfield, I received the same response... "DO YOU KNOW THE SIMPSONS?!" Right, because Homer obviously lives right next door. They realize it is a cartoon, but they believe the characters are real. Thus, they imagine Americans to be fat, loud, lazy, and stupid just like Homer and the other characters.
Personally, I believe there is no quintessential American. Our country is full of so many different types of people. And really, when I imagine an American, the image in my head is completely different depending on what region of the country I am thinking of. For example: Californians I picture as laid back surfers, girls with too much money and plastic surgery. This to me just doesn't seem like reality. It's Hollywood. Midwesterners I imagine very down to earth, family-oriented people. I also imagine a lot of farms and tractors, although I live no where near a farm and get incredibly annoyed when my friends at SLU make the ignorant claim that people from Springfield are "hillbillies" (of course they joke, but it really gets to me). So I suppose thats a tad hypocritical of me. When I think of New York, I imagine a fast-paced world of business suits and briefcases. I am not quite sure if I have made my point, but it is that I too get my image of Americans from the media.
I think the U.S. is a mish-mash of different cultures, and therefore I cannot describe the quintessential American, because I would continuously change my mind half-way through the description to adjust it. As soon as I think of Americans as being lazy, stupid, and loud, I then think of all the brilliant, competent, well-rounded Americans who absolutely deteste the former stereotype.
A friend of mine went on an LLCC trip last year to Italy, and she and her classmates were advised to pretend they're Canadian because many people in Italy hate Americans. I'm not sure if it's because of our last president or how we are represented in 'reality' shows. Unfortunately, overall it seems that we are not as cultured as some Europeans, but that is only because our country doesn't have as much history as European countries. Also, the fact that there are so many countries with varying countries so close to each other. Even though others may argue that in today's society of lightning fast technology we American's have no excuse, there is still no replacement for seeing foreign countries in person to get a grasp on different societies throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteI like how you received information from people from other countries. That helps as feedback from other people from other parts of the world. Also how they asked you about the Simpsons because that’s how they perceive Americans to act. I also agree with what you said about how there is no specific quintessential 21st century American. Everyone has a different lifestyle there are the lazy people and the active people. There are people who are biking and others sit around doing nothing all day. I also like what you said about people in LA live different than people in New York City. People in Illinois live different than people in Florida. I also think there is no Quintessential 21st century American.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you totally as people make the mistake of sterotyping in everyway from the hollywod perspectives and from hillbillies. It is the americans that do this themselves as well as for others in other parts of the country. It is very interesting what they had to say about americans and totally see them saying that although I dont totally agree just as you dont.
ReplyDeleteI too agree that it was a great representation of a title for the book by Mister Alexie. His title could have the dual meaning of a killer of Indians or of an Indian that kills. Perhaps it could also have connotations to the history of societie's masacre of certain Indian tribes for not comforming. In any event, I believe that the book points out the results of prerjudice: such as revenge, hate, anger, leading to murder and abuse along with the fear of everyday life among minorities. When many cultures are living together there has to be a certain amount of "love" education so everyone can co-exist together, without destructive actions or views. If we don't, eventually people like John, Aaron, and Marie develop into prejudicial monsters. Although not everybody will change to a positive view, an innocent persons life could be saved as a result!
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