Obama Cannot Stop Global Sentiment Against Americans
Aby December 1st, 2008
Lately, a popular belief among Americans is that since Obama has been elected President, all forms of ‘anti-Americanism’ around the world should disappear. They appear to hold on to the belief that anti-Americanism is a direct and isolated consquence of the Bush administration as foreigners “can’t seperate the American people from their government”. The very implication that foreigners are incapable of making such a simple judgement is one of the reflectors of American arrogance - they very thing that foreigners dispise (rather than the Bush administration).
Americans try to explain why they are hated around the world.
However, instead of trying to understand that it takes two hands to clap, Americans have taken to blaming all anti-Americanisms on the rest of the world, once they realised that Bush’s demise didn’t change the scene. They have come up with rather simplistic explanation to blanket global anti-American sentiments attributing it to jealousy, hatred, insecurity and a myriad of other ‘problems’.
Like the erstwhile Nazis or Islamists, these people have caught on an ‘victim complex’, believing that since they are vicitimised, extreme nationalism is the only way to go. One of such groups is run by a 40-year old blogger who calls herself virgomonkey, who apparently lost her job to an offshored Indian call center worker. Her writings mostly consist of posts that show how America is better than every other nation some way or the other and how Americans are hated because they are ‘more honest, self-critical, open minded and free’ than all other peoples. A lot of her articles crosslink to her own previous posts as ‘evidence’ or on facebook satire groups to show ‘how the entire world hates America for no fault of ours”. She came to my notice after a series of insulting comments and spam emails asking me to check out her site, before starting an attention seeking ‘blog war’ claiming that we are in some sort of ‘conspiracy’ to malign her. She has her share of supporters and sympathisers - other frustrated American nationalists like her. And yet she wonders why some Europeans take unkindly towards her and her type…
While most of these people have an understandable reason to feel frustrated, what most of these people fail to realise is that there is no simplified ’cause’ for someone to dislike Americans. Anti-Americanisn is not a comprehensive or coherent belief system or ideology that people hold on to, but rather a series of criticisms and prejudices regarding America that have haphazardly been labelled ‘anti-Americanism’.
A person might dislike United States or Americans for numerous reasons - ranging from irrational phobia of American people or a dislike of American policies or even a general aversion to American behaviours (like the one mentioned above). While the former might be a discriminatory reflex of cultural stereotypes against Americans, the latter is often a consquence of the “ugly American syndrome” - a term given for unpleasant experiences with American people. (A previous article gives a few examples of such negative experiences.)
By sticking to nationalism and preaching extreme nationalist ideals amongst themselves, all they are doing is fuelling the very fire for which Americans are disliked - their blind nationalism. Rather, they could try to connect to foreign people like we all do, by being genuinely appreciating their cultures, life and all that they have achieved. If I were to tell an Angolan farmer that that eating cassava instead of bread is savage and they are too stupid to speak French, I can’t blame him to start being unkindly to me (or to my countrymen either).
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- Comments(18)
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You couldn’t be more correct. It didn’t start with George Bush and it won’t end with Obama. It’s quite a pancake. The only appropriate response by the U.S. is to simply disconnect itself from external opinion (which for the most part, we do already). It’s a perpetual “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation. If suddenly your debts were paid, your wars ended, your economy fully revitalized, there would always be one more reason.
European anti-americanism has been around since this country was founded. And now the US is the world’s only superpower and Europe is more jealous than ever. The US is the only superpower not just because of wealth and military power, but primarily because of culture. American media (movies, music, internet, technology) reaches every corner of the globe and the people of the world can’t get enough of it.
What u mean by obama…
no one on this earth can stop!
its impossible to change hearts of people….i know obama is kool he is good at so much stuff..hes not a magician!
The gap between America and the rest of the world has widened. While China is closing in, in terms with economic growth and military might, on the international stage, China is often silent. American influence cannot be understated in the international arena. They lead the world. They make things happen. Good or bad. So long as it is within their best interests. That is what all countries want for themselves. The might, power and the riches are aspirations for all countries. Domination is what people like to do. It shines the ego. Only time will tell in reference to all the hype about Obama, that he will in fact be any better than ol’boy Georgie.
Anti-Americanism is the spawn of Americans’ own behaviour with foreigners in their country. As a high schooler in US, I learnt that its not easy being a foreigner in America.
As the son of a Brazilian diplomat when I first moved to the US I was immediately branded a worthless spic. I never felt so humiliated in my life since where I went I was treated like a moron in high school even though I spoke four languages fluently and lived in several different countries, posessing an insight to humanity that few people in that school had. Not even the guidance counselor could see through this, since he insisted in putting me in ESL classes (english as a second language) even after I demonstrated an excellent grasp of English. To add insult to injury, he tried to steer me into a career in manual labour (woodshop, metal shop) rather than something that would nurture my intellect. The kids in there treated me no differently. Despite all this my parents still don’t understand why I burnt my yearbooks a few years after graduation.
All that Obama can change is the political perception of America. The actual perception of American people can’t be changed, until Americans learn to respect people outside the Anglophone world.
The arrogance of americans as the only superpower is tolerated only becaue the world also perceived it to be the world’s economic driver. The current global financial crisis created by the US is a sound reminder to the world that USA is nothing more than a nation that continue to spend more than it can afford. America is in fact BANKRUPT and the world is now paying for the grave mistake for trusting USA and it’s grossly corrupted financial institutions. America and americans will soon be seen like the “has-been” british colonialists of the 19th century.
I have lost whatever little respect I had of America.
THE DUDES IN THE MIDDLE EAST HATES THE U.S. AND WE DO NOT GET ALONG WITH THE EUROPEANS. THE ASIA IS MAD ST THE U.S 2. WE CAN NOT EVEN MAKE CANADA AND MEXICO GET ALONG WITH US!
I will agree that global sentiment toward America is not the best. I imagine it is actually better than some Americans deserve. Like Aranez, I too had a terrible time in high school, though I am American myself. I imagine that such a self-destructive attitude toward education in this country, not the least of which the pitiful stipend upon which public schools subsist, has breeded a kind of apathy from the young, and allowed outside influences (drugs, teenage pregnancy) to gain a foothold.
I am sorry America presents such a dangerous and insipid face to the rest of the world. I live in Texas, where politicians are currently raping and pillaging more and more natural resources for fruitless gain. To what end? Any militant conservative will tell you.
We are divided, I say, between the people who think they know what to do, and the people who are a) too afraid b)too brainwashed or c) too ignorant to decide what to do. We as a population have perfectly played into the corporation’s hands, and we resist but can’t break through.
My philosophy teacher asked our class why we Americans do not revolutionize as the French did recently when American corporations pulled jobs from their cities. It is because we are too fat, complacent, or ignorant. I hate the people around me. No one will stand up!
I am sorry for America. I feel more sorry for the rest of the world, however, because like an illness, some parts of capitalism (and all that that entails) , have spread to the rest of the world. Krispy Kreme donuts in Tokyo?
However, knowing what I do, being here, knowing this, I am one person. In America, that is a lot. If we can mobilize, fix the world’s problems, not the least of which being global warming, we can solve humanity’s problems as well. I am optimistic, but what is optimism but hope in times of trial?
Obamas greatest accoplishments could occur internatinonally. However, most presidents do not get invloved in international politics until their elections final phases. Obama can not change the preception of millions of people around the world. However, he can provide individuals with sterotypes of America an alternative perspecitve we know exist in America. Globalization is no longer an optional agenda for presidents of America. Many countires around the world seek Americas leadership, however, we should not let thier concerns become more important then our own needs in this country. Americans also should realize as much of Europe already has, America really has become part of a global community, while at the same time retaining American concepts and confidence. What an exciting historical age for America and the world. We will have to wait to see how well he does with the many challenges facing America internationally.
I heard some reports on the news that some Americans were angry because in the videos coming out of Iraq showing their people dancing and celebrating the departure of the American troops, no Iraqis were thanking them. The London-based Opinion Research Business has calculated the total number of Iraqi deaths from the U.S. led invasion to now be at 1,220,000. The population of Iraq is 31,000,000, and therefore the percentage of the entire population killed is 3.94%. The total population of the U.S. is 306,000,000, of which 3.94% would be 12,000,000. If the Iraqi government invaded the U.S. and killed 12 million Americans, do you think Americans would be lining up to thank them as they pulled out?
@ James Bond
The United States Government is in debt-as are almost all developed counties. The amount of money that circulates through our ecomonomy in one day is enouh to pay off all our debt.
Poor Obama. There seems to be some (very misguided) idea that he’ll grow wings and save the world from the mean problems like the GFC or Global Warming. He won’t. Luckily I live in a country so apathetic that said, “That’s nice, turn on the footy,” after he had millions of his countrymen (and women) screaming “YES WE CAN!” the evening of his Presidation (made up word, I know, leave me alone).
Also, it must be annoying to have millions of people crowing to the rest of the world, “Look. Our PRESIDENT IS BLACK. We’re not racists! We told you! See! Look at him! And he talks! Hehehe, isn’t cute!”
The only reason Obama isn’t as bad as Bush (but, let’s be honest, there are few people in this world who are as Bush-brained as Bush, so it’s easy to like anybody if you have Bush for comparison) is because he’s less American. Check his biography. He spent his life until the age of ten in Indonesia! He has a wide world view because of his background. The truth is, most Americans aren’t like that. They don’t know about the outside world because they don’t care cause they’re too conditioned into being scared or thinking they’re too poor or important to go anywhere else.
America has no humility in any aspect of its culture, no one in America ever thinks they’re wrong, or genuinely apologizes, or shows any politeness or courtesy to anyone. I’ve met hundreds of Americans and never once heard one say ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I was wrong’, the closest they do is ‘my bad’ which is probably the worst phrase in the world, it sounds like you still think you’re right even though you’re admitting you fucked up.
@ Sam:
I agree with you to an extent. Most Americans are indeed arrogant and unapologetic of their wrongs. They’d self-righteously defend even the most savage of their words and deeds. When they absolutely cornered and have no graceful way out, they’ll either go into a jingoistic “we are not perfect but we’re the best” rant or try to worm their way out by launching a barrage of baseless personal attacks against you. With the enthusiastic support of their fellow Americans and pseudo-Americans, of course, who are no better. I’ve seen it all.
However, it would be unjust on the decent Americans to colour all Americans with a “no one in America..” brush. There are good Americans out there, even if its a rare few of them. Use the word ‘most’ if you will, rather than ‘all’ or ‘no one’. Let them know that their efforts to be decent and civilised human beings in an uncivil environment is appreciated.
Question: If an American does something that offends you, why don’t you politely tell him/her in an unoffensive manner? Why don’t you open your mouth and say something instead of complaining about it? Just to give you a word of advice, it works the best when you say something positive first.
For example, “We’re glad that you’re here visiting our country and we like having you here, but in xxxx, we tend to keep our voices lower”. Even if it’s a crock of ___, it doesn’t matter. You’re telling them in a polite way that their behavior is offensive.
Let’s all try and get along. If an American disagrees with you, let them talk and take the higher road. Tell them that there are differences in the way that you think and behave. Again, don’t critize, but help make them aware of their actions and words - they really don’t know and they really don’t mean any harm.
It’s a shame that people judge each other and are so harsh with each other. I wish we could all be more peaceful and live more happily with each other on this planet.
Obama is a corporatist. corporatism for those of you that dont know is just a nicer word for fascism. Obama is intelligent, articulate and black. he was the perfect person to vote for… only a year has passed since he was inaugurated and yet the status quo remains… he says one thing and then does another, using a cliched word like ‘change’ to gain popularity. obama, if anything, has made things worse than bush has. under bush, we were fighting one war, now we are fighting two and now, worst of all is both parties are pro-war, not just the right wing… he claims to ‘change’ america, but the only thing that has changed is the color of our president. obama does not believe in change like bush does not believe in true freedom. they’re just words that give them an excuse to go to war.
I’ll have to admit i was dancing my ass off when he won the election, but my opinion of him has obviously begun to wane…
President Obama appears to be aware of the global sentiment against America and being the first Black President, the world had different/higher expectations from him and many people felt he will be considerate, understanding and approachable President.
I give President Obama some credit for making efforts to understand other global cultures, religions and peoples opinions and trying to bridge the gaps between the America and the rest of the world.
America has a terrible reputation around the world for being a big bully and if anyone disagrees then they beat the shit out of them first and ask the questions later.
The truth is it has taken America decades to built the might is right, big bully tactics and it will equally take world long time before they will start respecting America again.
Anti-American sentiment literally drove me to tears at one point. I am just so tired of hearing stories of unwarranted prejudice against Americans overseas. I am also sick of hearing stories of American tourists who deserved it. Although, I must say, America isn’t the only country with xenophobic morons. My German teacher, a hilarious woman actually from Germany, constantly complained about America and even went on a rant about our “flimsy tablecloths.” I kid you not, she really went on about tablecloths.
Oh, Captain V strikes again. From nearly two decades of living in the US, most of the Americans I have encountered are civilized, intelligent, thoughtful and caring. And don’t you think that saying “most Americans are idiotic, etc.” makes you a little bit of a hypocrite? Although…listening to Sarah Palin makes me want to shoot myself.
Blair: I am sorry you had such an experience with the educational system, but my recently finished high school education was amazing. I enrolled in the IB program and met so many young Americans who are dedicated and determined to propel themselves through the educational process with honors. I encountered teachers that have motivated me and inspired me and i cannot thank them enough.