Define American

imported
#1

As walkers of this land we have a great appreciation for what this country has or, at the very least, we have a desire to find out. Our assembly of diverse origins, more diverse than any country in the world, carries just as many views respectively of who we are as a country. In light of seemingly growing concern for being “liked” by other nations, how does this affect the definition of who we are as Americans, our national identity, our defense for our way of life? What does it mean now to be an American? Is it better, or worse? Our window is looking from the inside-out. What is it like looking from the outside-in?

Joseph Gilmore

#2

Interesting question. I have lived outside the states for over three of the past five years. I don’t think it was until I left that I got a better understanding of the US. And I think leaving has made it harder to go back, if that makes any sense.

Unfortunately all the rest of the world sees of us is what is in the news, and for the past few years, that has been Iraq, terror and cowboy politicians. People (eurpeans) think we are much too big for our britches and a bit too arrogant, but then once you counter them on that, they agree, yes, Tony Blair was in on it too, we were in it with you, etc. Once I talk to people about their individual trips to the states, they suddenly love the place and most of what they’ve seen there. One comment I get a lot is “they are SO friendly!” And they seemed shocked by that. So nothing is black and white, we are liked, feared, hated and admired all at the same time. As a walker in the US and abroad, the people I meet are welcoming and sincere.

I’m not sure what it means to be an American. For a long time I wanted to seperate myself from that identity. But now that I’m moving back, I’m trying to question what it is I don’t like, and to give the issue more thought. Don’t get me wrong, I love the states, and the places I have lived there, but I just feel that my eyes have opened since leaving and not only do I understand more about the rest of the world, but I want to understand more. I think this would be a healthy thing for every american to experience.

She-ra

#3

America is still a great country and the best place to live in my opinion. Still the land of opportunity. We are currently having an extreme problem with fear. It has infected our entire culture. Life is risk and risk assessment. The things that are the most dangerous we do not fear, driving cars and eating fat. More people die from those two activities than almost all other causes outside of accidents combined. The thing we are most afraid of now and we are willing to bankrupt the country because of, is terrorism. We only lost under 4000 people in the last decade to terrorism. Bicycle riding is more dangerous. We need to stop being afraid and blindly killing people around the world and start living again.

Blue Jay

#4

You know Blue Jay, when you leave out the personal stabs you can say some pretty intelligent stuff. I’d like to run into you sometime at a bar in a trail town and buy you a beer. It might make for some great conversation, unless it led to a brawl and they threw us in jail.

Skeemer

#5

Being an American is all about freedom, freedom from the urge to control others. The golden rule. As an American I should not control the acts of others unless in personal defense. We should not control others through violence or other manipulations such as voting. Be American Don’t Vote.

True American at 00

#6

I agree with She-ra. My situation is the exact opposite to hers, a Brit now living in the U.S and I feel the same way. Although I do not question what it is to be an Englishman (Englishman are very proud) I used to question what it was to be an American. As half the programs on Britains 5 channels are American it’s difficult not to have an opinion. Got to say that I wasn’t keen on coming over the first time but I quickly changed my tune. The actual country itself is amazing, such a diverse landscape offering so much. It’s just a shame that the apparent pioneer mentality is still alive and kicking; the current presedential administration. Consume, consume, consume. They must be in power for a reason, people out there must have voted for that way of life, that’s what staggers me,and I suspect my fellow countryman, the most.

Having said that, I live here now so what affects you affects me as well. To regain the respect of some of the worlds nations you need to lose the iron glove and be a little less insular.

Cheers

Cheers

#7

Excellent, Blue Jay. We have more raw opportunities than people in most other countries, but we also live in a state of constant fear of losing our stuff and the social status it affords us. This fear is reflected in/by the market(ing) economy we inhabit: Advertising and the topics covered by the “news” and how it is covered/reported by media conglomerates is largely built upon playing on peoples’ fears. We are what we think about. Our country is one of only four in the world that still executes people, along with Iran and Somalia and I can’t think of the other. The inhabitants of this United States, “Americans,” are also defined, as a group, by their willingness to participate in the hugest mass consumer market in the world. When the administration in Washington steamrolls the rest of the world in terms of foreign policy, it appears to them we think we occupy some moral high ground. In some cases, we have helped save the world, like that little mess with Hitler, for instance. All of these factors define us as a people. I like stuff, but I don’t need 500 pair of shoes or to live in a house big enough to house 4 families. I walk to get relief from the burden of being expected to participate in the short-sighted collective absurdities that have come, in many ways, to define our national identity – my spirit needs periodic breaks from the mirages of the marketplace, which I’ve already largely filtered out and banned from my life. Collective definitions seldom take into account individual traits and they risk creating stereotypes, but it’s not hard to see how people in other nations could view us without rose-colored glasses. In the end, all over the world, we’re all people who bleed red and want the same things, peace, safety, something to eat, someone to love, something to do to make us feel useful. Don’t be afraid.

Tyger

#8

I agree with She-ra…most folks will talk bad about America but not about Americans. Semantics, maybe, but nearly all of the Europeans I’ve met have been very friendly to me, and were curious about all sorts of things American. Only once was I turned away from a restaurant because I was American, and that was before 9/11. When it came to politics and the war, they disagreed on some things and agreed on others, but could separate my government from me as an individual.

In the end, it came down to one thing - their governments represent their views about as well as any other democracy. Some issues were right on, others were politicians pandering to some group or other. So realizing that, they usually didn’t treat me any different as an individual just because they didn’t agree with some of the things my government does.

And in light of the concern for being liked, I don’t live my life that way. I do what I think is right, and don’t care much for folks who live according to what they think others will like. That’s called pandering. And just like no one will agree with everything I think is right, no country will agree with everything America thinks is right. This isn’t majority rule. Not that every decision America makes is right, but I sure don’t think our actions should be based on the approval of other nations.

In college, I came up with an analogy…America is like a teenager. We’re strong and full of energy, and idealistically want to fix the world. Right now we have the power and energy to try, but sometimes not the experience, wisdom and patience to do it right. The culture of instant gratification. Just like teenagers. Just like almost every other powerful nation at some time in their development.

Jeff

Jeff

#9

Of course we’d get along, your an older thru. Never met one I didn’t like. This is just a game (Rile up the Straights) to me until I get back out. Ask our mutual friend LiteShoe. She’s been to my house, as has Stumpknocker.

Blue Jay

#10

Don’t despair yet, Ross. Remember that George Bush LOST the last election’s popular vote and that, of the minority that did vote for him, some presumably did so because he said he’d be a “uniter, not a divider” and a president who would pursue a “humbler foreign policy”! This election will reveal a lot and - if he wins - I wouldn’t blame you for heading back to the UK.

bullet

#11

Blue Jay said to Skeemer: " Of course we’d get along, your an older thru. Never met one I didn’t like."

Yah, Blue Jay even got along with that impatient old right-wing crank Itchyfoot! Pretty amazing!
:wink:

Good post Blue Jay! Your trail magic in Mass. was much appreciated - even if you DID take us backward to New York again!

Jan LiteShoe

#12

Blue Jay said: " Of course we’d get along, your an older thru. Never met one I didn’t like."

Skeemer, did he just call us OLD??!!!

LiteShoe

#13

What a load of diatribe this forum is. I thought this site pertained to hiking…not politcial agendas and ideological rhetoric.

Rowboat