Quote:
Originally Posted by Choleric  I do not know if you are trying to be but that statement has a very pretentious tone to it.
Americans are connected via Language, nationality and religion just as much as any European country, granted there isn't the same long standing cultural and historical homogeneity to rally around. |
It was not my intent to be pretentious.
Mind English is not my native language so my diction / articulation as sometimes (too) simple & direct.
I was just trying to point out USA are very heterogeneous country - their inhabitants are in vast majority (social) immigrants & their successors. And those immigrants have come from all over the world - bringing their native language, culture, religion, habits to the States. So, there you have a great mix of nationalities, cultures, habits, religions etc. in the USA.
Also an important fact: USA were British colony. And could even happen they ended up being eg. French, Spanish or Dutch colony. But, OK - the Brits were the winners in that game.
So, there you have it (after independence war) - an independent country with very heterogeneous population. So, what is needed is a special bond - which came in form / symbol of God, state national symbols, and the President. And today the situation is even more heterogeneous.
So, to bridge all the differences "brainwashing" was needed - putting patriotism in the first place. Being American comes first. Otherwise there would be a chaos.
I'm familiar with this method: once Slovenia being a part of Yugoslavia (also a bunch of different nations & religions) we were feed with that value of "Bratstvo i jedinstvo" (= Brotherhood & unity). So, this slogan (value), and the president (popular dictator) Tito were the bonds which glued us together. And the state symbols of course.
That's the method used in every heterogeneous country (being that a federation or confederation). Even in EU they are trying to feed us with special European features ... eg. now we have a EU flag. EU anthem, EU standards / legislation. But these are still very loose / weak bonds.
I just wanted to say - like MikeJ also pointed out - most of nations here in Europe are less connected with their patriotic feelings, authorities, religion, state symbols etc.
I guess it has something to do with the history - mind the WWI & WWII (and many other wars before) devastated entire Europe. And people are willing to sacrifice their national (or religious) pride for the sake of peace (and other common well).
Just like today eg. US people are willing to sacrifice their freedom / rights for the sake of more security.
It's not about who is "better", or who is "above".
But due different historical experience the POW & habits are different.
And I completely understand why patriotism, national pride, state symbols, the God, & the President are so important for the existence of the USA. I just wish people to have more distance & be less sensitive. Because being too sensitive means your feeling can be hurt quite quickly. And when that happens the reaction is often aggression / hostility of some kind. And can lead to bad stuff.
So, don't be offended if someone says your president is a moron, your nation is stupid, your country sucks etc.
If you are confident in your nation, country, president etc then all the criticism shouldn't hurt you. It can only help to reflect & evaluate - if needed.
But in the case people are not confident about above mentioned things, when you are in fear for your values ... then I guess the (over)sensitivity appears.
But that's not the problem for me to resolve. It's a personal problem of each individual.
Cheers.