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Why I’m not Anti-American and why I despise that word
Last Saturday I was browsing through a local antique shop looking for a present for my Dad’s 50th birthday when I spotted a book on American history. I knew I had to have this book, as I love anything to do with history. When I was purchasing this book, the store-owner said to me "I’m really anti-American at the moment". I normally would have questioned his reasoning behind this comment, but because I was running late, I didn’t have enough time. Driving home, I began thinking about the man’s opinion and how vehemently I disagree with his views. "Is that what it is?" I thought. "Anti Americanism?" In a world where US films, music and books are in every imaginable place, even those of us who oppose President Bush celebrate a great deal that is American. No, the world’s relationship with the US is not fundamentally anti-American. Many of my hero’s are American, such as JFK. Through my love of movies, I idolise the genius of Welles, Ford and Capra. My love affair with American music runs deeply through my veins in the form of John Denver. I respond to the great Woody Guthrie song "This Land Is Your Land" like a native-born American. And I always thrill to the symbolism of France’s great gift to the US, The Statue of Liberty.
Anti-American? I envy America’s Bill of Rights and the freedoms guaranteed in its constitution. My view of the US has never really changed. It is this: America sets the most noble and the most awful examples in almost every sphere of human activity. In segregation, the aftermath of the crime of slavery, we have America at its most appalling. But in the civil rights movement, we have the US at its most inspirational. I have an immense respect and affection for what’s best in America – in its ideals and its history. But I fear and deride what’s happening to the US these days, what the US is doing to the world, and sadly, to itself.
Are we to describe those Americans who oppose Bush as Anti-American? Of course not, however Bush might use the term "un-American". We’re in the era of "You’re with us or you’re against us", and that term is used to slander anyone who doesn’t agree with the policies of the current administration, no matter how insane they are.
I’m sure sometimes we might wish that American mass culture didn’t extend to the way we dress, what we eat and our own policies. On the other hand, we recognise the great generosity of spirit within the American people – immensely useful in rolling back the ideologies of the Soviet Union. But this was done through inspiration, not invasion. Sometimes I think it would be more positive if US power and influence was counter-balanced by the views and values of others, such as a more-powerful Europe.
It’s no more anti-American to oppose the Bush administration than it is anti-Semitic to oppose Sharon. Just as I support those Israeli’s who oppose Sharon (because of his long history with brutalities), I support those Americans who oppose Bush. Which makes me pro-Israel and pro-American, but selectively so. Anti-American? Certainly not. Anti-administration? Absolutely. Anyone who can’t see the difference is an idiot – or a US ambassador. |
