I am American.

[Kirux 1,224]

I am not the most patriotic person. I never have been. Personally, I find being overly fanatic about one's country to be ignorant and obscene; usually because it leads to superiority complexes. "MY country is so amazing! It's obviously so much better than everyone else's !" This thought process itself is beyond my comprehension, mostly because I was not raised to think myself better than others.

 

Growing up on the internet I have found one thing to be truer than most; a lot of people from around the world hate America, young and old a like. I have gotten plenty of rants about why America is a horrible country. I spent most of my childhood and teen years being ASHAMED to be American. I felt as though it was my fault, but recently I have been revisiting the situation with my adult mind.

 

I have come to the following conclusion; I have no reason to be ashamed of who I am. I am an intelligent kind, caring individual. I have realised that I am being shamed by other people for simply one aspect of myself that I have absolutely no control over; my nationality. I am constantly told about how my government is ruining the world, how my leaders are evil, and how my fellow countrymen are ignorant, fat, slovenly, and unintelligent. And I've come to the question; "How is it okay to say this to someone?"

 

It isn't.

I believe that a singular person should never be held accountable for the broad conceptions, and misconceptions, of their entire country. I will not try and say that everyone in America is a wonderful person. Yes, we have our fair share of overly fanatic citizens. Every country does, however. And, to me, I find that the people who are constantly talking badly about America aren't much better than the Americans who think they're the bee's knees.

 

For those of you who dislike America for any reason, legitimate or just handed down hatred from family and society, this is not a post bashing on you. It is a post sharing my realistion that I have been made to feel ashamed of myself my entire life over one of the most trivial aspects about a human. To hate someone for something as trivial their nationality is no better than hating someone for their skin colour, gender, or sexual orientation.

 

People claim they want the world to be at peace and for everyone to get along, but if we continue to allow a person's nationality determine who they are as a person instead of seeing them for who they truly are based on their actions and personality, that dream will never be accomplished.

[Shera Wizard 2,736]

You left me speechless.

 

I don't know much about America or it's people, but, I feel, regardless of which country a person comes from, what color their skin is or how or what language they speak one can never and never should determine who they really are

 

You haven't seen India.

[HarLea Quinn 26,501]

I agree .I've said this before and I'll say it again ..If one deludes themselves into thinking what country they are from makes them better than anybody instead of judging someones worth on their actual accomplishments and who they are as a person then they really need a life ..

Edited November 17, 2012 by Flaming Lea

[Silvia Kuroi 1,480]

I have to agree with this.

 

We're all human, we're all of the same species. Why must we yell at one another, shame another solely based on the location of where they were born?

[CjmonXIII 110]

Reading this makes me want to go out and travel the world,no joke, i would love to see how other countries interact,their cultures,lifestyle,everything. It would be so much better than just reading about them out of a textbook in history class

Edited November 17, 2012 by CjmonXIII

[Azzurro 36]

That was absolutely amazing Kirux and I completely agree with what your saying, and it really is petty and shallow to hate someone because of their nationality and your nationality isn't something to be ashamed of but also don't think your nationality makes you better than anyone else, I think people should try to travel around the world more often to see what other countries are really like outside your own instead of judging them based on what you read in textbooks and what you see and hear on the news.

[MyDixieRect 2,061]

"People claim they want the world to be at peace and for everyone to get along, but if we continue to allow a person's nationality determine who they are as a person instead of seeing them for who they truly are based on their actions and personality, that dream will never be accomplished."--The plot of every Tales game.

 

Jokes aside as someone who spent a good chunk of their childhood drifting between countries, I have seen far too much of this and can't relate to any of those people so you are preaching to the choir, sister. *Z snap*

[Firaga 5,947]

Brilliant.

 

It's nice to see people who know the truth.

[Troldemort 19]

I love you giaz

[Daniel Black 1,981]

I agree. Is just sad the actual situation, each country is different but that´s not a reason for misjudge someone.