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simplyblessedwithlove
Joined: 23 Apr 2004
Posts: 125
Location: bay area, california
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 Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Force_9 wrote: |
To me, a full blooded American is non-existent. However, I suppose if you look at it from a Christian perspective, there is no such person other than a full blooded human, lol, since, according to what I believe, we all came from Adam and Eve.
When I say full blooded American though, I mean it as an American race...someone who looks distincly American...something which is impossible since there is so much variety here. Like I said, I don't believe such and identity is even in existence...at least not yet. |
That's why if one is born in the United States, he/she is an American and is protected by its laws. born-here Americans are not torned between two/three/four countries because the United States is his/her birthplace country.
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Len T. |
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Force_9
Joined: 23 Dec 2004
Posts: 63
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:27 pm Post subject: |
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I'm afraid I'd have to disagree with you on that last point...I don't know who is right, but I don't share your opinion....agree to disagree, I guess 
I was born a citizen, but I don't have any of the patriotic feelings that you describe....at least not the way you describe them. I love my country for the freedom I have in it, but not so much to the point where I paint my car red, white, and blue and go around singing Yankee Doodle all the time. I don't believe the feelings make the person, if you know what I mean. You may find some non-"native" people who would be insulted by being called "non-American" because they don't have pride in their country...a feeling wont change their citizenship.
I don't necessarily believe that being native-born citizens prevents you from loving two different countries either...I have nothing against my homeland, but I would love to live in Taiwan right now.
Please understand, I don't claim to be the expert at all, I'm simply writing from my own perspective. 
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Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death." |
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Force_9
Joined: 23 Dec 2004
Posts: 63
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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I think, all said and done, my belief is that "American" is not a race, but a mindset. Correct me if it sounds like I used the wrong word....it's a pretty abstract concept.
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Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death." |
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Bob S.
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 10:56 am Post subject: |
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| Force_9 wrote: |
| I think, all said and done, my belief is that "American" is not a race, but a mindset. |
I think I understand where you are coming from. "America" is not a specific nation/race with a distinct culture related to a group of people genetically related such as the "English", the "French", the "Persians" or what-have-you. Biologically, the United States was founded as a conglomeration of various European ethnic colonies united under certain shared ideas. It's our shared belief in these ideas spelled out in the founding documents (first enumerated in the Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers, later codified in the Bill of Rights) that makes us "American" more than any particular affinity for the habits, lifestyles, and tastes of a given culture.
A sign of the success of Pax Americana is not in the spread of American hegemonic influence but rather the spread of American culture, not its pop-culture mind you, but the root of American ideals in the acceptance of those ideas of freedom and self-determination even by cultures or nations antithetical to the U.S. government itself.
As such, it is very possible for an immigrant to enter the U.S. feeling very "American", possibly much more American than many native born Americans, because they crave, repsect, and/or value the ideas of inalienable freedom on which this country was founded. |
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Force_9
Joined: 23 Dec 2004
Posts: 63
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2005 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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Finally! Someone a great deal more articulate than I comes to my rescue! 
Thanks Bob.
I wish you posted that earlier, lol. This is a discussion topic at the uni right now, and I've been having a hard time putting my thoughts into words. 
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Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death." |
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wolfstone
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 31
Location: Spain
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| Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 1:51 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| A sign of the success of Pax Americana is not in the spread of American hegemonic influence but rather the spread of American culture, not its pop-culture mind you, but the root of American ideals in the acceptance of those ideas of freedom and self-determination even by cultures or nations antithetical to the U.S. government itself |
I don't agree with you in this point. The success of American culture around the world comes from the role of superpower which the US has taken on after the World War II. Like Rome or the British Empire, first one is the military influence and afterwards you take advantage of it as to spread your culture. We don't have more oportunities to choose.
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Bob S.
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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| wolfstone wrote: |
| Like Rome or the British Empire, first one is the military influence and afterwards you take advantage of it as to spread your culture. |
True, there needs to be some global success to prove the system as a viable alternative to whatever people witnessing it currently endure.
| wolfstone wrote: |
| We don't have more oportunities to choose. |
I don't know about that. Doesn't Spain have a constitutional monarchy like Great Britain and Japan? That's an alternative choice. At the end of WWII, we forced forms of democracy on Japan, West Germany, and Italy. Though during the Cold War, we often tried to prop up dictators in such places as South Vietnam, South Korea, and Iran (I think it was Henry Kissenger who said, they may be bastards but at least they're our bastards) with often disasterous results. South Korea was a puppet controled dictatorship for 30 years before they got tired of it and desired a modern democracy somewhat friendly to the U.S. Iran got tired of our dictator after 25 years and converted to a somewhat-democratic theocracy hostile to the U.S. A lot of countries replaced one dictator with another, but often you'll find that the people of these countries were/are isolated from the outside world influences and media. |
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coffee fish
Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 4:59 pm Post subject: To Trinity |
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 I think American Culture is more and more popular all over the world,not just in my country.Especilly the balck music,such as hip-hop.
If i am an American, i think its freedom makink it so successful.[/b] |
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mo0n
Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 121
Location: London ( temporary)
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| Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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hi, I'm not an american, but our culture look a lot like the american culture.
many things are the same, I live in the netherlands.
and you see it everywhere, every movie is from america, on tv everything is from america, I think it's so succesful becauce everything is so grandiose, and everyone wants to live in a '' grand culture'' so I think america is a sort of example for many other countries.
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--- Monique --- from London temporary... |
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simplyblessedwithlove
Joined: 23 Apr 2004
Posts: 125
Location: bay area, california
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| Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Bob S. wrote: |
| As such, it is very possible for an immigrant to enter the U.S. feeling very "American", possibly much more American than many native born Americans, because they crave, repsect, and/or value the ideas of inalienable freedom on which this country was founded. |
I'm an immigrant and I've learned about American's history; therefore, I appreciate the fact that it's a melting pot with our rights are protected by the Consitution, the Bill of Rights, etc. however, I still have the feeling that this country is just a white-man country, not for me. I feel appreciated, but not comfortable since I, myself, belong to the "minority" group. Also, looking at the US history, only white men are presidents, no man of color. And now, Bush is screwing up this country, people start thinking whether we should have a woman president or not (a white woman). I have nothing against women since I'm a woman myself, but if a white man screwed up, they would think of replacing him with another white man or white woman. There is just no place for colored people when it comes to presidency. Isn't that ironic!!!!
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Len T. |
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Nicolas7
Joined: 08 Feb 2005
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:05 am Post subject: Re: American Culture |
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Hello jiwon! Im from colombia. About your topic I wanna say that the American culture in colombia is very well accepted. The most of people likes the american things and follow their example. Im not agree with that but from here the people see the americans with very goood eyes.
Besides, a lot of people belive that america want to help us but the truth is that United States want to invade us with ther industry and manage our market and our country. And the worst thing is that they are achieving his purpose.
I am not against US but that is the sadness truth.  |
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Mr. Thunder
Joined: 31 Dec 2004
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Two words: money & marketing |
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Mr. Thunder
Joined: 31 Dec 2004
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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| simplyblessedwithlove wrote: |
| Bob S. wrote: |
| As such, it is very possible for an immigrant to enter the U.S. feeling very "American", possibly much more American than many native born Americans, because they crave, repsect, and/or value the ideas of inalienable freedom on which this country was founded. |
I'm an immigrant and I've learned about American's history; therefore, I appreciate the fact that it's a melting pot with our rights are protected by the Consitution, the Bill of Rights, etc. however, I still have the feeling that this country is just a white-man country, not for me. I feel appreciated, but not comfortable since I, myself, belong to the "minority" group. Also, looking at the US history, only white men are presidents, no man of color. And now, Bush is screwing up this country, people start thinking whether we should have a woman president or not (a white woman). I have nothing against women since I'm a woman myself, but if a white man screwed up, they would think of replacing him with another white man or white woman. There is just no place for colored people when it comes to presidency. Isn't that ironic!!!! |
It's not ironic. It makes perfect sense. The idea of America being a melting pot comes from the perspective of the Whites: the Italian, the Irish, the German, the Swedish, the English, the Welsh, the Dutch, the French, etc etc. They are melting. Not you. Not me neither. This is partially because we look different. |
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Bob S.
Joined: 29 Apr 2004
Posts: 1767
Location: So. Cal
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| Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 11:50 am Post subject: |
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| simplyblessedwithlove wrote: |
| ...I appreciate the fact that it's a melting pot.... however, I still have the feeling that this country is just a white-man country, not for me....people start thinking whether we should have a woman president or not (a white woman).... if a white man screwed up, they would think of replacing him with another white man or white woman. There is just no place for colored people when it comes to presidency. Isn't that ironic!!!! |
Historically I'd say that was true, but it is starting to change. Many politicians who are of of ethnic minorities have been elected mayors of mostly white cities and governors of mostly white states. I don't think the country is against the idea of a minority or female president. The problem is, so far (as within the past few decades), most minority candidates for president have been from the loony-left "kill whitey" fringe of the Democratic party (not counting Alan Keyes who was from the fringe right of the Republican party).
The first minority and/or female president will have to face 2 qualifiers: 1. He (or she) must be trusted by the majority of white America to respect and represent their interests and not be beholden to his minority special interest group at the expense of the rest of the country. 2. The potential president must be respected and seen as strong in facing down the enemies of the country (to push past the prejudices of racist rednecks who would be inclined to vote against him but still respect someone with a military background). To meet this, the first minority president will probably have to be a Republican.
Now, up there in the Bay Area that's so deep blue it's almost ultraviolet, you may not be aware, but 2 big names that have been tossed around as potential candidates in 2008 for the Republican nominee are Colin Powell and Condi Rice. (Former Oklahoma Rep. JC Watts was also mentioned in the past but has faded from the limelight recently.)
| Mr. Thunder wrote: |
| The idea of America being a melting pot comes from the perspective of the Whites: the Italian, the Irish, the German, the Swedish, the English, the Welsh, the Dutch, the French, etc etc. They are melting. Not you. Not me neither. This is partially because we look different. |
The idea that all people of European ancestry can be lumped together as one big homogeneous amalgam is also recent idea in the big history of humanity. 150 years ago, "No Irish" signs were as common as "Whites Only" signs were 50 years ago. A lot of the segregation you see today is in the form of self-segregation rather than forced segregation. We have not yet reached an ideal color-blind society, but we are making progress. Social change occurs at a glacial pace. But glaciers can make some incredible, beautiful, and lasting changes. |
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Ducky
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:59 am Post subject: |
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No one's posted in here for a while but as an American i have to defend myself.
I think some people in here need to remember that not every American is a white Cristian person of European descent. American culture is a blend of all types of culture from all around the world. All of you have to realize that a large bit of America's population is of people who's ancestors were from countries like your own. And not every American agrees with the president. A recent poll showed that most don't approve of him. George Bush is, to many, an embarassment. What i mean to say is that we're really just like you.
And yes there is still issues of race in America. But it is getting better. Take Condoleezza Rice as an example of that. Racism isn't at all excepted in American culture. And America's diversity is one of the things I love about it.
I admit when i was little i thought was the greatest country in the world and didn't have a single fault. But that isn't the additude of most grown Americans. Many of us still root for the home country weather it be Ireland, Cuba, Haiti, Vietnam, China, or Iraq. |
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