Acknowledging the Affliction is the First Step Towards a Cure
Orrin Judd links to a contributor to the BBC exploring “The British and their bizarre view of Americans,” before concluding:
I think, at root, the problem is one of mirroring.
They say “aluminum”, we say “aluminium”, but both can be shiny and reflective surfaces. So, no matter how intently we examine the US, we cannot help but see our own features staring back at us. This phenomenon simply doesn’t occur when we look at the French, the Vietnamese or the South Africans – all remain properly other.
Only America and the Americans have this ability to derange us with their capacity to reflect our own image. Not that they do this intentionally, really, it’s something we do to ourselves. And it follows that what we also do to ourselves is to relentlessly equate America with Americans, and the US government with its electorate – conflations we wouldn’t dream of making in the case of the German or Greek peoples.
The key word there is “deranged.” At least you’ve acknowledged the affliction; the first steps on the path– no doubt, the very long path — towards a possible cure:
(On the other hand, any residual cases of BDS are the least of the BBC’s myriad derangements these days.)
Someone once said that England and America are two nations separated by a common language.
Here in the UK, I’m always surprised at how people with very strong opinions are so ill-informed about America. The BBC and Channel 4 News are especially bad. Sadly though, with the broadcast media in both countries largely controlled by the left, it’s a case of Republican/ Conservative Party = Bad, Democrat/ Labour Party = Good.
Jonathan:
Don’t be so surprised. It’s actually pretty common, even over here in the US.
There are lots of people, here in the US, with very strong opinions who are ill-informed about America.
As an expat in Asia, I am well-acquainted with many Brits. They are as equally ill-informed about most things American as well as the world at large. My issue with them is that most of the time they will prove their ignorance while using a snide, arrogant and obnoxious tone of voice. A good portion of the expats are crooks in the finance industry who I wouldn’t give the time of day to let alone handle my investments.
*COUGH* Pot, Kettle *COUGH*
Oh, you know Piers Morgan?