I'm as patriotic as the next guy.Even with all it's flaws - I'm happy to live in America.
The American Ideal was(is) a great concept, it's only problem being it's misuse.
America has always had it's problems - "Why?" one might ask.
America failed to deliver on it's promises of equality and justice for all.
The American Ideal was reserved only for those within the dominant culture (whatever that was at any given time) and only extended when a subordinate culture gained enough desirable traits to make it's inclusion a viable option.
America only succeeds when she is acting in a morally responsible manner.
The American Revolution, American Civil War, WWI and WWII - just wars, protecting weaker nations from a stronger more ambitious empire building enemy.
Vietnam, Korea, Granada, Iraq, et.al. - blatant grabs for power.
America often misuses it's healing powers as a cure-all for every malady for every situation.
But this usage can have unwanted side effects.
This is similar to using Aspirin to cure stomach ulcers, macular degeneration, or thinning blood.The "Wonder Drug" (American Way) does not, in fact, cure all ailments.
Sometimes the "cure" is worse than the initial condition.
Sometimes the "cure" creates more long term problems than it solves.
Like aspirin - The American Way is a great asset to humanity.
But when overused in inappropriate situations - maybe it's best left on the shelf.
Since we don't know the outcome of it being applied the hoopla of the great emancipator is usually taken. As a result no one ever looks at the consequences and since we don't want to tarnish this Great Way we act like the mistakes don't exist. Native Americans being killed for Christianity in this country, Slavery in this country, Chinese people quarantined in this country and to this day a coordinated attack on all people who are different in color.
ReplyDeleteWhile I like being here I get to see and live the other side and since I'm not in the majority I guess I'm just supposed to accept that slavery happened and just move on! I'm here but I ain't in love, patriotic or giving the Mfers the benefit of the doubt. I know what it could be but at some point we have to realize that the potential of a country sometimes leads to being a failure. They keep saying it's a young country 200 years well for half of that if not more Blacks have seen the cruelty so why should any of us believe in the American Way. F*ck Potential be it or don't be it!
I'd disagree with you on the subject of Korea. The north's invasion of the south (with the approval of Stalin) was a blatant effort to bring the whole peninsula under a communist dictatorship.
ReplyDelete@ Anon - Did the South not want Communism?
ReplyDeleteOr did we just not want it for them?
@ FreeMan - The country cannot succeed until it reaches it's full potential.
Everyone must be treated as though he were equal to all others.
This was the idea behing the fiunding of the country - but the initial comprimizes (Slavery) set the effort up to fail.