Is the history of America where the negative perception come from?

[ZombieHitler]

Well in general, it seems difficult to even have a honest or direct conversation about America at all-----and I imagine is quite the controversial country it would seem. I don't know if it even exists as a country anymore, so much as some strange entity in people's mind "America" this seemingly strange place that strikes a emotional chord of fear, envy, distrust, resentment or I imagine a multitude of things, like some name that must never be mentioned but always be mindful of in the backs of your minds. (yes, I am being sort of melodramatic)

Anyway,

I was wondering in general, it's very obvious that America's always kind of had a stand-offish and complicated relationship with States (despite it's name) but is partially the negative perception of America due to it's history? I don't mean recently, or in the last couple of decades, but I mean it's history in a sense of how it came to be, and it's origin and such. Many American' mind, their country i synonymous with the notion or ideal of "freedom" is it not? to say that would make many snicker but they really mean it, don't they?

I then wonder, is the perception of America, that they won for and fought for their independence true?

And if so, was it justifiable? was Britain really the oppressors and their desire to "free" themselves really necessary? and is that what took place or really transpired?

And if so, is this generally what a large negative perception of America comes from? is having broken of and have fought for independence generally viewed as a wrong doing or an overall "bad" thing to do?

(also looking past slavery and the Native American's please...)

Or unless, actions like that negates any positive perception of America all together.


But I just ask because as a Westerner, the whole "freedom" and "independence" thing really strikes a deep chord with me and I am just wondering what all the preconceived notion and thought are surrounding to the whole notion and idea of those things. Is it all considered contrived or something?

I get this sense that many on the left are of the mind that merely, you should unquestionably or by default, give all the power and right to the States and they blame all wrong doing or problems in the world on this alone.

 

[onesteptwostep]

The general ethos of the American 'freedom' narrative is what you describe, but there are several events in American history that goes contrary to that particular narrative, yes.

Can you elaborate on the negative perceptions you seem to be perceiving?

 

[Hadoblado]

The history might play a part, but I don't think that's the main issue.

The problems with America are current.

The main issue is the constant double-speak rhetoric that falls laughably far from actions. Freedom, peace, justice. So long as lip-service is payed it seems like America can get away with anything.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

The history might play a part, but I don't think that's the main issue.

The problems with America are current.

The main issue is the constant double-speak rhetoric that falls laughably far from actions. Freedom, peace, justice. So long as lip-service is payed it seems like America can get away with anything.

The history is relevant in the sense that we continue to do what we have committed in the past; extraordinarily affecting countless regimes and countries with respect to our short history as a nation.

But yes, the collective laziness and smugness of the populace is responsible for the imperious acts of our government and both are united by a hypnotic mantra of Freedom.

 

[QuickTwist]

I think, in a way, that whole 'Independence' thing is what got us fat and lazy in the first place. You must understand that things are generational by nature. What gets passed down isn't and doesn't necessarily need to be explicitly stated for it to have an effect on the newer generation. There are attitudes and characteristics of the parents that are passed down. The stronger the emotional pull of an even by someone in the past, the stronger it will be felt generations later.

Its true that 'America' is a very new Nation and culture. So I would assume most things that happen now in the attitude of people are simply echos of the past. Because the states are new, this means that there hasn't been much of a history built yet. As such, we are as toddlers just learning to speak. We have not learnt our own identity yet because we are incapable of understanding ourselves on a deep level.

Take a culture that has been around for a while. Their culture is going to have rules on top of rules on top of rules - all unspoken, but completely understood by the people of that culture. We have very few of these rules in the first place and the ones we do have are subject to change.

In this regard, our limited history has a much stronger impact on us today than an event that could happen elsewhere in the world; the effect felt from said event elsewhere need to be mulled over in the 'brain' of the culture before it decides it will adapt.