So I've said in the past that while I'm happy for the few number of people out there read my blog, I'm not writing it for the public - I'm writing it for myself to remember what I did 2, 10, 50 years ago. Usually that's travel stuff, but not today. There's been something on my mind recently, and I'm going to get a bit sour on social/political issues. I've done this in the past, but if that's not your thing, no worries, hope to see you next time.
I've noticed myself putting down the US a lot lately. It's in a sort of self-deprecating, humorous sort of way, or at least I intend it to be like that. But there is some truth behind it. Honestly, I do like the US. It has the best food in the world, if only for its diversity. I love the "Can do" attitude people there have, I love the genuine politeness with strangers, I love how they pretty much get everything before the rest of the world, and I love how much it has to offer for tourists. However, there was just some part with the social makeup of the US that never really sat well with me. Something that made me feel like I never fit in, and in general did not like people as much as I should. I wasn't able to articulate it until recently, but I think I finally honed in on it:
In general, Americans are looking for something to be angry about.
Maybe this isn't some giant revelation, but let me explain a bit - the US loves to take sides so they can be angry about the other one. And I don't mean in just politics, although that's there as well. Sports teams are pretty much this, manifest. Your home team is automatically, the best team at that sport, and all others and their supporters are terrible. I know that people (hopefully) think that in jest. But some don't, or at least they're very convincing actors. Even minor fanboy stuff like if you're an iPhone or Android person - you may think the others are just "not right" or insert other derogatory things. Oh, and Cincinnati chili! People will argue up and down what the best chili is, and everyone who disagrees is an uneducated moron. I am super guilty of this - I like Gold Star, but I poked fun at Skyline fans. As long as I'm being completely honest, both are good. I have a preference, but honestly I nor anyone anyone else should make someone feel bad about their preference.
But I think this is just the non-serious tip of things. It's not always a team thing, as you may have heard this story recently about a girl who wore a Chinese dress (旗袍) to prom. (By the by, I've brought it up with Chinese natives and read online, and there is 0 outrage that I can see over here about this. If you're curious this video is a good watch.) But this has remained a big issue sort of recently, enough that the Washington Post took time out from the many, many important things happening in the world to report on it. And all I can think is... "Why do you care?" In the grand scheme of things to be concerned about, this is so far down the list it's infinitesimal. Maybe the idea of it offends you - and that's cool, you can think not nice things about her and then move on with your life. If people say "This is a Qipao, from Utah.", then we get into cultural appropriation territory and I can sort of see your point. But until we get to that, in my opinion the outrage just makes you look ridiculous.
And to unfortunately take it up one more level in seriousness, gun control. This has become more of a front-line issue very recently with another school shooting. I have spent some time reading very conservative websites to see what's going on in that world, and man, what a super "with me or against me" situation Americans have made that out to be. Either you have to be hoarding enough guns to take down a battalion, or you support government gun-stealing ninjas. I don't get either of these positions. I have come out in favor of gun control in the past, because from what I've seen the data supports it. (namely, the US has the most guns per capita and the highest number of gun deaths) And that's really all I care about. You could argue my data sources are wrong, or I am making an incorrect comparison. But that's an attack on my argument, not an attack on me.
I think people get those confused a lot, and get their passion, or more frequently anger wrapped up in things. And it's really misplaced, because I think both sides want to save lives. Or at least, I hope they do. And if that's the end goal, are there really two sides at all? Why not three sides? (No guns, some control, no control). Or four? (Everyone gets a gun, some people get a gun, only police get a gun, no one gets a gun). Or five? (Everything is fine, arm teachers, raise the age to 21, improve mental health facilities, or try get rid of guns completely). All of these have been proposed, yet somehow get divided into only two columns. And there is this social pressure to pick one, and completely oppose the other. I'd say, what do the numbers say? They say if you really want to save lives, gun control is not at the top of the list. You should want to pump money into medical research and support tighter regulations on car safety. Because data says that's where the most deaths come from. And numbers can't be angry.
Maybe I've said all I can on this for now. And maybe you don't agree with me. But this type of strong opinion is something that I don't think I share with America, and in general people in Asia don't share. Maybe that's why I like it here. Until then, I think the US could use some foreign advice.
Well thought out and well written. I agree we've become an angry country. It didn't used to be that way, and it seems to me that social media has exacerbated the problem, opening wounds and pouring salt in them. People have learned to express their grievances with unrestrained vituperation, directing it not toward the problem, but, as you suggest, toward the people who hold a different viewpoint. As to the gun violence. That's as divisive as a problem as abortion. In my view if you don't have the political will to keep guns out of the hands of crazy people and children, you've lost the moral authority to govern. Maybe state by state solutions are best. The urban/rural gulf on this issue seems wide.
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