What is the American Stereotype?

So these kids came over from france and visited our french class. They said the typical american stereotype is that Americans are all very very fat.

If you aren't in the U.S, what do you think of when you here 'American?'

#219 - So do most "intelligent" Canadians.

Just sayin'.  ;-)

'gator, i'm all over the worshipping of the aliens.  that's a religion i could get behind!

nah - i'll stick with my rocks and trees.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

peaches, who's "own country" are you referring to?  because "america" is not the country of indigenous north americans.  they are occupied peoples, living in nations within nations.

 Pardon me.  I was referring to the United States.

I know that once the truth is revealed, we will be stunned to learn that we are worhsipping some alien kid for a science project completed in the 6th grade.

Bureau of Indian Affairs

President Bush Explains the Meaning of Tribal Sovereignty

In all fairness, the Native peoples were not indigenous to the Americas, either. No one is indigenous to the Americas, as far as we know. Then again, maybe one day we'll learn that life sprung up somewhere in Mexico.

i know, peaches.  my point is that even though american indians are american citizens (now - i'm not sure how recent that is), the USA doesn't necessarily represent them.  say china invaded the US tomorrow morning.  how long would it take you to decide that you were chinese?

When you think about it, you have to blame the Romans Persians Greeks Mongols Viking s Celts, since they were the first to drive out the indigenous people from their land.

Yes, I credit Celts with the inception of proto European culture.

true enough, but 10,000 years is a long time.  you can get pretty comfortable in a place in 10,000 years.  you might start to feel at home and not be too happy about it when someone else shows up after 10,000 years and decides it's their house.

I knew if I hung around here long enough, nomo would come through with the links I need. :)

I guess nobody who comes from poverty ever goes on to succeed, right?

Again, I didn't say no one did. However, you seem to be simplifying how easy it is to "succeed". And by whose definition of success are you using?

pg, I called them American Indians only because that seems to be the most pc term there is.  You can call them anything you want.  I wasn't trying to lump them all into some "american" category.

I think we have pretty well established that 'success' is a subjective term, Ali. :)

american indians is the current accepted terminology.  but what you said was that...wait: i'll get the quote.

I figured that if people from other countries can come here and do it, then people from our own country could do it as well.  I guess nobody who comes from poverty ever goes on to succeed, right?

and what i'm saying is that the USA isn't their country.  they are colonized peoples. 

yes, but peaches point still stands. everyone can try to overcome the obstacles in their lives. it is the not trying or feeling as if there is no reason to, that is the tragedy.

Original Post by pgeorgian:

american indians is the current accepted terminology.  but what you said was that...wait: i'll get the quote.

I figured that if people from other countries can come here and do it, then people from our own country could do it as well.  I guess nobody who comes from poverty ever goes on to succeed, right?

and what i'm saying is that the USA isn't their country.  they are colonized peoples. 

 ok.  Perhaps I should have said people who live in this Country.  It doesn't matter if this is not technically "their country".  They live within it.

Edit: and also what Kathy said in post #235.  That's really the only point I was trying to make.

Thanks Kathy  :)

Original Post by pgeorgian:

and what i'm saying is that the USA isn't their country. they are colonized peoples.

with the same rights and opportunities as every other citizen of the United States of America.

The point stands: If you want something better, you need to get it yourself. What better actually is, is subjective. Hopefully the population on the whole will move away from the idea that material possession equates to actual worth, but I'm not holding my breath.

but when "overcoming the obstacles" means turning your back on your culture and history and adopting an entirely different (hierarchical, competitive, adversarial, material) set of beliefs, it's a toss-up whether it's worth it, you know?

i know many many "successful" indigenous people who are to different degrees integrated into eurocentric culture.  most of them are emotionally torn and conflicted.  you want to talk white-man's guilt?  it's nothing compared to the guilt of the white indian (aka "apple"). 

the U.S. has treaties with american indian tribes (some of which were disgracefully broken in the past, true)

the U.S. recognizes 561 tribes

they aren't pushing for independence (although Hawaii is - Hawaii! no! we love you! please don't go!!) and they aren't asking us to give the country back to them

they vote and participate in our culture and in our government

DOJ Native American FAQs

 

Here is where the stereotypical "American Dream" fails. Ideally, anyone can work hard and succeed. However, it can be extremely hard to break patterns of abuse, neglect, upbringing or culture in order to do the work necessary to pull oneself out of a bad situation.

If someone believes something is impossible because of years/decades/centuries of their people being exploited, I believe it is arrogant for someone outside of the situation to just sit back and judge them saying they should "just pull themselves up by their bootstraps".