Had an interesting encounter at the university yesterday. It's time I broached the subject of politics on my blog. Not that I want to debate anything, or even air any opinions, but you need to know what it's like over here. The subject of American politics, as unpleasant as it is, is brought up rather hastily here. Sometimes one of the first things a person will ask me is whether or not I voted for George Bush. Everyone is very quick to denounce the war. The interesting fact of the matter is that, while it was the evangelicals of America who got Bush re-elected, European Christians are generally against the war.
Yesterday I was talking to a Catholic (possibly a German, but I don't know) who insisted emphatically that war and God absolutely do not mix. (Not sure what Bible he's reading, but that's another story.) But he did have a certain logic: Christians don't kill, war kills, voting for Bush means voting for war, voting for Bush means killing, voting for Bush can't be done by Christians. I'm not here to analyze that, just to present you with the way people think here.
But here's the real pill to swallow: Another man (also German?) said that the 2 biggest threats in the world today are 1) Atomic weapons and 2) The USA. Hmmm. Luckily some sort of defense mechanism shut me down and I was unable to respond to this statement. But actually, I can see where he's coming from. The US and our President seem very agressive from the world's viewpoint. I'm not sure how that makes us more of a threat than the terrorists who are blowing things up everyday, but even so, I can see how he could make such a statement.
So there you have it. In case you had any delusions that the world thinks of us as great heros, I'm here to tell you they think quite the opposite. Makes being an American on foreign soil...interesting.
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2 comments:
Jessica-
I had nearly the exact same experience when studying in Ireland in 2001. Bush had just be elected for his first term, and any Irish person I would meet, the first question asked of me would be if I voted for Bush. Second, would be where in the US was I from. Interesting. Sdaly there are only a few world leaders I can name off the top of my head. Anyway, just wanted to let you know the same experience was had in other areas of Europe.
Hi!
It's difficult when people try to make you feel responsible for everything your country has done. America isn't the best, but there are good things too! I try empathise and apologize for our country's mistakes to a certain degree, and then focus on what we have on common as humans, rather than what our respective countries have done wrong. I bet your growing!
love,
Lady R
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