Seeing a rather disturbing video the other day really had me thinking. I had read a youtube comment months before about America being a ‘backwards hillbilly country’ and never really gave it much of a thought. The past few months have shown that who ever wrote that comment is absolutely correct.
During my multiple travels abroad, I have been quick to point out the many differences between us and them. Us as in the United States and them as in other 1st world nations. We lack in many areas. This we hear all the time. Economy, education, test scores, job creation, blah blah. But I am talking about most advancements with basic rights and social issues. For being the ‘Land of the Free’ and the ‘Best Democracy’….we sure have our share of competitors.
Let’s take a look at the Scandinavian Countries, Finland and Sweden for example. In 1907, Finland adopted universal suffrage for all its citizens no matter race, gender, or class. 1907. The United States did not give Women Suffrage until 1920. African Americans in the States did not get their rights completely until 1965. This helped to clear up problems that were created under the 15th Amendment of 1870 when African American Males were granted the right. New Zeland was the first country to grant women the right to vote in 1893.
Sweden is known to be one of the most, if not the most, progressive country when it comes to human rights. Their government website pertaining to gender equality is enough to bring tears to my eyes. One of the reforms that Sweden has put into place is paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers. They believe that both parents deserve to have time at home with their young children, not just mothers handling the responsibility on their own. And the key word here besides both is paid. Yes, paid leave. This is mandatory by the government. Quite beautiful I know.
Visiting other countries gave me a sense of embarrassment in many ways. We as Americans think that everyone should be a certain way or do certain things because ‘America’ am I right? We get angry when people do not speak English. Well when you visit other countries and try to communicate and find yourself lost and dumbfounded and….well just feeling plain stupid, I can understand how people feel that come here. We expect a lot from others. I met many lovely people abroad that do speak English or that tried to help me communicate with them. The difference is, they do not get angry or get in your face like we do. They laugh and maybe mutter under their breath about you being an American but hey I think we deserve it. I never had an Italian, German, Greek, or Frenchmen yell in my face about not speaking their language in their country. Oh yeah, and these videos are not hard to find. Just a quick google search and you can find plenty angry white Americans on rants.
Many of these countries have taken our sense of democracy and ran with it. They have progressed while we have stayed flat. Sure those nations have their share of problems too. Count Brexit and the Greek Economy crash amount them but they do not have Donald Trump running for President and believe me, that makes us a laughing stalk to them. The French people and the Polish people come together in their respective nations to protest for their rights. In America, we are too busy fighting and insulting the other side to even want to protest for what is important.
Yes, I am happy for the rights that we have (the comment that every woman hears in America) but we have so many other problems. We cannot just sit back and say ‘yes we are the best where we are’ and let it be. Other countries have become better than us by following our model of democracy and building off of it. They have better rights and education. Thanks to watching us sit back and argue.
I do love America and I have been taught so. We all did the Pledge of Allegiance every day since kindergarten. A bit of a grooming tool for our over the top backwards agenda. America has never been a ‘Christian nation’. We were founded on religious freedom for all. So calling this country a ‘Christian Nation’ is wrong.
Trump’s America is what I fear. Him speaking at rallies about the 'good ole days' where black protesters would be taken out on stretchers makes me sick. His comments about women, even his own daughter. It’s 2016. He wants to take us back to the 1950’s and beyond. None of today's issues would be solved. Racism and misogyny have always been there but in today’s society, it's unacceptable. If you needed any proof that these problems existed you have it in front of you. The fact that a person like this is running for president and people support him shows how backwards the United States is. The USA cannot be the best of the best if we act like this. If we lack in giving our own people healthcare. If we hold prejudice against other races and religions. If women cannot make their own healthcare decisions. The list goes on and on.
USA USA USA
