Throwback Sunday: Hating America

Disclaimer: This one is a bit heavy. 

Back in September I created a video Series of things I hated about the countries I lived in. I choose to focus on things that were lighthearted. While I didn’t want to offend anyone by attacking their country, I did want to show how things can be difficult when your a foreigner.

99% of the time I love my life and where I live. However that 1% still exists, and it’s made worse because it is something I normally have to bear by myself. If you are lucky you will have some other immigrant friends and you can come together and rant about expat problem. That isn’t always the case.

I’ve kept quiet about this for a long time. I don’t want to rock the boat, however I think the boat is already overturned, so why not.

We’re Awesome

My country is the greatest country ever! I know there will be people from other countries that after reading that will think 1- She’s dumb. and 2- Typical American.
That is fine. However I believe that my county has some good ideals that are solely American.

For Example:

1-

You are not an Amer-I-cannot.  You are an American. You spell that Ameri-I-CAN. You can do anything when you’re an American.

That is a pearl of wisdom I learned in kindergarten. My confidence isn’t perfect, but I’ve always remember that, and thought I don’t have an excuse not to try and succeed.

This doesn’t exist in other countries, in fact I would say it is the opposite. I’ve been told many times the thing I want to do, I won’t succeed in. I enjoy proving them wrong.

2 –

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Lady Liberty’s plaque

In school we learned how people said the streets of America were paved with gold. It was supposed to be a metaphor, showing how anyone who yearned for greatness could obtain it. It didn’t matter where they came from, who they were, or what your past was. If you came to America, Americans would help you, and you could have the life you only dreamed about.

Thus created the American dream, which is a concept taught to people, because there isn’t and equivalent “French Dream” or “Belgian Dream”

3-

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

American Declaration of Independence

I grew up in a country that told me, that I had these rights, because people before me were willing to fight, lay their life on the line, and even die.

I was told I had to be brave, because it was my responsibility to protect these rights, but also to be selfless and help others who wanted them.

I’m biased, but I think these are good values to have.

• We should tell everyone they have the power to succeed and achieve their dreams.
• We should strive to help those less fortune than ourselves.
• We should save guard the basic rights we have as people.

There’s always a But

However as much as I love my country and the ideals that created it, that America doesn’t exist.  That hurts to admit.

I know a big part of my problem is that I don’t live in America anymore, and so my perspective has changed. People only know what they experience, without understanding, people can’t change and open their minds.

Here are 5 things I hate about the USA

Immigration

60+% of American have never been abroad. I know this based on State Departments Statistics and passport ownership.  More than half of my country has no idea the difficulties that people face when they leave their country, and then they vote and make devastating laws that effort those foreigners.

I’d love to live in the USA, even with it’s problems it is my home. That will never happen, though. The process for my husband and children to move to american is more difficult and expensive, than my moving to Europe.

It sucks. I sometimes feel like I’m being punished by my government because I fell in love with someone who wasn’t American. Then when my fellow Americans vote to make the process even harder, or say I chose my lot, it makes me want to cry.

Education

Now that I have children education matters to me. I want my children to have the best opportunities available. There is this part of me that is heartbroken that my children won’t learn the same ideals that I grew up with, but I’m also grateful.

Religious doctrine has seeped into the school system back home.

You cannot teach evolution, because it goes against the bible.  (If you are reading this and think that’s untrue. My science teacher taught Intelligent Design and said evolution was a lie. I was 12 and believed her)

Children sexual education involves telling them that if they have sex they will get aids and die. I could list all the diseases you got when you had sex,  because that’s what my school taught me. How the act occur, the emotions, mentality, and personal responsibility of sex. I learned in France.

I have such great hope for their future knowing they will have a good education.

Guns

You can own a gun in Europe. It is something that Americans and Europeans don’t seem to know.

There is one big difference. In America people get guns to protect themselves. In Europe people get guns because they like to shoot or hunt.  That is a huge different in mentality.

This sentiment comes from a different in history and I understand that. However I would like to think that society has moved away from violence, and that the differences between people could be solved with diplomacy.

If someone want to own a gun, great. However it more difficult to get your driving license or move to another country, than to get a gun. That is ridiculous.

Shootings is not a common occurrence in Europe. Whereas going outside in America, carries the risk of being shot.

Women Rights

There is so much I could say about this, President Trump, I think reflects it all though.

I learned the phrase, “barefoot and pregnant” by the time I was 8. I heard if from the church ladies, because that’s what a woman should strive to be. (If you are a woman that wants to be a wife and mother, that is awesome.) However it shouldn’t be the only option.

I don’t want to give the impression that Europe is Perfect because it isn’t. However when it comes to equality they are doing it better.

Equality is protected by the constitution. Insurance covers maturity check-ups, and gynecological visits. Companies are required to guarantee paid maternity leave.

These things don’t exist in my county and they should.

America First

I cried when I heard the cheers when President trump first said those words. I don’t like them.  I find them cruel on so many levels.

In church I learned that I came in 3rd. God is first, Others are second, and yourself third.
My mother taught me the best way to help yourself, is to see how you can help others.

American First = Me first which is a toddler sentiment. They don’t know better. As a parent you teach your child to be selfless not selfish.

~The End~

No country is a shining example of perfection. I’ve meet European who think America offers better opportunities, so this is a two way street.

What would be great though, is if we took all the best ideas that made us prosperous and enacted them.

What are thing you hate about your country or mine? I love to hear from you all!

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