Serdun, all those people you mentioned struggled for Civil Rights. That highlights my point that America is more racist in the first place, and that apparently the values of equal representation and cake for all aren't quite the core of American society. I they were, surely oppressed minorities would have no need for protests and an endless struggle for representation?
You seem to view the Civil Rights movement as a clash between "the Minorities" and "the Americans." Perhaps it's because the idea of an American being anything other than a fat, unintelligent bigot is somehow shocking to you? By your own admission, you've gathered most of your information about American racism from what you've culled through the media. Is your view of the American him/herself also tinted somewhat from what comedy shows and less-than-balanced news reports show you?
Yes, there were and are racist Americans. That doesn't mean all Americans are racist. Yes, many white Southerners (and Northerners too) institutionalized oppression against minorities. However, their attempt to suppress rights and values central to US society only makes it clear those values were there to suppress. MLK Jr. didn't fight for black ideals, he fought for American ideals. They're in our Constitution, in our Declaration of Independence, and in our Pledge of Allegiance. Denial of the fulfillment of these ideals by some American bigots didn't manage to erase them from the foundation of our government and society.
As though to aid me further;
We teach that the United States is the only great country, and we, unlike anyone else, teach the values that have made the United States the best, like individualism, diversity, tolerance and the courage to stand up for what you believe.
Oh. Oh wait. That's not what I said at all.
We teach that the United States is a great country, and we teach the values that have made the United States great, like individualism, diversity, tolerance and the courage to stand up for what you believe.
I've never suggested that no one but the US holds these values. I stated that the US teaches these values, and why.
All these countries have another thing in common; they pretty soon forget these values. The Courage to stand up for what you believe? Like all those innocents currently enjoying the hospitality of Guantanamo Bay. Diversity and Tolerance? Well, look no further than this topic!
The Guantanimo Bay issue is a massive moral quandary that's an extremely divisive issue in the US at the moment. We've got no real "good" solution to the mess the Bush Administration has created. It's a very complicated problem, and a source of shame for the United States.
I complained about the aspect of your culture wherein you are repeatedly told you're the best in the world, like a child with special needs.
You stated in your post that you believed that through their education, Americans are implanted with some kind of racist instinct stemming from their patriotism because "most great Americans are white." I gave examples to show that the achievements of minorities in the US are heavily celebrated, and that racism is very heavily condemned throughout a child's education.
Also, thanks for not-so-subtly calling us retarded.
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