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Ignorance isn't bliss
Here is an email i received from a friend of mine from Toronto who is currently living in Italy. It's some good insight into how ignorant many people are becoming:
We all know that there are ignorant people everywhere. I have quickly
come to realize that ignorance is a rapidly spreading disease which
needs to be put in check. You all know that I spent a large portion of
my life living in the United States. I cherish that time, the
experiences, and friendships. I consider the United States my other
home. I defend America when Europeans here lump everyone togetether and
blame the entire population for the war in Iraq. I tell these people
not to assume everyone is at fault, that the current policy is not
representational of the entire population. It really gets to me when
assumptions are made based on little or no knowledge of the true
sentiment back home.
I can also see why Europeans make these assumptions. Here are a few
stories, quite upsetting to me. They are not upsetting because of any
personal attack I received or hurt feelings. They are upsetting because
of the realization that too many people are ignorant. It has quickly
become apparent to me that the largest issue in the coming election is
entirely about war. It should be about waging a war on US soil. A war
to stop the ignorance from spreading. I don't have the answers. I don't
know if it is the school systems, the social arenas, the media. I just
know that there is a problem.
A group of friends went to lunch at a restaurant in Trastevere (the
neighbourhood I live in). A great debate started about baseball. Who
was the best team, who has the best pitching staff, is Barry Bonds
taking steriods. I finished a sentence and within miliseconds the girl
sitting next to me (from Texas) said, with quite a snarl on her
lips, "What the hell do you know about baseball. Don't they play hockey
in Canada?" I replied "Yes we do play hockey in Canada, but amazingly
they let us start playing baseball just a few years ago. And by 2012 we
might be allowed to have running water." My sarcasm was not appreciated
and she went into a tirade about how I was eating. "And another
thing... you aren't eating properly. Your fork is in your left hand and
it shouldn't be." This coming from a girl who was cutting her food with
her fork... her knife hadn't left the table. You might argue that young
people don't know any better. This woman is 35 years old, and was a
preschool teacher in Houston for 7 years before quitting and moving to
Rome. She has 2 bachelor degrees and a teaching degree. She was
responsible for the early education of 7 years worth of students.
Last night I was working. A women's division 1 NCAA basketball team
came into the bar. They are in Italy playing some of the local
professional teams. These girls all took the SAT's, they were all
excepted into a University, they all have some college experience under
their belts. I was talking to a few of them and suggesting a few places
to go, some specialty drinks we serve, etc. I mentioned long Island ice
tea. One of the girls, with a great snarl on her face, said to me "What
do you know about long island ice tea? Aren't you Canadian?" I looked
at her and replied "I really hate ignorant Americans." She paused for a
second, thought about what she had said and returned "that was really
rude of me wasn't it?" I told her it was and she appologized. This girl
has the brains, she knew what she said was ridiculous and uncalled for.
(Not excusing my response which, I admit, was probably a tad harsh.)
Again, she is a university student, assumingly well educated. What
would be the cause for her first instinct to be an insulting one and
completely ignorant?
My last story takes the cake. I met a boy from Kentucky, I don't know
much about him except he is traveling around Europe with a group of
friends. Here is how a short conversation with him went. K = Kentucky
boy, J = me... as a side note, he had the thickest drawl I have ever
heard... I will try to spell his words as he pronounced them
K: so where you frum anyhow?
J: I live in Toronto
K: Taranta... Taranta... ummm... oh yehaw... that'd be in Utah right?
J: No, Toronto is in Canada.
K: Canida... Canida... oh yehaw isn't that the place across there
border?
J: Yes, Canada is across the border.
K: What states it near?
J: What states is Toronto near or Canada?
K: Ummm... Taranta I guess.
J: Toronto is near Michigan and New York.
K: OH Mitchigin. Huv ya ever bin to South Bend? I hear it's mad crazy
parties dun there.
J: South Bend isn't in Michigan, it's in Indiana.
K: Ahh wudeva... I hear it's fuuunnnnn.
At that point I excused myself and went to another bar, for the rest of
the night. How was someone this ignorant allowed to exist. By exist I
don't mean he should be naturally selected, I mean how is it possible
to be 21 years old, have a vote, apply for and receive a passport, be
allowed to travel to other countries, and have, at best, a first grade
education? I think at times like these is when I miss home the most. I
miss being surrounded by people of intelligence. (Not to suggest none
of my friends here are smart!!!) I miss a University campus where I
know an engaging subject is behind every door. I miss being at work,
communicating with people from around the continent about business
deals. Having difficulties communicating with Italians is exciting and
drives me to communicate more. Dealing with the ignorance that has
followed me from my own home makes me want to come home. Dennis Leary,
the comedian, once asked "Why does the media always seem to get the
dumbest redneck for an interview regarding a serious subject?"
Why indeed? Why are our loudest, most recognized representatives our
worst representatives?
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Who cares big deal...let me be stupid. I don't really understand why people calll it ignorance though...it's just stupidity.
