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We're all 'American-Canadians' now
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| LazFX |
I think I will pick up this book :::
| quote: | We're all 'American-Canadians' now *
Andrew Cohen's book The Unfinished Canadian brilliantly skewers anti-Americanism
By Dianne Rinehart
The Hamilton Spectator
More articles by this columnist
(May 12, 2007)
It's lonely being pro-American in Canada -- and sometimes at a dinner party, after a good ration of wine, slightly dangerous.
But why should it be so?
The friendliest city I've ever walked in -- and I've visited scores on five continents -- is New York. The most pristine beach I've ever stood on is in Florida. The best food I've ever eaten -- sorry Italy, France! -- is in California's Sonoma Valley.
Still, you won't hear many people admit that.
No, we love to hate America -- and Americans.
We sniff that our medical system is superior to theirs, then sneak down to their world-class clinics when we fall sick.
We call ourselves peacemakers and Americans warmongers -- but do the math on peacekeeping assignments and the United States comes out ahead. It picks up 26 per cent of the annual $5 billion budget for UN Peacekeeping, and despite the fact it's slightly distracted by the war in Iraq, it currently has twice as many UN peacekeepers in the field as Canada.
Meanwhile, we sniff our disdain for Hollywood movies, though we attend them in droves (as we should, they make some of the best) -- while completely ignoring our own.
And as author, journalist and Carleton University professor Andrew Cohen points out in his intelligently argued and entertaining new book, The Unfinished Canadian (McClelland & Stewart, $29.99), which delivers both amusing and incredible insight into the Canadian psyche, we're not afraid to attack Americans -- not only when we're wrong, but when we know we're wrong.
Consider former Prime Minister Paul Martin's 2005 election campaign "chiding" of the US over its commitment to the Kyoto accord.
"The United States lacked 'a global conscience' for reneging on its obligations under Kyoto," he said, though America's emissions have risen 13 per cent since 1990 while ours are up 24 per cent.
"Rebuking the Americans on Kyoto -- fully aware that Canada's record was even worse than America's -- was trafficking in hyperbole and hypocrisy," Cohen notes. So why do it? Anti-Americanism wins votes.
And we think their politicians are pathetic?
How about our snobbery that we're multiculturalists and bilingual ("Quoi?" dit le Quebec!) -- and they're not. Consider, Cohen asks, that of the 41 million Hispanics in the United States, 31 million speak Spanish at home, and that automatic tellers in major cities provide instructions in Spanish and English, as ours do in English and French. Or that "in 1973, 78 per cent of students in public schools were white, and 22 per cent were minorities while in 2004, 57 per cent were white and 43 per cent were minorities." Or how about this: A 2005 Ipsos-Reid poll reported: "When asked whether people from diverse backgrounds would be better off if they became more like the majority, 44 per cent of Canadians said yes in contrast to 38 per cent of Americans."
"Is this a melting pot?" Cohen asks rhetorically. Say no more.
Here's another: They're fat and we're fit! Ahem. Cohen reports half of Americans are fat, while a third of Canadians are. And, alarmingly, he says: "The rate of growth in obesity is about the same on both sides of the border." And I've interviewed Canadian obesity experts who say our adult obesity rate is already at the halfway mark, and that 37 per cent of our children are also overweight. So who's calling whom fat?
While myth bashing quickly gets the point across, Cohen's chapter on the American Canadian (the others he analyzes are the Hybrid, Observed, Unconscious, Casual, Capital, Chameleon and Future Canadians) also makes a strong analytical case that suggests our values are converging with those of Americans.
In the end, the American-Canadian "watches American movies and television, wears American jeans, listens to American music, reads American books and magazines.
"He drinks coffee at Starbucks, eats hamburgers at McDonald's and ice cream at Ben and Jerry's," Cohen notes. "He aspires to the American Dream, whether it is represented by minivan or an SUV, and the greatest obstacle to achieving it isn't desire but money."
Oh yeah, they're better at creating wealth -- which they use to feed the world, promote democracy and human rights, and defend the free world -- than we are. Now there's a difference we can be proud of.
In short, Cohen points out: "If Canadians were really anti-American, we would have to denounce ourselves, or everything about our country and our place in it."
So how does he define us? "We are contradictory, inconsistent and, yes, occasionally hypocritical."
In short, we're not so different from Americans as we may like to believe. And those of us who value the freedoms that attract refugees and immigrants the world over think that's a good thing.
Vive l'Amerique libre!
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| star-traveller |
| I can see Canada as a 51st state of the US in future, it's allright with me. |
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| shaolin_Z |
| Two words: Pathetic asskissing. |
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| HardTranceProd |
Sigh... sooo many inaccuracies in this article.
Like for example America being a "melting pot". It is NOT a melting pot, not even close. It is an Anglo-Saxon country which an Anglo culture.
but I'm not gonna bother explaining this... too little time. America, far from being a place of diversity, is actually (surprisingly) a place of conformity and firmly delineated social networks.
If you didn't grow up here and if you didn't go to college or high school in America i don't expect you to understand this.
In the COR somebody posted about a "Greek day" on campus and this girl from Canada ("Frenchie") immediately thought it was something to do with Greece, like an international party on campus. LOL. I rest my case. |
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| Jake Benson |
| quote: | Originally posted by HardTranceProd
Like for example America being a "melting pot". It is NOT a melting pot, not even close. It is an Anglo-Saxon country which an Anglo culture. |
Well, it's an unequal melting pot. There's no racial mixture in the middle, but there sure as hell is where I live in LA (Russians, Armenians, Persians, Mexicans, Thai, Korean, Ethiopeans, etc).
| quote: | but I'm not gonna bother explaining this... too little time. America, far from being a place of diversity, is actually (surprisingly) a place of conformity and firmly delineated social networks.
If you didn't grow up here and if you didn't go to college or high school in America i don't expect you to understand this. |
Who is going to understand your point when your "not gonna bother explaining this"? America is too diverse, although I'll agree that in some aspects it is not.
| quote: | | In the COR somebody posted about a "Greek day" on campus and this girl from Canada ("Frenchie") immediately thought it was something to do with Greece, like an international party on campus. LOL. I rest my case. |
And that supports your theory how? Someone also posted about a Hi5 site in the COR and I thought they were talking about AIDS. |
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| HardTranceProd |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jake Benson
Well, it's an unequal melting pot. There's no racial mixture in the middle, but there sure as hell is where I live in LA (Russians, Armenians, Persians, Mexicans, Thai, Korean, Ethiopeans, etc).
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First of all, "diversity" does not necessarily mean "ethno-racial diversity". I'll give you just one example: American colleges/universities. If you're not part of (1) Greek life or (2) sports organizations, American colleges have no social life. If you're not interested in the two things above, you are pretty much a social outcast with few friends. Intriguingly, some experts believe this is why the Virginia Tech killer was so ostracized and alienated. How's that for "diversity"? In European colleges, for instance, social life is not all about 2 specific things, marked by social cliques. Indeed cliquiness is much less noticeable even in non-acadamic settings.
But in terms of your more conventional understanding of "diversity", I have something to say as well. LA isn't really representative of America.
In March I went on a Spring Break vacation in Panama City, FL. The students there were from Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and other Southern states. I was the ONLY guy there with dark hair. There weren't even any Latinos at all (although there were some blacks). Most students were Anglo, with fair features and blond hair.
You see, the "diversity" that you talk about pertains to places in America that were settled by immigrants. That's usually the Northeastern cities (NY/Chicago) and LA. But very few immigrants settled outside of these well-known points. America is otherwise solidly white Western European racially, and also a foreign accent for instance is rather unusual.
OH OH and one more thing -
If you wanna watch TV, what are your options? Pretty standard: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, HBO. What's so "diverse"? (with the notable exception of Public Broadcasting, the only good TV channel). Your options are limited.
If you wanna grab some food - what are your options? Pretty standard: Quizno's, Subway, McDonalds, Potbelly, Starbucks.
If you wanna listen to radio - what are your options? Not many. The standard stations that cater to 'mass-appeal' music, top40 stuff. Nothing unusual or alternative.
You see, America's franchising and market economy doesn't really lend itself to... er... DIVERSITY. |
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| Jake Benson |
| quote: | Originally posted by HardTranceProd
First of all, "diversity" does not necessarily mean "ethno-racial diversity". I'll give you just one example: American colleges/universities. If you're not part of (1) Greek life or (2) sports organizations, American colleges have no social life. |
Right, because there's no such things as dorms or off-campus housing. :rolleyes: And those who live in dorms or apts are surely lonely.
| quote: | | If you're not interested in the two things above, you are pretty much a social outcast with few friends. |
That's based on a faulty assumption that greek life and sports organizations are the only two social norms college life has to offer. Those are the two most common ways of college life, but that doesn't hinder anybody's capability of forming their own clicks or social gatherings. When I was on campus, I saw a lot of popular kids who didn't play sports or join a frat.
| quote: | | Intriguingly, some experts believe this is why the Virginia Tech killer was so ostracized and alienated. How's that for "diversity"? |
You can't rule out that individual differences play into account, i.e. chemical imbalance. Moreover, I think I read that the kid always had a troubled life and fitting in prior to college.
| quote: | | But in terms of your more conventional understanding of "diversity", I have something to say as well. LA isn't really representative of America. |
What about New York, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, New Orleans, Chicago, D.C.? They all seem to be growing in ethnic diversity. If you really push me (and I have time) I'll look at the top 10 cities and ethnic trends over the past 100 years and then post them. If anything, I think they're all increasing in ethnic diversity. After all, who are the largest groups of immigrants these days, Europeans? No. Mexicans and Asians.
| quote: | | In March I went on a Spring Break vacation in Panama City, FL. The students there were from Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and other Southern states. I was the ONLY guy there with dark hair. |
Well it looks like you went to a segregated place. I went to visit my dad in DeRidder Louisiana and the town still has a section where specifically ALL the black people live. That doesn't mean that non-slave states are as segregated. Next time go take your Spring Vacation in Miami, Fl.
| quote: | | There weren't even any Latinos at all (although there were some blacks). Most students were Anglo, with fair features and blond hair. |
Really? Well maybe if you go to more than ONE spring break vacation in more than ONE city, you'll find that there's more diversity.
| quote: | | You see, the "diversity" that you talk about pertains to places in America that were settled by immigrants. That's usually the Northeastern cities (NY/Chicago) and LA. But very few immigrants settled outside of these well-known points. America is otherwise solidly white Western European racially, and also a foreign accent for instance is rather unusual. |
Yeah you're right to an extent. But look at the trends now. The Mexicans are travelling farther North and the Asians are ALL up and down the West Coast.
| quote: | OH OH and one more thing -
If you wanna watch TV, what are your options? Pretty standard: ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, HBO. What's so "diverse"? (with the notable exception of Public Broadcasting, the only good TV channel). Your options are limited. |
Your point would be valid if the year was 1957, which it is not.
Your point would also be valid if there was no such thing as cable, satellite, or internet, which there are such things.
| quote: | | If you wanna grab some food - what are your options? Pretty standard: Quizno's, Subway, McDonalds, Potbelly, Starbucks. |
Don't forget Wendy's, Burger King, Astro Burger, Dicks, Bossa Nova, Toi Thai, Sweet Chili Thai, Cafe Vegan, Sammy's Thai BBQ, Kiku, Tokyo Garden, Gate of India, Arby's, Coffee Bean, etc. That's just a sample of places I've been to, many of which are not chains.
| quote: | | If you wanna listen to radio - what are your options? Not many. The standard stations that cater to 'mass-appeal' music, top40 stuff. Nothing unusual or alternative. |
Okay I agree with you 100% on that, but onyl within the context of AM/FM. You now have options to listen to satellite radio which gives you PLENTY of diversity. And if you still don't like that, you can always shop at iTunes, Beatport, or hell, make your own music and listen to it.
| quote: | | You see, America's franchising and market economy doesn't really lend itself to... er... DIVERSITY. |
You see, I just gave you examples and reasons for how it DOES. |
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| HardTranceProd |
By the way it's funny that you mention LA. I visited in 2004. I remember seeing a guy in some random bar in LA who was wearing a shirt that said, "Don't speak English? Get the out." As a matter of fact, I went to that bar the same day I arrived in LA.
Of course one anecdote doesn't prove anything, but... true story.
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When I was on campus, I saw a lot of popular kids who didn't play sports or join a frat.
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This is very surprising to me, and runs counter to my experience. Any other forum members willing to share their thoughts on this?
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After all, who are the largest groups of immigrants these days, Europeans? No. Mexicans and Asians.
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On a bus or subway in Canada, you're very likely to run into people of the following ethnicities: Portuguese, Croatian, Russian, Polish, Italian, Romanian. Please don't tell me they're not coming to North America, because they are, in large numbers. The founder of this forum (TA) is a Portuguese immigrant living in Canada, for instance.
But I have rarely seen people of these ethnicities in the US.
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Well it looks like you went to a segregated place.
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Not segregated, like I said it was full of students arriving from other places. They were arriving from KY, AL, TN, etc. And these places are overwhelmingly Anglo. Otherwise, I would have seen more blacks or Latinos or Arabs, wouldn't I?
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Your point would also be valid if there was no such thing as cable, satellite, or internet, which there are such things.
.... You now have options to listen to satellite radio which gives you PLENTY of diversity. And if you still don't like that, you can always shop at iTunes, Beatport, or hell, make your own music and listen to it.
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OK. But how many Americans take advantage of that? Most people in this country are quite sheltered and maybe too lazy to explore what's available to them outside of their safe little zones. Note that this is still the exact OPPOSITE of "diversity".
That's exactly why people who work in the tourism industry always say that it's easy to tell if someone is an American tourist, because, when abroad, they will usually flock to the "M" or "KFC" signs, for instance, instead of making the effort to sample local culture and cuisine.
I don't want to belabor the point, but I do want to make clear that the myth of "diversity" in the US is profoundly misunderstood and very much flawed. |
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| DJ Shibby |
So let me get this straight...
This guy thinks that the friendliest people...
are the people of New York?
This HAS to be a satire. |
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| Dj O'Callaghan |
| quote: | Originally posted by HardTranceProd
Sigh... sooo many inaccuracies in this article.
Like for example America being a "melting pot". It is NOT a melting pot, not even close. It is an Anglo-Saxon country which an Anglo culture. |
I'd only apply the term Anglo Saxon to people from British descent, but at the same time anciently the UK isn't a pure Anglo Saxon country. In general a lot of indiginious Brits will come from Anglo Saxon stock though even the UK is a severly bastardised nation due to countless migrations Romans, Vikings, Normans, Celts etc.
Too much migration into the States, from all over the shot. |
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| Fir3start3r |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ Shibby
So let me get this straight...
This guy thinks that the friendliest people...
are the people of New York?
This HAS to be a satire. |
Actually I did a recent poll where NY was pretty high on the list... |
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