Often I criticize your country, your government and even the whole of American society. Am I guilty of blatant Anti-Americanism?
No country is perfect - and hardly any remaining lonely HyperPower can be perfect as well. I think all countries are guilty of stupidity, selfishness, hypocrisy and nationalism. More vital societies are guilty of violence, terrorism and imperialism as well. China, Iran, Israel, Russia, Saudi Arabia are far from perfect.
But even when you Americans feel attacked by protestors in Baghdad, Berlin or Tokyo - know this: we pay attention to you, because we care. Friends do watch friends. And friends tell friends, when they think something is wrong or could be done better. And even your enemies might spot a truth about your country and shove it into your face. Nobody is perfect.
We hated Nixon, we loved the King - but who didn’t?
You would be amazed my dear Americans how many of your friends watch your internal politics very closely. Every US election is an important topic for almost any other country. The person who runs America is handed a global leverage. If your country makes big decisions the rest of us face it’s consequences as well. If your banks go bust - some of ours do too. If your economy gets shaky, ours wobble as well. If you attack someone, we also become targets, combatants and allies. America you don’t stand alone - you are deeply connected with your friends and your enemies.
Many people from so called industrial nations have traveled to your beautiful country, watched your movies, listened to your musicians, ate your food. We love American culture and sometimes we despise it. Hypocrisy? No, we don’t have to love and consume everything you produce - and you don’t love and consume everything of your own culture as well. We all choose what we like and we all find something stupid about our own cultures as well.
Culture? Imperialism? Americanism? Or simply a cheap and easy way to eat that appeals to everyone?
The Age of Enlightenment is the foundation on which American was built and Europe was transformed by it as well into a modern society.
We share the same admiration for rule of law, equal rights, freedom of religion, separation of power, social justice, human rights, capitalism, democracy and consumerism. Most countries on this planet aspire to follow that path - because it is so far the most ‘humane’ form of government we humans have created. Plus globalization transforms us all - brings us closer and makes us more the same.
In Tehran young girls have almost as many nose jobs as girls in LA or London. There are polish Country and Western singers, there are German Cowboy and Indian festivals and there is a McDonalds at almost every major street on this planet. American Idol is a British invention, Japanese people are crazy about Baseball and the best Cricket Players are Indians and Pakistanis.
We all laughed about Borat - because every culture has it’s own hypocrisy, oddities and funny bits.
The credo of the future is Mix & Match. We take bits and pieces from each other’s culture and blend it with our own local affairs.
America has so much to offer the rest of the world.
Remember that my dear Americans. Remember all the good stuff you have developed and you can share with us. Remember that community and progress were always your greatest strengths. Remember to make friends and share the fruits of your civilization as we shall share ours with you. In the end there is only one planet and one people.
We love you America!
