OT Anti-Americanism 'feels like racism' article - any thoughts/opinions/comments?

RoksGoldenSmile · Apr 22nd, 2006, 06:38 AM

I also found this article... which I find pretty sad and wanted to share it with you... I'm curious as to your opinions/thoughts about this, has anyone here (I know at least one person here who has) been brought up in the US but then moved and lived abroad like esp. in the UK and if so have you encountered anything like this? if so, what did you think about it? did you expect anything like this etc.

Anyway here's some of the article:-

Quote:

Anti-Americanism 'feels like racism'

As a US citizen living in London, Christian Cox says she is shocked at the amount of abuse she receives because of her nationality.

She says the level of anti-Americanism she has experienced "feels like a kind of racism".

"I don't want anyone to feel sorry for Americans, or me, I just want people to realise that we are dealing with hatred too," she says.

Typical British pub banter is one thing, says Christian Cox, but the "pure hatred" she says is directed at her for being American is really starting to wear her down.

The former model moved to London a year ago, where she is setting up her own business, and has been surprised at how some people have reacted to her nationality.

Ms Cox, 29, says she has been called, among other things, "terrorist", "scum", "low life", and feels that she is constantly being held to account for the actions of President Bush and for US foreign policy.

This is despite the fact that she doesn't agree with the war in Iraq and didn't vote for Bush.

You can read the rest of the article as well as alot of comments left by people on this subject (both British and American), here:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4881474.stm

I think this is an interesting topic...

journalistic · Apr 22nd, 2006, 06:52 AM

Absolutely disgusting.

BsbBroksGirl · Apr 22nd, 2006, 07:02 AM

Um, thank you to the people who voted for Bush I suppose?

American leaders haven't always made popular decisions but it seems like ever since Bush got elected and started his Iraqi crusade everyone else looks down on us. I've been asked why I would support such a President..don't look at me, I sure as hell didn't vote for him. Gotta loveee the amendment for the 2 term limit.

**DoubleEdgeSword** · Apr 22nd, 2006, 07:53 AM

You got that right. We'd be looking at another King George.

2Bad2Believe · Apr 22nd, 2006, 08:55 AM

Yes, I experienced a lot of that in England. That was before Bush, too..

RoksGoldenSmile · Apr 22nd, 2006, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleEdgeSword

You got that right. We'd be looking at another King George.

emjay · Apr 22nd, 2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BsbBroksGirl

Um, thank you to the people who voted for Bush I suppose?

Um, No?

You're just as bad as them, for 'blaming' this on the people who voted for Bush. Being treated like that for a leader's decisions, regardless of whether or not you voted for him, is terrible.

StarGlitter7609 · Apr 22nd, 2006, 12:20 PM

I'm not surprised.

**Whoda Thunk?** · Apr 22nd, 2006, 12:26 PM

It sucks to be treated poorly for any reason beyond your control. Having said that, we have Americans that are guilty of treating non-American born people as poorly, if not worse, based on the fact that they weren't born in America.

Delancey · Apr 22nd, 2006, 12:30 PM

sometimesone has to be in a situation to really understand what it really means to treat mankind with respect.

poppy · Apr 22nd, 2006, 02:09 PM

the problem is that people tend to generalize...noone outside the US likes Bush, and yet he was voted twice, so people are ticked off at Americans, lol, which I think is stupid...I always go by the "if you're nice to me, I'm nice to u" I would NEVER judge people like that, I might not like some americans, and I HATE their goverment,(I HATE mine too and I adore my country

) but is not like I'd jump at any american, lol, I'm a Backstreet Fan and they're american, that says something...I must say that I KNOW that some americans do that too...like after 9/11, people see anyone that looks from the Middle East and they're already jumping on, and treated like ..when maybe is just people that actually LOVE the US and are living a good life there...is not EVERoOne in the US, obviously but it happens..I understand they're scared, but that's not reason to react like that cuz is only gonna make people hate "Americans" even more, I mean, how can you expect people to react when someone that wants to live a good life as an american is been given hell?

the percolator · Apr 22nd, 2006, 02:09 PM

Was Tony Blair re-elected?

toots6674 · Apr 22nd, 2006, 08:16 PM

What disgusts me are celebrities (ie Madonna) who rake America over the coals every chance they get, but still use us to make their money. People like that make me ill. The media doesnt help our country out any as well. Every other country in the world knows are business. People stand on national TV and bash our President at every turn. Other countries, sadly, think we are a joke. What irritates me is that when we need help (ie 911), no one will help us, but you can bet when they need help during a crisis, those other countries are the first to put their hands out and ask us for our support.

the percolator · Apr 22nd, 2006, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toots6674

What disgusts me are celebrities (ie Madonna) who rake America over the coals every chance they get, but still use us to make their money.

That's how I feel about Bono. He's always criticizing the U.S., but you can always count on U2's annual U.S. tour.

toots6674 · Apr 22nd, 2006, 08:43 PM

My sentiments exactly.

Apr 22nd, 2006, 06:52 AM	#2
journalistic Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 3,222	Absolutely disgusting. __________________ Well behaved women rarely make history.

Apr 22nd, 2006, 08:55 AM	#5
2Bad2Believe Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: where the show is.. Posts: 31,734	Yes, I experienced a lot of that in England. That was before Bush, too.. __________________ Oh, Mexico, instead we're drinking margaritas in the snow As the world, you know it slowly falls apart... http://www.myspace.com/sparkstherescue

Apr 22nd, 2006, 12:20 PM	#8
StarGlitter7609 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: I'm your density Posts: 8,671	I'm not surprised. __________________ I'm not a snob ask anybody...well, anybody who matters -Simon Le Bon myspace

Apr 22nd, 2006, 12:26 PM	#9
Whoda Thunk? Boxer of ears Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Stuck in a moment Posts: 20,626	It sucks to be treated poorly for any reason beyond your control. Having said that, we have Americans that are guilty of treating non-American born people as poorly, if not worse, based on the fact that they weren't born in America. __________________ Thanks to "Jennay" for the avy!

Apr 22nd, 2006, 02:09 PM	#11
poppy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Special Hell Posts: 13,735	the problem is that people tend to generalize...noone outside the US likes Bush, and yet he was voted twice, so people are ticked off at Americans, lol, which I think is stupid...I always go by the "if you're nice to me, I'm nice to u" I would NEVER judge people like that, I might not like some americans, and I HATE their goverment,(I HATE mine too and I adore my country ) but is not like I'd jump at any american, lol, I'm a Backstreet Fan and they're american, that says something...I must say that I KNOW that some americans do that too...like after 9/11, people see anyone that looks from the Middle East and they're already jumping on, and treated like ..when maybe is just people that actually LOVE the US and are living a good life there...is not EVERoOne in the US, obviously but it happens..I understand they're scared, but that's not reason to react like that cuz is only gonna make people hate "Americans" even more, I mean, how can you expect people to react when someone that wants to live a good life as an american is been given hell? __________________ Maneth Eruvadhril twitter coming soon...The Backstreet Noise Project http://community.livejournal.com/backstreetnoise/ Family don't end with blood.

Apr 22nd, 2006, 07:02 AM	#3
BsbBroksGirl Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Was in paradise, NYC now. Posts: 42,097	Um, thank you to the people who voted for Bush I suppose? American leaders haven't always made popular decisions but it seems like ever since Bush got elected and started his Iraqi crusade everyone else looks down on us. I've been asked why I would support such a President..don't look at me, I sure as hell didn't vote for him. Gotta loveee the amendment for the 2 term limit.

Apr 22nd, 2006, 07:53 AM	#4
DoubleEdgeSword The Modulator Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 30,059	You got that right. We'd be looking at another King George.

Apr 22nd, 2006, 12:30 PM	#10
Delancey Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,207	sometimesone has to be in a situation to really understand what it really means to treat mankind with respect.

Apr 22nd, 2006, 02:09 PM	#12
the percolator On Vacation Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: behind u Posts: 4,621	Was Tony Blair re-elected?

Apr 22nd, 2006, 08:16 PM	#13
toots6674 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,241	What disgusts me are celebrities (ie Madonna) who rake America over the coals every chance they get, but still use us to make their money. People like that make me ill. The media doesnt help our country out any as well. Every other country in the world knows are business. People stand on national TV and bash our President at every turn. Other countries, sadly, think we are a joke. What irritates me is that when we need help (ie 911), no one will help us, but you can bet when they need help during a crisis, those other countries are the first to put their hands out and ask us for our support.

Apr 22nd, 2006, 08:43 PM	#15
toots6674 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,241	My sentiments exactly.