Anti-American prejudice.

[Machjo]

We talk about prejudice alot. gender prejudice, racial prejudice, religious prejudice, etc. But what about political prejudice (the whole right vs. left debate for example) or national prejudice (Americans are like this, Canadians like that, Chinese think this way, Iranians are like this, etc.). Why is it that we tolerate some prejudices but not others.

Imagine a thread like 'Blacks are dumb'. That would be torally unacceptable. So why is it that in Canada we'll tolerate a thread titled 'Americans are dumb'?

 

[Machjo]

Likewise with 'What Americans really think'? What about 'what Muslims really think'? Oops, that's become politically acceptable too. So what about 'What Caucasians really think' or 'What blacks really think' or 'What Christians really think' or 'What First Nations and Inuit really think'?

 

[Machjo]

We see this with Anti-Francophone and Anti-Quebec prejudice too at times.

 

[Goober]

We talk about prejudice alot. gender prejudice, racial prejudice, religious prejudice, etc. But what about political prejudice (the whole right vs. left debate for example) or national prejudice (Americans are like this, Canadians like that, Chinese think this way, Iranians are like this, etc.). Why is it that we tolerate some prejudices but not others.

Imagine a thread like 'Blacks are dumb'. That would be torally unacceptable. So why is it that in Canada we'll tolerate a thread titled 'Americans are dumb'?

Did I say all - No - So before you jump, look first - Then it's OK with me for you to Jump.

 

[Ron in Regina]

Free Speech. The Canada/U.S. border is an imaginary line on a
map. Stand someone from Windsor and some one from Detroit of
the same socioeconomic & educational status together and could
you figure out which one was which if they didn't spill the beans
themselves? Same with Saskatchewan & North Dakota, or Oregon
and BC...

Ironically, residents of the U.S.A. and Canada are all Americans.
North Americans....but Americans none the less. Somehow that
gets lost in many of these types of discussions.

 

[L Gilbert]

Yup. Unfortunately, that's one of the results of politics. It's a divisive affliction.

 

[Toro]

We tolerate some prejudices because it comforts us.

 

[Goober]

We tolerate some prejudices because it comforts us.

We tolerate some prejudices because it comforts us from fears that are mostly unfounded - Thought I might add to what you wrote - As I do agree with your original statement.

 

[CDNBear]

We tolerate some prejudices because it comforts us.

Toro, a close friend of ours once said anti Americanism is actually internalized anti Canadianism misdirected.

 

[gerryh]

Toro, a close friend of ours once said anti Americanism is actually internalized anti Canadianism misdirected.

What a pile of crap!

 

[shadowshiv]

What a pile of crap!

So it's safe to say that saying was not uttered by you?;-):lol:

 

[gerryh]

sometimes, antiamericanism is justified

 

[Machjo]

sometimes, antiamericanism is justified

Is any prejudice ever justified. Why can't we direct our criticisms at a specific person or organization? Is it really so difficult to do that it's preferable to just stereotype an entire nation?

 

[CDNBear]

What a pile of crap!

Tis an opinion Gh.

As it was explained to me, and I'm probably mangling a rather fine argument here...

You see, here Canada, due to the mediocre history tought in schools, the constant bombardment of the media and misguided politicians, on how we need to find our "Identity". People have begun to believe we haven't one. This undoubtedly leaves many with a sense of wanting of pride. They see a Nation so exuding pride and honour, that they feel the need to poke at it, knock it off it's pedestal and blacken its eye, to feel better.

I agree, I think if we a s a Nation were truly comfortable in our skin, we wouldn't need to knock other Nations to feel better about ourselves.

"We may not be much, but at least we aren't American"...now that's a pile of ****!

That is all.

 

[CDNBear]

sometimes, antiamericanism is justified

That said, knowing my history, as you do, does that make my anti Islamic stance justified?

;-)

 

[gerryh]

Is any prejudice ever justified. Why can't we direct our criticisms at a specific person or organization? Is it really so difficult to do that it's preferable to just stereotype an entire nation?

Mad cow..... softwood lumber..... steel...... hydro........ false accusations concerning 9/11.......... these are all things that we have been screwed by the americans with.......... Don't use the old tired..."it was the american government, not the people".... as the american people are so fond of telling everyone....they live in a democracy where the government is by the people and for the people.... therefore the people are responsible.

 

[gerryh]

That said, knowing my history, as you do, does that make my anti Islamic stance justified?

;-)

rofl...... bear...I'd tell ya to do something....but I'm not ready for Ron to time me out again.

 

[CDNBear]

rofl...... bear...I'd tell ya to do something....but I'm not ready for Ron to time me out again.

So I guess I can take that as a 'yes'?

 

[shadowshiv]

rofl...... bear...I'd tell ya to do something....but I'm not ready for Ron to time me out again.

That's what your PM function is for(that way Bear can give you a proper rebuttal without incurring our wrath either).;-):lol::lol:

Just kidding!8O Just try not to rip each other to shreds tonight.;-)

 

[Machjo]

Mad cow..... softwood lumber..... steel...... hydro........ false accusations concerning 9/11.......... these are all things that we have been screwed by the americans with.......... Don't use the old tired..."it was the american government, not the people".... as the american people are so fond of telling everyone....they live in a democracy where the government is by the people and for the people.... therefore the people are responsible.

The government represents at least 50% + 1 of the population, but not necessarily the whole people.