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jawnbcI just finished reading ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
bookbear's heartfelt posting regarding Bowling for Columbine and his visceral reaction to it. His posting is passionate and biting--and has already generated a thread of nearly 40 entries (including his contributions/responses). Of course, since he dares criticize Merka, a few have been rather pissy. Being passionate will do that I suppose.
So I"m gonna weight in here, as someone who left Merka a number of years ago. But to over-simplify what follows, I love Americans but loathe many aspects of Merkun society.
Being an American is a decidedly mixed bag, though from the public sphere Down There you wouldn't guess it. The overwhelming discourses are that everyone's happy (or should be). Despite consuming anti-depressants and other psychoactive meds (not to include self-medication through "unprescribed" drugs) at rates much higher than nearly every developed Western nation. Happy happy, joy joy. Or that everyone's successful (or should be), though working families have largely lost the ability to support themselvesm as corporate America has out-sourced manufacturing work to the developing world. But hey, why pay $20 an hour when you can pay $2 a day?
OK there's a couple of quick and dirty observations, but more importantlywhy are these things happening, and why aren't these sorts of disparities common knowledge among Americans--particularly those whose lives are negatively impacted by these trends ? My theory is that Merka is individualistic competition in its extreme form--even when there is ample evidence that this dynamic too often leads to dishonesty, aggression and isolation.
Case in point: the Olympics. A few years ago Summer Sanders ( or Saunders?) qualified in 5 or 7 or 10 swimming races in the Olympis, as a teenager (I think she was 15 or 16). First race, where she was favoured as the world record holder, she finishes second. A US reporter grabs her coming out of the pool and says, "you failed, what happened?" Summer looked stunned and heartbroken--and the harsh wording of the question couldn't have helped her. World champion or not, she was a teenager. 15 years old, silver medal at the Olympics, and a failure. That's fooked. Get some perspective people.
Another example: college and university admissions. I was streamed at age 13, a decision that dramatically impacted my options throughout life (in my case, a gifted stream). From then on I was encouraged to view my friends as competitors for scholarships and awards. We "gifted" were told to attend elite universities; to end up a "state school" would have beeen "a waste of time." We started studying for our SATs in year 9, though we wrote them in year 11. Our results--in class and on standardized tests--were anounced like sports scores: kudos to the top of the heap, scorn too often to the rest. And several of us were weeded out, almost always working class kids (like me, though I stuck it out) though it was presented as self-selection. And those who were eliminated often said they were glad, that they didn't fit, that it wasn't for them. Of the 30 or so of us, nearly everyone who stayed in the programme was the son or daughter of a scientist or a lawyer or physican--in other words, the kids of university-educaed professionals. Rather than offering individualized attention to students not challenged by regular curricula, we were simply speeded up. So much for "gifted."
And Merkun society is supposed to be about family and community. But certain families (nuclear, white) and certain communities (urban/suburban, white) are posited as good, with all others being lesser or unacceptable. The influence of Xtian notions of family life are ubiquitous, though often denied because "we have separation of church and state." Ask a single Mum how welcome and valued she feels on parent conference night. Rural education in Merka has been in its own unique crisis since the 60s, since school taxes are largely locally collected. Having a shopping mall in your district and you're hooked; no commercial tax bases, you're fooked. Poor families that unravel a bit under the strains of poverty are wrenched apart instead of provided help (support services, not $$,although that'd be OK too). And after all, it's their own fault. For not trying hard enough, not working hard enough, not being good enough, not being the right kind of family.
Canada is not paradise. We have disparities and injustices too. But there is an over-arching value of individual excellence, rather than a wholly competitive means of measuring success. In other words, the personal best is....great. But folks here don't accept rampant individualism--and when the interests of individuals are in conflict with community interests, a slight favouring of the community occurs: our anti-vilifications laws against hate speech being a good example. Rather than trying to compartmentalize complex issues into simplistic, facile boxes, we seek complex answers. And if there's a hard and fast decision to be made with respect to profit and the public good, the odds aren't bad that profits come second. For example, having access to health care is a right of all Canadians; our systems are far from perfect, but one doesn't need to bring a chequebook to hospital or to see one's own primary care physician. We have this thing called The Charter of Rights and Freedoms: it maps out entitlements and responsibilties. It acknowledges grey areas (example: religious beliefs and some social justice issues like homophobia and racism), and even allows for a "cooling off period" if justice measure needs to be implemented, but society clearly isn't ready.
There's been some talk of invoking this "notwithstanding" clause regarding gay marriage. But it most likely won't happen--a slight majority of Canadians support gay marriage. A clear majority of Canadians think religious leaders have no business trying to tell a secular government what a legal term (marriage) is supposed to mean. Religions is fine; theocracy isn't.
Canada encourages excellence. It also encourages care and consideration. The notion of exploiting one's neighbours for individual gain is anathema to our idea of neighbourness. And part of that is a strong commitment to fairness, and the ability to differentiate between what is fair and what is popular. Part of the reason why things like same-sex marriage, while controversial, don't boil over into violence. And the idea of civility is pretty common too: disagree on principle, not on superficialities. People can often move beyond their discomfort with gay marriage, if one can make a compelling, reasoned argument for fairness. I don't miss the semantic battles of queer activism in the States. Up here we seem to be better about hashing things out face-to-face, without it unravelling.
And I do mean we. For I am Canadian, in my heart and soul. And American, though I'd toss the passport tomorrow if I had to choose. Since arriving here in late 1989, I've lost my anxiety about health care (despite having one of the most lucrative private insurance plans in NY) and violence (35 homicides a year in a city with about 2 million people). I've been called on the carpet about being too selfish and self-centred--and been equally lauded for becoming a team player. I've participated in shaping Canadian human rights policy. I've worked with activists and researchers from Africa fighting AIDS. And I've been encouraged to further my own education, including doctoral studies.
I've been encouraged to be the bestjawnbc I can be. Because achieving my best allows me to contribute to my communities, making them their best. Not a day goes by that I'm not humbled and grateful for all Canada represents to me. And if these sorts of values don't resonate with you, Canada ain't for you. I've determined that the States ain't for me: particularly after accusations of being a Communist for supporting socialized medicine. Yeah, yeah, wodevah.
Sobookbear, why not contact the Canadian Consulate in Chicago and enquire about emigrating? Or at least coming here on a work visa (teachers generally can do so quite easily)? Take us for a test drive, and see if the Canadian way works any better for you. But do remember that emigrating to Canada is very competitive; no one gets in easily.
Not even Americans. It's a priviledge, not a right.
bookbear's heartfelt posting regarding Bowling for Columbine and his visceral reaction to it. His posting is passionate and biting--and has already generated a thread of nearly 40 entries (including his contributions/responses). Of course, since he dares criticize Merka, a few have been rather pissy. Being passionate will do that I suppose.So I"m gonna weight in here, as someone who left Merka a number of years ago. But to over-simplify what follows, I love Americans but loathe many aspects of Merkun society.
Being an American is a decidedly mixed bag, though from the public sphere Down There you wouldn't guess it. The overwhelming discourses are that everyone's happy (or should be). Despite consuming anti-depressants and other psychoactive meds (not to include self-medication through "unprescribed" drugs) at rates much higher than nearly every developed Western nation. Happy happy, joy joy. Or that everyone's successful (or should be), though working families have largely lost the ability to support themselvesm as corporate America has out-sourced manufacturing work to the developing world. But hey, why pay $20 an hour when you can pay $2 a day?
OK there's a couple of quick and dirty observations, but more importantlywhy are these things happening, and why aren't these sorts of disparities common knowledge among Americans--particularly those whose lives are negatively impacted by these trends ? My theory is that Merka is individualistic competition in its extreme form--even when there is ample evidence that this dynamic too often leads to dishonesty, aggression and isolation.
Case in point: the Olympics. A few years ago Summer Sanders ( or Saunders?) qualified in 5 or 7 or 10 swimming races in the Olympis, as a teenager (I think she was 15 or 16). First race, where she was favoured as the world record holder, she finishes second. A US reporter grabs her coming out of the pool and says, "you failed, what happened?" Summer looked stunned and heartbroken--and the harsh wording of the question couldn't have helped her. World champion or not, she was a teenager. 15 years old, silver medal at the Olympics, and a failure. That's fooked. Get some perspective people.
Another example: college and university admissions. I was streamed at age 13, a decision that dramatically impacted my options throughout life (in my case, a gifted stream). From then on I was encouraged to view my friends as competitors for scholarships and awards. We "gifted" were told to attend elite universities; to end up a "state school" would have beeen "a waste of time." We started studying for our SATs in year 9, though we wrote them in year 11. Our results--in class and on standardized tests--were anounced like sports scores: kudos to the top of the heap, scorn too often to the rest. And several of us were weeded out, almost always working class kids (like me, though I stuck it out) though it was presented as self-selection. And those who were eliminated often said they were glad, that they didn't fit, that it wasn't for them. Of the 30 or so of us, nearly everyone who stayed in the programme was the son or daughter of a scientist or a lawyer or physican--in other words, the kids of university-educaed professionals. Rather than offering individualized attention to students not challenged by regular curricula, we were simply speeded up. So much for "gifted."
And Merkun society is supposed to be about family and community. But certain families (nuclear, white) and certain communities (urban/suburban, white) are posited as good, with all others being lesser or unacceptable. The influence of Xtian notions of family life are ubiquitous, though often denied because "we have separation of church and state." Ask a single Mum how welcome and valued she feels on parent conference night. Rural education in Merka has been in its own unique crisis since the 60s, since school taxes are largely locally collected. Having a shopping mall in your district and you're hooked; no commercial tax bases, you're fooked. Poor families that unravel a bit under the strains of poverty are wrenched apart instead of provided help (support services, not $$,although that'd be OK too). And after all, it's their own fault. For not trying hard enough, not working hard enough, not being good enough, not being the right kind of family.
Canada is not paradise. We have disparities and injustices too. But there is an over-arching value of individual excellence, rather than a wholly competitive means of measuring success. In other words, the personal best is....great. But folks here don't accept rampant individualism--and when the interests of individuals are in conflict with community interests, a slight favouring of the community occurs: our anti-vilifications laws against hate speech being a good example. Rather than trying to compartmentalize complex issues into simplistic, facile boxes, we seek complex answers. And if there's a hard and fast decision to be made with respect to profit and the public good, the odds aren't bad that profits come second. For example, having access to health care is a right of all Canadians; our systems are far from perfect, but one doesn't need to bring a chequebook to hospital or to see one's own primary care physician. We have this thing called The Charter of Rights and Freedoms: it maps out entitlements and responsibilties. It acknowledges grey areas (example: religious beliefs and some social justice issues like homophobia and racism), and even allows for a "cooling off period" if justice measure needs to be implemented, but society clearly isn't ready.
There's been some talk of invoking this "notwithstanding" clause regarding gay marriage. But it most likely won't happen--a slight majority of Canadians support gay marriage. A clear majority of Canadians think religious leaders have no business trying to tell a secular government what a legal term (marriage) is supposed to mean. Religions is fine; theocracy isn't.
Canada encourages excellence. It also encourages care and consideration. The notion of exploiting one's neighbours for individual gain is anathema to our idea of neighbourness. And part of that is a strong commitment to fairness, and the ability to differentiate between what is fair and what is popular. Part of the reason why things like same-sex marriage, while controversial, don't boil over into violence. And the idea of civility is pretty common too: disagree on principle, not on superficialities. People can often move beyond their discomfort with gay marriage, if one can make a compelling, reasoned argument for fairness. I don't miss the semantic battles of queer activism in the States. Up here we seem to be better about hashing things out face-to-face, without it unravelling.
And I do mean we. For I am Canadian, in my heart and soul. And American, though I'd toss the passport tomorrow if I had to choose. Since arriving here in late 1989, I've lost my anxiety about health care (despite having one of the most lucrative private insurance plans in NY) and violence (35 homicides a year in a city with about 2 million people). I've been called on the carpet about being too selfish and self-centred--and been equally lauded for becoming a team player. I've participated in shaping Canadian human rights policy. I've worked with activists and researchers from Africa fighting AIDS. And I've been encouraged to further my own education, including doctoral studies.
I've been encouraged to be the best
jawnbc I can be. Because achieving my best allows me to contribute to my communities, making them their best. Not a day goes by that I'm not humbled and grateful for all Canada represents to me. And if these sorts of values don't resonate with you, Canada ain't for you. I've determined that the States ain't for me: particularly after accusations of being a Communist for supporting socialized medicine. Yeah, yeah, wodevah.So
bookbear, why not contact the Canadian Consulate in Chicago and enquire about emigrating? Or at least coming here on a work visa (teachers generally can do so quite easily)? Take us for a test drive, and see if the Canadian way works any better for you. But do remember that emigrating to Canada is very competitive; no one gets in easily.Not even Americans. It's a priviledge, not a right.
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2 penny's worth...
Date: 2003-09-21 06:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-09-21 06:41 am (UTC)Thanks.
no subject
Date: 2003-09-21 07:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-09-21 10:12 am (UTC)Yet Canada is also in the grip of the "tall poppy syndrome" - individual excellence is sometimes overtly discouraged. As much as I love Vancouver and yearn to go back (a few years, probably), I found it to be distinctly anti-intellectual. Coming to the Bay Area and meeting people who actually want to discuss something in depth was new for me.
But both Vancouver and I have changed in my decade down south. Vancouver has become more cosmopolitan, and I've become more rustic.
The past two years down in the US have been disturbing and alienating. I'm not used to living under an Evil Government, or among a populace under the grip of mass hysteria. Some days, the urge to turn tail and run has been really strong. If I didn't live in the Bay Area, I probably would have done so already.
Yet when I return to Canada, it's still stuck in the same basket-case politics as it was when I left; pervasive corruption, giant scandals, wasted efforts. On the whole, though, it still seems preferable. Incompetence and venality is so much easier to deal with than outright cruelty. ;-)
Re: 2 penny's worth...
Date: 2003-09-21 12:15 pm (UTC)And I'm a social democrat. There is no true left in the States, only a centre-right and far right political spectrum. And I got tired of human rights being put after the economy. Every time.
But the States isn't all a mess...and I posted a more laudatory message on 04/07.
You love your country, I love mine. We both win, eh? ;)
no subject
Date: 2003-09-21 12:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-09-21 12:19 pm (UTC)I think this is still true, but it's also changing. Canadian pride seems to be growing, and the idea that someone doing world-class work (of any sort) is about ego just doesn't hold water like it used to.
Oh, did I forget to the mention the politics in BC are fooked? ;)
no subject
Date: 2003-09-21 10:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-09-22 05:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-09-22 06:50 am (UTC)Wait--is there Mexican food? Last time I lived outside of Merka, I had to pay $137 to get to a burrito.
Ivan and I were both surprised and happy to find out my immigration score is 69. Woohoo!
no subject
Date: 2003-09-22 08:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-09-22 10:42 am (UTC)...hehehe...
;-)
no subject
Date: 2003-09-22 04:26 pm (UTC)