What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

**dkgojackets** · 09-20-2008, 07:26 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

in before...

**Court_vision** · 09-20-2008, 07:35 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

Why would this be locked?

It's a genuine question.

I've never seen an Australian or British sports journalist come out with a quote about "freedoms"...yet both are as free as America, probably more so.

In fact, there's a hell of a lot of 'free' countries on this planet.

Yet I often see the US media refer to 'freedom' as though it's some sort of exclusive.

Is that what you guys are taught?

**SPTO** · 09-20-2008, 07:38 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

court vision because this will turn into a political football.

I'll just say look up "manifest destiny" in wikipedia. You'll find where some of this comes from.

**Court_vision** · 09-20-2008, 07:45 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

I don't want the thread turning into a political football...that's not my intention.

If the mods do feel that will happen...then feel free to lock it up.

But my simple question does remain...are people in the US taught in school that there's a tonne of 'free' countries in the world and the United Kingdom, Australia etc are all equally 'free'?

**Vince** · 09-20-2008, 07:48 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

I hope it stays open too.

I think it's a legit question and not CV being sarcastic...

**SPTO** · 09-20-2008, 07:52 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

Yeah it's a legit question. I'd like to know too.

The ultra patriotism is a little much sometimes. Then again, coming from a a Canadian where patriotism is more reserved maybe i'm not getting the right perspective on things.

**Court_vision** · 09-20-2008, 07:55 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

Originally posted by Vince

I hope it stays open too.

I think it's a legit question and not CV being sarcastic...

I'm honestly not being sarcastic.

My point comes from the fact that you'd never see an Australian or British sports journalist use rhetoric about freedom like that.

The way the writer portrays it...it's like the author believes the US is the only place on earth that has these freedoms.

Thus my question...maybe I'll email the author direct

**SPTO** · 09-20-2008, 07:58 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

Originally posted by Court_vision

Thus my question...maybe I'll email the author direct

If you do, and he answers please post the reply

**Chaos81** · 09-20-2008, 08:02 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

It embarrasses me that you guys even feel the need to ask this question and get an honest answer.

No, we aren't all that ignorant. To be honest, I don't remember what I was "taught" about the subject as that would have been a LONG time ago. Maybe SJ can answer it. I think he's probably the youngest "normal" member we have here.

**Brandon13** · 09-20-2008, 08:29 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

Originally posted by Court_vision

I don't want the thread turning into a political football...that's not my intention.

If the mods do feel that will happen...then feel free to lock it up.

But my simple question does remain...are people in the US taught in school that there's a tonne of 'free' countries in the world and the United Kingdom, Australia etc are all equally 'free'?

I don't recall having it drilled in my head in school that the U.S. is more free than other countries, however, there is no doubt that that line of thinking is prevalent throughout the country.

**bad_philanthropy** · 09-20-2008, 09:01 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

It is a legit question. It's something that is definitely a part of the common American psyche. Coming from Canada originally but living in the U.S. the past couple of years I have definitely noticed the line of thinking that other countries don't have the same levels of freedom or standards of living.

I've lived in both the South in the U.S. and the West, and neither shared/shares the same standard of living as the Greater Toronto Area. I also lived in England for a year and I would say the standard of living was higher there as well. As far as freedoms, there are many countries in the world that are at least on par with the U.S. The most surprising thing to me about the whole things is that some of the people I know who have these perceptions are well educated and quite intelligent. There are plenty of great countries in the world but there isn't a "greatest" one.

**jfsolo** · 09-20-2008, 09:29 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

I'm going to make a few generalization, but I believe that what I say will be on the mark.

I would argue that if you're an American, and are not involved in politics or academia, that you rarely consider the political freedoms, or structure of other Western democratic nations.

Sure its taught in school, but its not something that resonates with the average student. So the reality of how things are sort of slips out of the consciousness of most people, and all other nations get lumped into one of the polar opposite ideological camps like religious fundamentalism, or military dictatorship or the like.

I think if you were to have an actual conversation with Adande(the writer of the article) he would acknowledge the insular nature of his statements, but feel as though the hyperbole was warranted based on the point he was trying to make. Its a typical journalistic tactic here in the U.S., say what you need to say to get their attention. I'm sure nations such as England or Australia never entered his mind.

**bad_philanthropy** · 09-20-2008, 09:37 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

Originally posted by jfsolo

I'm going to make a few generalization, but I believe that what I say will be on the mark.

I would argue that if you're an American, and are not involved in politics or academia, that you rarely consider the political freedoms, or structure of other Western democratic nations.

Sure its taught in school, but its not something that resonates with the average student. So the reality of how things are sort of slips out of the consciousness of most people, and all other nations get lumped into one of the polar opposite ideological camps like religious fundamentalism, or military dictatorship or the like.

I think if you were to have an actual conversation with Adande(the writer of the article) he would acknowledge the insular nature of his statements, but feel as though the hyperbole was warranted based on the point he was trying to make. Its a typical journalistic tactic here in the U.S., say what you need to say to get their attention. I'm sure nations such as England or Australia never entered his mind.

Great post. You're completely on point in both instances. The writer's statement didn't really lend itself to perpetuate any sort of cultural ideology that exists within a large demographic of the American population. Just a journalistic tactic to make a point to an audience like you said.

I don't think that ignorance towards to global community is any fault of the American school system either. My wife was educated in a poor rural school district in the south and the system did an excellent job providing an education about all that is relevant in this discussion. Like JF said, the information just doesn't resonate for whatever reason.

**ohyeahbaby123** · 09-20-2008, 09:42 PM

Re: What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

I am in high school, and no, they don't teach this stuff in school. Quite honestly, we look at a lot of stuff from other countries perspective.

What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

Recommended Videos

What do they teach you guys (Americans) in school?

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment