The days of arrogance of being American are over for me. I remember as a child when I went back to Taiwan to attend school for a couple of months, there was an overwhelming positive feeling towards the US by everybody from the kids to the adults. I definitely enjoyed this feeling, and helped me be proud to be an American.
Recent events and the process of growing up has tempered my unconditional support for the US. I believe I see both the positive and negative side towards American capitalism and independence. It feels like many Americans are still completely unaware, unconcerned, and possibly in denial towards the slide in perception of American values and products.
What got me writing about this is reading an article today regarding Floyd Landis. Floyd has an amazing story of conquering his hip problem to becoming a top cyclist in the world, and has in this 2006 Tour de France been in the lead for major parts of the race.
After Floyd declared that he sees himself winning the Tour this year, the very next race he falls from first to 11th place due to a “bad day”. Floyd is said to be a confident person, so maybe this is just bad timing or just Floyd’s overconfidence; however, just a couple months ago in the World Cup, the US once again underestimates their opponents.
It was all over the news that US was the “dark horse” in the tournament, and the team exudes a confidence that they will once again reach the quarter-finals. Quickly and brutally American Arrogance was squashed when they failed to win a single game.
My perception of a slide I think started during the 2006 Winter Olympics where US suffered a decline in overall medal count. I think what caps it off is Lindsay Jacobellis’ pre-victory celebration that cost her the gold medal. Can I call her action arrogant? Lets not even bring up the next American skiing hope, Bode Miller.
Sports and athletes represent the country, and it seems like the values of our athletes reflect the values of our country’s leaders. In our current state of foreign affairs, have we not also talked about easy victories and even celebrated victory prior to true victory?
I’m concerned about our arrogance.
Was introduced today to India Arie by Neil Conan on the NPR show Talk of the nation. When I think of recent African-American singers, I am hard pressed to find somebody with a positive uplifting social agenda. A songstress with beauty in her voice all the way to the message behind the lyrics.