first off.. sorry, this is a long rant. ...
Funny. Tonight, I was chatting with someone I very recently met online. The usual convo ensued, how was your weekend? What exciting things are going on in your life? Ya know the usual kind of questions that you ask someone that you would like to learn more about. .. An interesting thing happened. Somehow the characters in the stories being told became not individuals, but were singled out by their nationality. "This Bulgarian, that Pakistani, the Arab. .." Then the comment "they don't betray their friends like americans" came out. ... I thought that was an interesting phrase.
First of all, I love conversations like this with people who do not have the same opinion as I do. I like differences. I like understanding differences. And if you have a different opinion than I do, I will challenge that opinion so I can understand why you think the way you do. And I expect my opinion to be challenged in the same way. I will simply ask why you think, believe or say what you do. Because, how am I supposed to understand your point of view if you do not explain?
The convo went on, like most of mine do in these situations. Me asking questions, trying to understand the person's thoughts or feelings about what they've said. I met that comment about Americans that betray with my typical, reaction: "What a blanket statement!.. Hrm" The previous comment intrigued me greatly! Anyway, the conversation continued with "Americans are the most narrow minded bigots of all" and "u guys lack loyalty".. etc. Each time something like this came out, I asked why this person, who I've had several amiable conversations with in the past, felt this way. And I was never met with a rebuttal. just more insults. Sad, very sad actually.. But still typical thoughts that I've heard from a lot of people. not just anti-Americanism, but anti-anythingism. Some from this country and and some from other countries. All of this is somewhat ironic considering what goes on in the news and real life in this country and other countries nowadays. Like you should know, that is, if you pay attention.
Think of what kind of country this would be if you were not free to share your opinion. If you don't like the government, you can voice your disapproval, pretty much any way you like. If you think someone, or some people, some nation or some religion is bigoted and racist, you can say it. And you can say it whether you are right or wrong. It's your opinion. It's your right as an individual.
Freedom of speech is just one of the many things that people fight and die for in this world. (and when I say world, I mean WORLD.) There are, however, enlightened people in this world who have understanding, who know what is to be human. We are all part of this world whether you like it or not. Not of one single opinion, nation, race or religion. But sadly, these people are not the majority. In fact they are very few.
We have members of Congress advocating blanket statements of hate even. Everyday people generalize their hate. It's sad. .. and only going to get worse I think. Ignorance is NOT bliss. In many cases, it's a choice. What do you choose?
I'm thankful that not only me, but others with differing beliefs can actually voice their opinions where I live. ... Some other countries, you could be beaten, jailed or hung for voicing your opinion.
