Dear Canadian Friends, I love Canada, I love the land, I love your hospitality, I love your people. As an American I love being in Canada, except during the Winter Olympics. I love that my Canadian friends forget that Im American and are willing to openly talk about how they root against the arrogant Americans. What I dont love is the accusation that Americans in general are arrogant and how we Americans should lose to be taught a lesson. (Those arent always the exact words, but the general sentiment stated) I am an American and proud to be. I dont agree with what all Americans do some, any or even most of the time. I dont always agree with our federal, state or municipal governments decisions or actions (just like Im not saying all Canadian agree with Rob Ford or Steven Harper, to name a few). And though I am proud, as many Americans are proud of their nationality (some even of their state, city or neighborhood) this does not mean Im arrogant. Arrogant requires an intentional choice resulting in words or actions. If an individual has a false belief or is ignorant (as we all are from time to time) and they act upon that ignorance does that make them arrogant? By definition no. Intentional or unintentional arrogance requires: 1) overbearingly assuming 2) Insolent Pride 3) Entitlement If all three are not present there is no arrogance. Confidence is often mistaken for arrogance. I am confident I am the best book Marketer in the English speaking world today. But my confidence of this position doesnt mean I think Im better then you or anyone else. Its simply a confidence I hold in myself. My experience of most Americans is not that they are arrogant rather, those who could be accused of being arrogant (and Id argue those are the minority) are either ignorantly confident or they are simply over confident. The accusation that an individual or group of individuals is arrogant requires that you (in this case those Canadian friends who Ive recently heard bagging on the arrogant Americans) can A) rank Americans in each of the three areas listed above B) rank all other first world country using the same objective criteria C) assuming that citizens of the United States qualified as arrogant, compare the American arrogance scores against the arrogance scores of other 1st world countries. That is to assume there is an objective way to test the hearts and minds of enough people in America and other first world countries. I find it insulting and appalling that any group demonize another group in the fashion Ive experienced in Canada. In fairness, I see this happen in the United States as well. In sports fans of teams like Alabama and Arkansas will hate (literally hate) the fans of the opposing team. In Utah, where I was born, sports fans of the University of Utah hate fans their in state rival fans of Brigham Young University. Similar to my experience with Americans loving Canadians, my experience of BYU fans is that most of them root for University of Utah athletic teams, except when they compete against BYU. Similarly, most Americans root for Canadian athletes and teams, except when they compete against Americans. I find this type of prejudice absurd, in sports, between countries, political parties etc... In fact, I find this type of ignorance bordering the exact type of hubris that Americans are being accused of by my Canadian friends. I will concede many Americans can be selfish, conceded, proud and loud. I know many arrogant people, from many countries, USA, Canada, Russia etc... because some Americans are arrogant doesnt mean all (or even most) Americans are, this logical fallacy falls prey to Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc, and makes Americans no more or less arrogant then Canadians. For my friends who disagree Id urge you to read the book The Culture Code by Clotaire Rapaille. This book gives a better explanation as to why different cultures behave in different manners, and will support why Americans are not arrogant (hormonal teenagers perhaps or even ignorant but not arrogant). Im certain many will view my post this evening as much ado about nothing. But it is much ado about something, Friends, I love each and everyone of you. And while the impetuous of my writing was hurt and frustration, my true aim is to call for acceptance and understanding. Patience and love. Patriotism is a wonderful thing, supporting your nation, community or team is awesome. I will spend the next week rooting for Canada, except when Canada competes against Americans. And no matter the outcome this coming week (including in mens and womens hockey) I will still love, respect and honor my Canadian friends. So please, enough with the lets beat the arrogant Americans and lets agree to have a fun and fair competition. Good luck to Canada and its athletes. Go America. Love Michael R Drew
Posted on: Sun, 16 Feb 2014 02:45:50 +0000
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