The Real Deal About the USA
Unlike me, many Americans don't care if people in other countries understand them. Maybe they're tired of trying, maybe it barely even crosses their mind. But I care. I know the world is more connected than it seems, that sometimes pain in the wrist is caused by a problem in the elbow, and that world peace begins with understanding. So here are some distinctions about the US that my travels have made me think young, non-Americans should better understand about this misrepresented country.
20th Century America
The United States is probably still the world's most powerful country – but it's a far cry from what it was in the 20th century. Some would say that 9/11 is what changed everything – it certainly didn't help – but there were a lot of factors at play. I am not going to go into all the ways it changed, I'm pretty sure there's already some record of that. I just want to point out that 20th and 21st century America should NOT be confused – and that I am from the former. This despite the fact that I was technically born in Canada. But that's a whole other matter. You should just take my word for it, that I am American through and through, if you can't tell already (the Citizen of the World part is confusing, I know, but no one cares).
The truth is that the US hasn't recovered from 9/11 yet, maybe it never will. Like the pretty cheerleader who got raped by some shithead with an STD – the States still hasn't regained its former glory. We made an effort, but it's been WAY too slow. If it were up to me, I would've immediately killed that shithead, his family, and all his friends. I would have quickly obliterated entire countries if they gave me the old bullshit routine. That's what real Americans do. But as I said before, the America I'm from no longer exists. Hopefully it comes back. Until then, the whole world will pay the price in wasted time. Those who die before the future arrives can think about whether I had a point in the afterlife.
21st Century America
Fat-ass America. Crony capitalism America. The America where most don't even care what cronyism is. The America that, much like Britain, is just living off the accomplishments of its predecessors. This is one of the countries that I am a citizen of, on paper. But they are not me. They are something else, a shadow of what they were. If you want to associate me with them, go ahead, but we're just not the same anymore.
Lower Class America
Unlike Europe and many developed countries with a large middle-class, there is a stark divide between upper and lower class Americans. A lot of the bad stereotypes the outside world likes to point out about Americans really only applies to the lower class, and it's not always their fault: obesity, lack of travel, poor education, etc. I don't think the outside world realizes that they are usually making fun of people who don't yet have much choice.
Upper Class America
By "Upper Class" I don't mean "Rich America," that could be it's own category. I just mean, people of some wealth. Educated, attractive, etc. These are the Americans you've met vacationing who don't always realize when they're breaking local social norms. You can make fun of them too, but not to their face, only in your head, or when you think they're not around.
Other America
Americans are well aware that there are other countries in the Americas besides us. We also know that all their economies and militaries combined don't add up to a quarter of our power. In other words, they have been lazy. It's not like they don't matter – they do – but not as much. That is why we are The Americans and they're called something else.
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