"I hate America!"

from PolMach Forums
This was said in my honors English class a few days ago. (I'm a senior in H.S.) I was disgusted to hear others cry out "hell YES!" and "ME TOO!"

She didn't say, "I hate Bush," or "I hate the war in Iraq," or "I hate the election process," but instead: "I hate America."

America? Our one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all? Okay, maybe we're not there yet. Maybe America's still "working on" assuring everyone our inalienable rights.

Are we really so awful?
America, who spends more on foreign aid than any other country on this Earth? America, the nation of immigrants, which people flock to and even try to enter illegally just to become a part of it? America, which provides free education in an attempt to ensure that EVERY child has the chance to do better than his parents? America, which provides legal counsel to everyone to ensure that no one is jailed without a fair trial?America, which sure as hell ain't perfect, but is sure as hell trying?

When did it become OK to say, "I hate America"? It's always been OK, of course- that's the beauty of America. You can hate it all you like, you can sing it from the mountaintops and we'll just smile. But when did it get to the point that in a crowded room of bright, intelligent students, that no one would even question a girl saying, "I hate America!" ?

Aren't WE America? Students hurrying to class, single moms working two jobs, small business owners trying to get by, recent immigrants picking peaches to earn their way, college kids holding protests, workers striking for better wages, soldiers willing to give their lives at a moment's notice, clerks working at cash registers, wealthy CEO's playing golf, dirty politicians working on smear campaigns, and YES, even girls in English class saying, "I hate America!" Are we NOT America?

America is not just our government. Have we forgotten our government is decided by the people? We are America, fighting for our ideal of everoyne having an equal chance at life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Sure, we're not perfect-- name me a country that is!
I say to you, everyone who's ever said, "I hate America" - YOU are America, and so am I. If you don't like the direction the country is taking, you have the power to change it! That's what's great about our nation. Join a campaign for the candidate of your choice, join a group that's fighting for what you believe in. Or if you're just plain fed up, then leave! America needs people willing to WORK for change, not just sit around and complain.

And I, for one, will never again be ashamed to say that I love my country.

Sorry to ramble on for so long, please post your comments and criticisms!

politics
16,979 views 40 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top

People who make such stupid statements should put their money where their mouth is and leave. I sure as Hell know that if I hated wherever I was, I wouldn't be there. Of course, to them, it's trendy nonconformity and if they had to live anywhere else, they'd cry.

Reply #2 from PolMach Forums Top
Yeah, not to mention when they utter the phrase, they also offend Mexico and Canada, hell they need to get off the continent if they hate it so much, send them to ever democratic and free-speaking Mainland China, (Got nothing wrong with China just needs a NEW political outlook) maybe they can than spit on the graves of those students who died at Tianmenen Square protesting and wanting Democracy like the U.S., also make sure to remind them that if they said they hated whatever country out loud in that country, take for example Iran, she would be shot or hung, that is if she was allowed to go to school.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from PolMach Forums Top
I agree whole heartedly with Messy Buu! I have seen many other countries and while we are not by any means perfect, we are by far the BEST country out there. We have the most freedom (even to allow some fool to say I hate America), the best living standards, the best food, clothing, freedom of religion, etc. etc., etc., etc. For those who "hate" America - please leave and try living in another country. I bet you would come running back with your eyes wide open - that is if you were not killed or thrown in jail for saying what you think!
Reply #4 from PolMach Forums Top
I just don't understand how she could say something like that in a roomful of people, and while plenty of folks cried out their agreement, not one person said, "Now wait just a dang minute." Has it become UNPOPULAR to love your country even if it's not perfect? I took her aside after class and asked her about it, and she said that America's always spouting off our ideals, but we're not an ideal country. Does that even make sense?! How can you hate a country for promoting its ideals while still working on reaching those goals?
I don't know, it just seems like if you love your country, all of a sudden you're a brainless, flag-waving idiot who agrees with everything the government says and thinks America is a shining, perfect utopia.
Reply #5 from PolMach Forums Top
Hear Here, I love the US of A, doesn't mean we don't have problems, but compared to other nations, we aren't doing that bad.
Reply #6 from PolMach Forums Top
Hang in there MusiKitty! That girl hopefully will wake up one day. Like Messy Buu said, it is "cool" to be a non conformist for some reason when you are younger. Maybe she is starved for attention - she sure got some with a statement like that! Remind her about how other countries are like - in many of them she would not even be allowed to go to school much less say what she thought! Ask her to name a better country? Maybe we then could take up a collection and send her there! Sounds like she is just spouting off for attention or the common trendy non conformity actions and statements of youth!
Reply #7 from PolMach Forums Top
Wow, little_whip! I've seen your comments before, and I was kind of hoping you'd stumble in here! Thanks so much, I'm really honored you liked my article! Thank you! Thanks also for the great comments from the rest of you guys- I'm glad to know that there are other people who agree that America is a place worth living in!
Reply #8 from PolMach Forums Top
Ask her to name a better country? Maybe we then could take up a collection and send her there! Sounds like she is just spouting off for attention or the common trendy non conformity actions and statements of youth!


Good lord, that's a great idea there, fund raiser to send them to their so-called "beloved country". hehehehe
Reply #9 from PolMach Forums Top
! Of course the degree of "hate" may be the qualifier on how much aid is giving to the individual about to be deported! hehehehe
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Saying something about "American pigdogs" or "uncivilised Americans in their Hawaiian shirts" is one of the easiest ways to get a laugh in much of the world. Almost noone loves America amongst the educated outsiders. It's just too hard to reconcile the American people, who always seem like good people, with their governments, which appear to get off on inflicting the darkest despairs in the most godforsaken corners of the globe.

The US just has an image problem at the moment. It'll eventually pass just like Little Whip says it will.
Reply #11 from PolMach Forums Top
I thought it would never happen, but I actually agree with Messy Buu and little (minded) whip! WOW, I guess we can agree that we do like (I won't say LOVE or I will be accused of being a tax and spend, gay rights supporting, soft on defense liberal) our country!
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Just curious as to what set off this outburst? What was the class talking about that prompted her to yell this?
Reply #13 from PolMach Forums Top
vincible- we were having a discussion in class about a story we'd been assigned the night before. It was about the American dream and all that.
Reply #14 from PolMach Forums Top
Probably the fact that she can not speak english well, and got an F on a paper.
Reply #15 from PolMach Forums Top
Hey ShoZan,
Thats no need to get upset and burst out "I hate America". There is hope! After, all, our current president doesn't know english well and probably has received many Fs, but he was elected (sort of) president! JUST KIDDING!!
Reply #16 from PolMach Forums Top
! ShoZan, that's a very nice thought, but she's an American born 'n bred girl, who gets straight A's in all honors classes. She's no dummy, she's just... misguided? She's an ultra-liberal, and I guess she thinks America represents not liberty, but crushing weak little countries into submission so we can convert them into Christianity, destroy their culture, steal their gold and oil reserves, and then leave every nation in our wake a 3rd world country we can then reign supreme over. Of course, this could all be just speculation... I can't exactly see into her head.
Reply #17 from PolMach Forums Top
Tell her, that half of the people support her, but she has to remember that the other half doesn't.
In fact half maybe to optimistic and nice, more appropriate to say a 1/3 or less support her, and the other 2/3 don't support you and think you are a LOON.

Thats no need to get upset and burst out "I hate America". There is hope! After, all, our current president doesn't know english well and probably has received many Fs, but he was elected (sort of) president! JUST KIDDING!!


Yes, but I can only hope to graduate from college with, what did he have was it Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, something like that, well anyways I can only hope to graduate with that kind of honorage, hehe Well you would be suprised how much an accent affects the way somebody talks, heck some Midwesterners here in Indiana can't say Washington the right way, they say Wershington, or what about Boston and it's Chow-Dah, got to keep in mind people have accents, just be glad he doesn't have a slow southerner draw, or we would all fall asleep during the speech, though I had one in my time spent in Georgia, think it has to do with the heat and humidity and everything seems to slow down, oh well I talked enough.
Reply #18 from PolMach Forums Top
Maybe if we have a few more Americans hate this country, then we can all go to hell. Most of the people who say they hate this country don't really know what they are talking about. Some people say they hate this country because we have many poor people -- like that many countries better than us? Some people hate this country because we wage wars. Frankly, American wage more jusitified wars than most if not all other countries. I am not saying all of our wars are great, but certainly better than most other countries. Look at the French, they always complain our wars, like their wars are any better?
Reply #19 from PolMach Forums Top
Oh I just thought of this, next time she says I hate America, say to her "Well, I hate you." and rant on something good as to why you hate her and she shouldn't oppress your free speech to say so.
Reply #20 from PolMach Forums Top
! ShoZan! Are you encouraging a brawl??? ...but a good thought thats for sure!
Reply #21 from PolMach Forums Top
, ShoZan, there is the problem that she's a lot bigger than me... I think she could beat me up... ... But then she'd never fit in with the French she wants to join so badly ...
Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top
uncivilised Americans in their Hawaiian shirts


Hey! I resemble that remark!

Seriously, though, excellent article MusiKitty. Your post was a great read, and I feel that your sentiments are dead on. Such maturity (and writing skills) for a high school gal . . . great job!
Reply #23 from PolMach Forums Top
Wow, thanks, Texas! I feel so loved... I guess that's what happens when you're surrounded by people who agree with you... THAT doesn't happen much!!
Reply #24 from PolMach Forums Top
What can I say if she hates America so much give her the boot, and say come back when you have more than feeling, but the best non-violent approach was Pk's whole asking her where is the better country.

"People against non-violence should be taken out into the street and shot." - A Non-Violence Supporter Anon.
Reply #25 from PolMach Forums Top
I'm afraid, ShoZan, that since she's only in high school and still living with her parents, her moving to, say, Germany isn't really a viable option for her right now... I'm sure she'll probably leave after using our government's student financial aid programs to help put her through college. Isn't that nice?