07/23/2008: "Land of the free.."

I find it interesting (and more than a little ironic) that out of the majority of the people I know, I'm basically the person who has the most respect for America, the most love for the country, and the strongest belief in America and its inherent 'right-ness'. And yet, I'm the one who doesn't live in the country anymore.

That's one thing I've had to correct on more than a few occasions; I don't actually dislike America. I didn't leave because of any issues with the country, or even because I loved Japan any more than America. It's just the path that my life has taken me down (and it doesn't hurt that I certainly don't mind Japan). While I disagree with many of America's (and, indeed, the Western world's) social norms, I still believe the country as a whole is a great one. Where America has not been great, or may be lacking, there are many people working to fill in the holes. I believe the vast majority of the actions committed on behalf of American interests (and those of her allies) tend to be good, with an emphasis on righting wrongs. Of course there are flaws.. but America is a country that values difference of opinion and allows those that disagree to step forward and try to fix it, making for a better and better end result. It's not a perfect country, and it never will be.. but we do a great job at trying.

Now, to my point.. there's one thing that I really, really cannot stand about America and is the one saving grace of being here: the sheer joy in hurting other people, particularly anonymously. I hate this.. with a passion. It makes no sense to me, and I can't understand what joy people derive from wronging those that they cannot understand and will never see. A prime example: Walking along the street and people yell derogatory comments from a passing car. A car splashing you in the rain. Having people throw trash at you from a vehicle (in my case, it was a half-full coke can). Random posts on the internet, telling you that you are worthless and deserve to die (I had 23 of those on my Youtube account since the last month because I mis-stated a fact in a video I posted about my life.. it wasn't for mass-consumption).

In the years that I've been frequenting Japanese message boards, networking sites, blogs, and the country itself, I've never had any of these experiences. Anonymity is not an excuse to do whatever your sick heart desires here. There's still personal accountability for your actions. Even if no one knows you did it, you still did and are still responsible for that. Sure, this leads to massively high suicide rates.. but hey, otherwise it's great. In America.. I find this responsibility to be lacking, and that makes me a very, very sad panda.

Of course, Japan is not without its faults. They have plenty. Honestly, I'll never feel 'proper' here. I can do the right things, I can say the right phrase and perform the right social ritual, but it's still not 'me'. I always feel a little distant here, as this just isn't my country.

Give and take.. every place has some good and some bad. It's all about finding your best match by finding what you can learn to tolerate. I've said it for years.. but if you don't like a country, leave. I have no respect for people who sit around complaining about how much they hate America. Either get in politics and change things, leave the country, or stop complaining. Ironically, I have left America (though how long this will last remains to be seen).. even though I'm fine with it.

It's a funny world we live in.. it's amazing it works out, you know?


Jason

On Friday, July 25th, kat said:

you know...what if it's not that you hate this specific country, you just hate everywhere? heh ; )

i have been guilty of this in the past i guess. i don't hate America-i think compared to a lot of other countries we have a lot of more freedom and there are some really great things about this country but there are also some attitudes and other things about this country i detest. But as you say-there are things like that no matter where you live. So it's more of a problem with people i have i guess .....

You know, i mostly agree with what you're saying but every once in a while a good complaining session feels relieving-it's no good to get stuck in that mentality though.

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