The National Anthem in Any Language
As Americans we often shrug our shoulders in confusion when people tell us that the "international community" looks at us with nothing but hate and resentment.
Sociologists call it ethnocentrism, the idea that people view their own culture as the correct culture. While we're all guilty of it from time to time, for example when you giggle at the Saudis formal wear or your jaw drops upon seeing ear lobes stretched to the point of scraping the ground in tribal Africa, we can at least make an effort to realize our way of living isn't the only way of living.
When President Bush shunned the Spanish version of "The Star Spangled Banner," he gave us a good indication why our country remains divided by race, heritage, language, religion within our own nationl borders, let alone why we remain resented by most of the world. He put on display, for many already bitter neighboring nations, how self absorbed and arrogant we as a country have become.
In any language, the singing of our National Anthem means you are proud of your country. The music may sound slightly different to a foreign ear, but the meaning isn't lost in translation. As cliche as it has become, we are a country that was built with the sweat and blood of immigrants, and immigrants remain our vital backbone. Pride in the United States is not exclusive to the tough talking cowboys of Texas, or the stuffed shirt blue bloods of Massachusetts, or anyone in between.
Attend a football game or a sporting event and listen to the hesitant mumbles scatter across the crowd where the National Anthem is supposed to be sung. Then tell me we don't need to add a few proud voices to the choir.
Sociologists call it ethnocentrism, the idea that people view their own culture as the correct culture. While we're all guilty of it from time to time, for example when you giggle at the Saudis formal wear or your jaw drops upon seeing ear lobes stretched to the point of scraping the ground in tribal Africa, we can at least make an effort to realize our way of living isn't the only way of living.
When President Bush shunned the Spanish version of "The Star Spangled Banner," he gave us a good indication why our country remains divided by race, heritage, language, religion within our own nationl borders, let alone why we remain resented by most of the world. He put on display, for many already bitter neighboring nations, how self absorbed and arrogant we as a country have become.
In any language, the singing of our National Anthem means you are proud of your country. The music may sound slightly different to a foreign ear, but the meaning isn't lost in translation. As cliche as it has become, we are a country that was built with the sweat and blood of immigrants, and immigrants remain our vital backbone. Pride in the United States is not exclusive to the tough talking cowboys of Texas, or the stuffed shirt blue bloods of Massachusetts, or anyone in between.
Attend a football game or a sporting event and listen to the hesitant mumbles scatter across the crowd where the National Anthem is supposed to be sung. Then tell me we don't need to add a few proud voices to the choir.
