Moments of Permanence - February 19th, 2012

About February 19th, 2012

Idly 05:16 pm
I think Australia is a better country than the United States of America.

(Actually, I think Australia is a better country than just about any other country in the world, but the point I'm about to make largely applies only to the USA.)

I find it bizarre, now that I think about it, that some occasions when I have expressed this sentiment have offended and enraged Americans.

Some Americans - indeed, many Americans - seem to find the idea that anyone could think America was not The Greatest Country In The World to be insulting - and, on occasion, to believe that I didn't actually believe that, I was just trying to be offensive.

This is weird, because the thing is? I'm not American, and I have no obligation to love America. (I am, nonetheless, very fond of many Americans and many American-originated things, you understand. But I love American things on an individual basis and on merit as I perceive it, not as a default state of mind.)

I'm Australian, by upbringing and citizenship if not by birth. I grew up here. I don't remember residing anywhere else, and I love my home. There are many things about it to love, and many people here to love, too. Australia is a fantastic country - flawed, as are all things made by humanity, but nonetheless, a land worthy of love above and beyond the sentiment one naturally attaches to a place that is home.

I admit to a bias, because, as mentioned, this is my home, but nonetheless, I love Australia best.

But, like many other Australians, if someone tells me they think their country is better than mine, then my reaction will be: "Fair enough." Secretly, I will know that they are wrong, but I consider everyone to be entitled to be wrong about that. If for no other reason than that Australia can't actually fit everyone in the world in it, and we certainly don't have the water for that, and it would be terribly sad for everyone else to realise how much better Australia is and not be able to come and live here.

And I have the impression that as a rule, people from other countries have the same attitude. I've only really encountered people being angry that I love my country better than I love theirs from Americans.

It's weird.
Top of Page Powered by Dreamwidth Studios