By EDUARDO PAZ-MARTINEZ
Editor of The Tribune
AUSTIN, Texas - The French reacted with clear pride: One of their own was again free. It was a stunning turn of events one does not often see, the freedom, we mean. This development that had Dominique Strauss-Kahn walking free in New York City called for outright glee in his native country, a land known for its pastries, its food, its museums, its culture, its delightful standing in the world. Strauss-Kahn had stood accused of raping a hotel maid and it was his status as a well-known Frenchman overseeing the influential International Monetary Fund that brought initial shame to his prideful nation.
America celebrates its declaration of independence today.
It does it, again, under darkened skies, under the threat of economic collapse, under the weight of internal roilings that cannot help but eat at its very foundation. Unlike the French, we Americans rarely find that one moment when the entire lot of immigrants can say we are together, united in this effort, this goal. We do it when those occasional Sept. 11s come around, hit us upside the head and shake the racism, the class wars, the bigotry off us, as if dandruff sailing off a homeless wino's hair at check-in time at that shelter in the bad side of town. Every nation has problems these days. We are not immune to the bankrupt coughings of Greece, the newfound financial might of China, the rebellious mess of Egypt and Libya, the pyscho-juking and spewing of North Korea and Iran, the slime of Afghanistan.
Yet, it is in this world environment that the United States, a pretentious idea that at times works beautifully and at others fails miserably, continues its march toward a better world. Externally, the problems are handled from the perspective of a nation; internally it is another matter altogether. Where do we go wrong? Why do we find comfort in segmenting ourselves. We are outrageous Republicans, we are under-achieving Democrats. We are Americans. It is the giddy roller-coaster ride we have known since that glorious day in 1776.
It allows us to be different, to think we're special, to think we're better, to think we're not this or that, to think everybody else is the problem, to think it's not us, it's them. Somewhere in there lived the dream. At one time, the dream seemed clear and possible. At one time, the dream seemed attainable for all. One Nation, Underway.
We like to think of ourselves as being the beacon of freedom, the place where the oppressed, the poor and the needy can find shelter from the storm. We shine the light on problems in Africa and in Russia and in the Middle East and in Central America. We note the failings of other countries and their leaders. We are experts at everything. We can spot a blooming dictator as easily as we spot a cultural trend at home. We are the world police, we are the world psychiatrist. It is up to us. No one else can do it. Let the happy French be the butterflies. Let them open the best museums, best cafes, best shops. It's okay. We have to vacation somewhere abroad.
It's part of the rolling freedom symphony, that brassy national conversation that blares between love and hate. It'll be fireworks in a Texas backyard, fiery words in an Idaho living room. We are America, home of the brave and land of the free.
It's freedom of speech and we should defend it all costs.
But it does tend to throw us apart.
Do yourself a favor today: Be nice, and say a kind word about your neighbor to your right to your neighbor on the left...
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14 comments:
Mr. Editor: I agree with your write up, to a point. The truth is that Americans give the appereance of bullies in the world stage.
The French, like the Germans, and the British project themselves as confident, they're not appoligetic, and their swagger projects it.
Of course people want to live here, America is the land of opportunity.
But our actions world wide deminishes the good America offers.
For these perceptions to change, America must market itself, differently.
we'll always be a fractured country. everybody wants to be Number One. Nobody wants to work anymore. It's all gime, gimme, gimme. America needs to work. damn good article.
I have traveled Europe extensively and will confess, European women, regardless of nationality, want to come to America.
Europe by it's nature has a flare, where good things will happen tomorrow. Like America, German's mascarade their dislike for minorities, but the dislike is there.
Of course, I deal mostly with the female gender. In fact, I am flying to Germany, Wertheim to be exact, to meet an old flame.
Hopefully, my stay will be joyful. I know she will make it very interesting. She always does.
Yes, my dear, I will sing you a song, every morning.
If America is going to continue being a leader, it must change it's ways. Anon, is right, people around the world see Americans as Bullies.
It's been a long time since America has been America. George W. Bush ruined it. He should be in prison with Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld. For life!
The End of the Oppresive Empire !!!
exellent article. agree entirely. to bad we don't think more about this.
Happy fourth of July, everyone, happy fourth of July.
Paz-Martinez say it isn't so, if Jerry McHale, thinks that the Palms Lounge and the Sportman's are prime cantinas, what world has this man being living in?
Common, Brownsville crowd, there is a world out there. For Christ Sake, no wonder the Valley is what is it is.
Once a Naco, always a Naco. No wonder Styling man doesn't hang out with these crowd.
Well, he is younger, Styling Man continue and don't ever fell on the believe that Brownsville is hip, bro it isn't.
Styling man, you are the man, a traveling man, yesserrie, if you it, flaunt it.
Maybe we should ask styling man to run for Mayor of Brownsville, what, who said, styling man would a harem of imported women, Brownsville city hall, a harem, of European women, sounds hip.
Better than what is there already, an old man running the city, God forbid, for 4 years.
Cheap cantinas, transvites, homos, wife abusers, child abusers, unemployed, wow, Brownsville is what it is.
The arrogant styling man, called himself a worldly man. Looks to me like the wanna be blonde he sports around put some weight. Her English is horrible. Pretty, yea, but she still lacks in other areas, sorry, styling dude. You don't get a break from me.
Is she the dumb moon goddess, lay off the tacos, girlie.
Why Do Mexican - Americans / Chicanos are so afraid to defend themselves against the ruling Anglo - Caucasian class, they just Obey them and follow them around ??
The moon godddess went to study physical therapy in San Antonio. She was part of the Harlingen scene.
Never was part of the Brownsville crowd. I hear the wanna be blonde is from Argentina.
Styling man doesn't fit into the mold of older man, with 100 year old ideas, La Movida bar, is a dump, like the 1-2-3 bar, and el 7 mares.
If the Brownsville oldies think The Palms and the Sportsman is the top of the creme, hell, no wonder DP-M jumped ship and moved North.
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