This big-city girl is continually and rudely confronted with one major false presumption she had:
I was shocked to discover that Italians can be intolerant, racist, and homophobic. I've encountered many people who have no qualms saying things like, "I don't like Chinese" or "ALL southern Italians are all lazy and dirty."
Why did I think that the average European was more enlightened or tolerant than the typical American? Because they have socialized medicine? Because they experienced genocide firsthand during the war?
Hm. I need to think upon this some more.
6 comments:
So, what you're saying here is that Americans are better than Italians. YES! Italians suck!
Hm...you should come to Wisconsin instead. Cows never say bad things about others. MOOO.
yeah, I agree with k.mize. We are sweet in Wisconsin and you know it. ;)
I am sorry you've had to deal with hearing that kind of thing. I had the same experience when I was in Italy too.
It's a huge thing to understand (not accept, just understand) a country's prejudices. If you want this challenge full force, you'll travel to Eastern Europe. Isolation, grievances for historical wrongs, poverty, homogeneity -- they all contribute to it. It really is not that difficult to hate someone who is different. I'd say that sadly, we're all getting exceptionally good at it, whether we admit it or not.
Mike: Racist!
K. Mize and Lisa: I love WI, especially the people and cows.
Mooooooooo!
Nina: True, true. I know that I have to pause before speaking about Republicans. Speaking about past elections make me feel bitter if I don't pay attention.
(apologies for being so behind in my reading)
I was shocked (and disgusted) to read on the blog of a black Englishwoman (can't call her African-American, as she's not American and the Brits would never stoop to such posturing as calling themselves African-English or some such, but I digress) about the blatant racism she encounters in what we typically consider a much more civilized country. I'm not sure why I thought my compatriots were the only ones, but I suppose all people are tempted to make themselves feel better by disparaging someone else.
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