As for the issue of race relations, there's another key difference between the US and Europe: colonialism. Most Europeans, and especially those whose countries ruled a colonial empire up to the 1960s, watch the current mess in Iraq with amusement.... Of course, Americans don't plan to settle in Iraq, they don't intend to populate Third-World countries with their surplus workforce. Yet, just like the Belgians in Congo, the French in Indochina and Algeria, or the Brits in India, Americans want to run the place, impose their laws and turn hostile wannabes into harmless satellites.... And that, even more than white settlers, is the gist of colonialism. On that account, Europe and the US have switched places: in the 1960s, the US was in the throes of civil unrest and black revolt against domestic colonialism (Jim Crow,...) whereas lily-white Europe was struggling to disengage herself from colonies overseas. Somehow, Rev M.L. King and Malcolm X were the domestic versions of third-world leaders Patrice Lumumba and Ahmed Ben Bella.
There are many facets to the issue of race. I don't think what we are doing in Iraq is one of them. Whether you call it colonialism or nation building, race may play a part but its not central to the issue. There are certain elements in American society that believe we have the best gov'tal/economic model, and want to replicate it thoughout the world as well as protect our access to oil. They are increasingly becoming a minority. Therefore things may well change in the next few years.
Back to the original topic.......you have not shown given me any proof that Europeans are as racially sophisticated as Americans. In fact, there is considerable evidence to the contrary. I have already pointed out a couple of examples and there are more. For an example, I was surprised that putting one's picture on one's resume is common practice in Germany. My German friends could not understand why I was so surprised. Whereas an American would understand my reaction immediately.
ted |
