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… to an angry Chally rant, I thought some of you would be interested in the post I’ve just put up on Feministe.
The United States is not the world. It’s not even the centre of the universe.
I know, I know, it’s shocking stuff. If I were polite, I would have offered you a seat first. But I am an uncouth foreignerWell that’s just too bad because you have frequently whipped the seat out from under me in the past. I shall illustrate how through the following fun fact-filled lessons.’
And is the comment thread ever going beautifully.
Hi – read your posts & all the responses to it. I agree about the US-centricness of people in the US. It pisses me off too. At the same time, here I am right in the middle of it. . . and it’s hard to get out, if that makes any sense. I know I am likely to make slip-ups. It mortifies me when I make big ones, and I am also always a little freaked out that I will do it and someone will NOT tell me about it but hold it against me anyway.
I have a question along those lines, but I’m not sure what it is, so I’ll keep thinking about it. Maybe it’s a question for myself – about how I should react when reading a post that attacks something I know I do even if I am trying not to. If that makes any sense. Or . . . how do I know if I’m guilty or not? Or . . . when someone is angry about an -ism I know I participate in, how do I know how wide of a net is being cast? Guess that’s the best I can explain it.
Also a more straightforward question about “people of colour.” Did I read you right in saying it’s not necessarily a good term outside the US? And if so, what is a better term?
Good post! I just saw the comments over at Feministe though – eek!
I’m sorry that there’s so much defensive crap in the comments. US centricism is definitely a fact. (It’s also a reason I won’t be looking forward to returning to the US after a year in Hungary and Spain. And perhaps part of the reason I, as a citizen of Hungary and Australia but merely an “alien” of the US, feel a bit alienated (oh, the pun was not intended, but it is fitting, isn’t it? This is why they can’t just use the neutral “non-citizen”) in the US, despite having lived there more than half my life and being white and having an American accent* and being able to pass as American-born and all that privilege.) And why I loathe American television news: Other countries do exist. Outside the US you never have to explain what and where the US is; its flood of pop culture will have done that already (often while wiping out the local market). It’s frustrating to have to do that for other countries that matter to you but do not exist in many people’s knowledge except perhaps in some misconceptions and stereotypes. Your post covers something that has long had to be said. And I loved that you brought up the prevalent US-centricism in discussion of race: “No one else has the precise history you do, that unique racial make-up, those particular constructions of what those identities mean” — yes. Another important topic (often related) is Anglophone centricism and language privilege. Which is particularly huge on the Internet and increasingly so elsewhere due to globalization.
*Of course, when I moved to the US from Australia my accent was not American but I did speak English. And got the question, “How did you learn English so quickly?” And “Do you speak Australian?” Obviously not all Americans are that ignorant (and these were not adults), but I will not forget those questions. (That and “Did you drive here?”)
Kristin: Yeah, I understand. It’s a difficult spot to be in. I guess all you can do is be aware and keep trying. And you can only correct stuff you know about, so don’t be too freaked out :).
Yep, a lot of people don’t like the term outside the US. Unfortunately, there’s no consensus as to a better term, it really depends on the country/community you’re in, and if that framework even applies. Personally, I use non-white, but a lot of people don’t like it because they see it as placing whiteness as the default. So I guess you can just use POC until someone asks that you not apply it to them or whatever! Sorry I can’t help that much!
Jess and Melinda – thanks :).
*applause*
Nice post :)
I am resisting the temptation to read the comments! Chally, I actually meant to say how great the post was when you first made it on Twitter (and I have a post half written in response), but it is still great!
Thanks! Wow stephanie, that’s so nice :D. And happy new year!!
Great post Chally. (I didn’t want to clutter up the thread over at Feministe). I meant to go home 15 minutes ago but couldn’t stop reading. I suspect there will be a lot more comments tomorrow too.
Thank you. I, ah, have something special planned for the overnight comments, so don’t worry too much about lots more things coming in while you’re asleep!
It’s a great post, Chally. I’ve contributed over there – I hope that doesn’t add to your moderation worries. But I blame Ariane, seeing as she made comments about NZ and Australia. :-)
At least no one is calling you racist….
Also, I love the overnight solution! I’m off to bed now too.
“Kristin: Yeah, I understand. It’s a difficult spot to be in. I guess all you can do is be aware and keep trying. And you can only correct stuff you know about, so don’t be too freaked out :).”
Okay, deep breath!!! :)
Chally, thanks for starting this conversation; I found it greatly informative.
Here is a book I would strongly recommend to anybody from the USA wishing to confront their US-centrism. I found it at Uwajimaya, an Asian market (there is a large Asian community here in Seattle). It’s a book written for people outside the USA, about the USA – and for me, the lesson was that things I considered “universal” – weren’t. Also, that what looks like the center of the universe to us “USAians” – isn’t.
Culture Shock, USA: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette by Esther Wanning
Here is a link to it at Powells, an online independent bookstore.
http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780761455035-1
Just saw that you closed the thread.
I can understand why you did, given that it was up to 216 comments and Christina of comment 206 decided that its an appropriate place to give us a history lesson on the First Amendement – thus proving that even in a topic about trying to reduce US self absorption we can still be educated on the really important things in the world – US political history!
Anyway, thanks again for taking a shot at this.
Dear Chally,
I’m sorry people were such assholes (and used ALL the aversive-racism Bingo cards!) to you at Feministe. Shame on them.
I’m going to go read the book Kristin recommends, and I apologize; I am trying not to be so US-centric in my posts, but privilege: I’m soaking in it.
Thank you.
Note to anyone who leaves comments over the next few days: I’m taking a break so I may well be slow to approve them/reply. Thank you in advance.
Since I was too late to re-enter the conversation on Feministe before it was closed (and re-opened and closed again – ARGH European timezones match with neither Australian nor American ones *curses*) I just wanted to stop by and say that you handled it very well.
I know, I would have blown a gasket. I tend to get… involved. And get angry, as in really, really, pissy angry and way more angry than your initial post sounded.
I hope you’ll be alright. That anxiety sounds like a real pain. Sending virtual hugs your way – not too keen on the physical ones myself. Even at those times when you don’t feel worthy, try to remember that there are several of us who do consider you worthy. Best wishes and I hope you recover from the US-centric shitstorm. (and everything else that may be bugging you)
I’m glad I found your blog because I wanted to leave a comment on your Feministe post, but it had already closed.
I have to admit that when I began to read your post…well, to say that I was upset was putting it lightly. Then I started to read the comments, and everything came together for me. The tone arguments, the “all-of-us-aren’t-like-that” whining…You are 100% correct.
In our quest to make others aware of their privileges, we often lose sight of our own. And in acknowledging and learning from those without privilege, we become angry. We also need to stop, take a deep breath, STFU&L.
I listened, I’m still learning, and I want to thank you for teaching me my first lesson. :-)
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