anti american

I'm a Canadian living in Paris. I'm frustrated to share with you that I occassionally experience anti-americanism. I have even been accused of lying about my nationality.

For example, on Sunday I was walking along Rue Mouffetard. I was a NIKE posterboard...but I was out getting exercise and in the land of Liberté why should this be a problem? New digital camera in hand I was trying to get some pics to send to friends living vicariously though my abroad experience.

A Frenchman rammed into the back of my leg with his Velo (bike) and started to chastise me for walking along the middle of the narrow road. I quipped that the road is closed on weekends for pedestrians and I, like everyone, had the right to walk along the road. There was plenty of room for him to pass. He began berating me for being American and shouting about how he detests Americans. So what....he saw the sporty attire and camera and chose me as his target? Believe me, he is NOT the typical Frenchman. He's just an asshole. But I was shocked that he accused me of lying about being Canadian. Surprised he pushed me again. Surprised, as a woman, that he was surprised when I rightfully pushed him back.

Whether I am American, Canadian or North American is not the point. I was doing nothing wrong.

If anything I can tell you that my experience abroad has made me think a lot about the duty of citizens. There are many people around the world who chastise Americans abroad because of their discontentment with the American government.

Living in the US during 9/11 I became very curious about politics. I chose to complete my degree with a minors in political science and philosophy and a heavy emphasis on law. I berate the US Supreme Court for their judicial activism. I berate the government of such a strong country for allowing education to be so expensive many are ignornat of their own country's foreign policies. You see, it's not that Americans are ignorant or oblivious. Their own education system fails them. I took on a heavy burden of student loan debt because I wanted to be educated. Not everyone sees the possibilities. Not everyone has the opportunity to do what I did.

Nevertheless, freedom of speech and liberty to do not seem to entitle one to push me in the street because of their hatred of another country's policies. Talk about predjudice. I took on great studies, posed many questions... I learned to study the Constitution. I leared to write legal briefs. I learned to think philosophically. I learned to be open to different arguments against my beliefs and gut feelings.

And that said. I worked tooth and nail to move to France. This was a personal choice. For a long time, I studied the language, the culture, the ins and outs of daily living. And I made a choice to fork out a huge amount of savings to pay the tuition to complete a Masters degree in France. I plan on staying here.

To push a woman in the street because of preconceived notions is proof that a 40 something man is still in his infancy. Had I been more proficient in my language skills I would have told him that my grandfather spent 4 years in France during WWII away from a newly wedded wife to fight for freedom on the continent of Europe. My birthfather's ancestry is French. Since childhood I have wanted to live here.

I guess he is nothing but living proof that ignorance exists in all lands. And the only way to counter that ignorance is to build tolerance .... through education. And perhaps the occassional trip the doctor for a psych eval isn't out of the question for some.

But finally, when I recant such stories, in French, to my French friends.....they are embarassed and angered AND unsupportive of such irrational behaviors of their own countrymen.

Just as I am still embarassed and angered over the Canadian who attempted to charge me after Christmas for my invitation.

So remember.....the moral of the story: regardless of race, national origin, religion...etc....there are assholes and ignorant people everywhere. Do not you yourself generalize.

bisous!

K