Paraquat wrote on 07/19/13 at 06:15:38:I can't find it now but one thing you said, that at least I thought to be profound, was a comment regarding other countries.
I believe the quote was along the lines of "Who do you think they [education system] tell children is #1 in other countries?"
This stuck in my head because I've only lived this sheltered life in the US with the propaganda that we are #1 forced into our heads. It made me consider, for a moment, that the US is not number 1. Although this may sound egotistical you are combating years of brainwashing so consider the light shining through the clouds a good thing.
It makes sense though. I believe the Chinese teach the Chinese that they are the best and brightest. That's not a far stretch for me to make.
I had a chance to speak with a woman from Peru and one from the Dominican last night.
They were both born and raised in their respective countries and later immigrated to the US.
They both said that their countries are just like here in CT. That there are rich people and there are poor people. That the poor outnumber the rich. One brought her husband home to meet her family and she said that when they left he had this image in his head he was going to wake up in a bathtub of ice missing a kidney but by the time they left he wanted to go back.
Both said that they were raised and taught in school that the US is the supreme force. They both agree opportunities are more abundant here than in their own countries.
I'm wondering how it compared for you.
In India were you raised believing that India is #1?
--Steve
We were not taught India is #1, however I was taught by people who lived under british rule. We knew we had just got out form under serfdom. That idea was fresh in our mind. However we also were taught to not bear ill-will against england or the west.
India was so culturally and language wise so diverse, I feel more @ home 1/2 way round the world, than I would have 200 miles away. Most of the cities I visited as a child, I could not bear to spend another second in. I hated Bangalore, I hated Delhi, I nearly got lost and had visions of being an abandoned child in Tirupati (a pilgrimage city less than 100 miles from my house). I could not live in anything except the city I was born in. India has 22+ languages, with about as much similarity as russian and english. And I hate 21 of them, and am forgetting that other 1 by the day. There is no way back ... In fact I'd like to move to Peru ... my spanish is fast improving. Or chile, when I retire.
Cool.
Srinath.
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