The students at the University of East Anglia gave some pretty interesting definitions of what American means to them. I thought that it was interesting that some thought that Gossip Girl was an unrealistic example of what Americans are but the O.C and The Hills were more of a realistic view. In reality not everybody gets to live a rich life style especially in America. But some of them did talk about Friends, the Simpsons and South Land, which give more of a realistic view on how Americans are. It is very difficult to define any type of culture, but the American culture is very difficult because of the diversity. My favorite example that was given about American history was To Kill a Mocking Bird. That is one of the best examples to talk about how Americans were prejudice at moments in history.
Reading the response about how American Universities focus a lot of their free time on sports; whether it is playing them or watching them. It is surprising to find out that colleges do not have sports teams over in England. I think their main sport was soccer /“football”; I thought that colleges went and played against each other. My main question is where do the British get their school spirit?
High school was another topic that was address by the students in East Anglia. I did not know that the students attending high school have a “different culture” than the American high school students. Even though England and America are two different countries with different cultures; I thought that people globally especially two countries in 1st world countries would have the same dramas. The word drama is used here since I felt that a good portion of my high school career was drama. What were the high school experiences you‘ve encountered in Britain. The topic of Obama was very interesting; I would not have thought to mention him as being a major impact on America Culture. He is our first African American President but at the same time I think that there are more influential “blacks” in American Culture, like Martin Luther King and Sammy Davis Jr. Sammy Davis Jr. was one of the first people in American media that was bicultural; since he was African American and Jewish. Diversity was a main theme and in America most people considered themselves belonging to more than one culture. Sammy Davis Jr, being a part of American pop culture is important since he inspired the African community like Obama, who is also bicultural, to be a take part in America’s mass culture. In other words Mr. Davis Jr. inspires people to embrace both cultures they might belong to. Today that also applies to our Latin American community. Hopefully that did not confuse whoever is reading this response.
There are some things that I would have mentioned about Americans and their culture is that we love fireworks. If we can have fireworks at an event we do. Also I thought that people would have mentioned how America is like the game of monopoly. I know that American culture had an impact on British television but I didn’t know it had a huge impact. I only know of a couple British shows, like The Office, Are you Being Served, and Dr. Who. Are these shows even on anymore? When
Hey Tara,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Jake Montanarini and i am an American Studies student at the University of East Anglia. I really enjoyed reading your blog about our essays and it opened my eyes to a few things about our culture that I just excepted and was blinded to it when I saw it on the streets, in the playgrounds in our own homes.
I was really interested by the point you made about our school spirit. This really made me think. Yes we do compete college against college, university against university and there is a sense of friendly rivalry that fuels our patriotism to our teams but it is only there and then at the time of the match, in the stadiums and arenas. I think our sports rivalry is on a smaller scale to yours because none of it is televised and I believe plenty of your college sports are televised on derby days? Just give us a shout if I am wrong.
This made me question where our school spirit comes from and I guess its from the friendly rivalry to better our fellow schools on every front both academically and in sports. Our spirit comes from a unity against a common evil, be it a friendly rival or something larger, something more political. However if you question someone in England about school spirit I would presume they wouldn't be able to answer you, we do have one but its hidden and isn't as publicised as much as an American School spirit would be.
I would argue, from an outsiders point of view on America, that Obama isn't an influential character in African American history more of a influential symbol. He stands as a symbol of social development that can only be beaten by instigating a female President. He is a beacon of hope as he, being president, is a black man in one of the largest seats of power in the world. Especially when that seat was largely built, as you said, on the backs of slaves.
I would love to hear your opinions of England and any ideas you have about us?
Thanks
Jake Montanarini (UEA)
Hi Tara,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Sandie and I'm a student at UEA studying American History with English History. One of the things that attracts me to America, and something you have identified in your blog, is its diversity. This was reflected in my essay where I spoke of all the various contradictions in American society and how an 'American stereotype' cannot truly be achieved or created because of the vastness of the country and the fact that is a home to such a broad range of cultures.
In response to your reference to sport, English universities do have sports teams and people do enjoy watching sport. I think the difference is that sport is not glorified and does not go hand in hand with popularity in the way I perceive it to in American colleges and high schools. As for school spirit, it is simply not considered important in England, or for that matter, it is simply not considered at all. The American high school experience is completely different to my high school experience, and I find it interesting that you would assume they would be similar. In my experience, there were no cliques, no popular crowd exercising their power on 'the geeks,' school lasted 9-3.30 and the whole school year rarely came together outside of school hours, except for a yearly school dance/prom. Playing sport didn't guarantee you immediate popularity and amongst most social groups there was a vast range of the different stereotypical teens, from 'plastic' to 'emo' and 'sporty' to 'geeks.' Friendship groups were also not so clearly regimented in the way I believe them to be in America. However, the majority of my knowledge on American high school experiences is taken from television dramas, and cynically I always believed them to be inaccurate. Would you say that they are an accurate representation of your high school experience?
Lastly, all Britons are effected by American culture, beginning from a very young age. The British entertainment industry simply is not as influential or as well financed as the American entertainment industry, so the majority of shows we watch, music we listen to and celebrities we follow are American. It is this constant exposure, and some would argue suffocation, with the American culture which fuels my fascination and interest in your country.
Again, I would be very intrigued to hear about your perceptions of England, and understand what has shaped and determined your opinion on my country. I really enjoyed reading your blog, and found it very interesting.
Sandie McKenzie
Hi Tara,
ReplyDeleteLike those who have commented before me, I too am a student of at the University of East Anglia,studying American History with Politics.
I found your response to our 'What America Means to Me' mini-essays interesting to read as a recurring theme throughout was the idea of 'culture' - something which fascinates me about the Americas, exactly for the reason you stated culture in America is so complex: diversity. It was thought provoking how you said that many Americans thought of themselves to belong to more than one culture as to me, America has seemed to be a country of rigidity where you were only able to belong to one culture - the culture of the American. However, I think this is also how the media have portrayed America to be.
I did not realise so many of my peers had mentioned the sport and competition which goes on between high schools, colleges and universities in America. I quite liked the phrase you used of 'school spirit', I think in essence it captures exactly what Britain is lacking. Although in high school we may have some school sports teams which compete against other schools in the borough, it is usually friendly and nothing will come of it. It is a hobby and if we lose it doesn't tend to matter. In college, competitions between each other seem to be decline further. However in universities competition appears to be resumed, however it does not appear to be ongoing throughout the year. I think we lack the balance that places of academia appear to have in America, focusing too much on the academic side of things. In answer to your question, I think British 'school spirit' is hard to find. Rarely will you find schools which hold regular competitions against each other and those people supported by their peers. Our school spirit appears to be more of a personal one; we'd rather focus on our individual academic work than support those representing our institution.
I too would have to agree that Obama is not the best example to use when talking about influence on American culture; indeed he has had some influence, but this is limited. If anything he has only had an influence in shaping the political world of America. In addition, whilst he is the most influential black male in the U.S. today, he is perhaps not the greatest of all time. Like you mentioned, people like Martin Luther King Jr. have had a more significant effect on American culture.
Once again, your response has made for an interesting read and thank you for taking the time to write a response.
Rachael Gilbert
American History and Politics Student, UEA.