Exploring the Hatred of America
Ruben Nagesparan Chandrakumar, BS
There remains a sentiment of deep-seated hatred, resentment, and envy directed towards the United States that permeates both the global and national psyche. There are numerous reasons why individuals and groups harbor these feelings toward America. For some, it may be the result of America’s criminal behavior during diplomacy and wars. For others, it may be the product of generations of discrimination and oppression under the country. However, for a large group of deluded individuals, the hatred toward America comes from two fundamental axioms of belief. The first is that the US is the main cause and culprit in the problems of the world; the second is that the success and dominance of the US has not been the result of its free markets, civil rights, and integration of various populations under a common culture that emphasizes cooperation and collaboration between different peoples, but rather the prosperity accrued from exploiting and pillaging the rest of the world.
While the United States must be held accountable for certain actions, the belief that the US is responsible for phenomena like Islamic fundamentalism—which has existed for over a millennium before the US was even formed—and British colonialism, against whom the US fought in its gruesome war of independence, is fundamentally wrong. However, critics are not entirely incorrect; for example, the belief that the US has used its power to dominate, subjugate, exploit, and abuse its power—both militarily and economically—has some merit. Yet, once again, this does not paint a clear enough picture of the nature of American behavior and history; the United States has also been one of the largest benefactors to impoverished nations across the world—offering billions of dollars in aid and incalculable amounts of assistance, mentorship, and guidance to the people and leaders of these regions. By painting America through a lens of being the sole and primary evil in the world, people can simplify the nuanced and complex history of the United States. This perspective on America, specifically within the citizenry and immigrants who harbor this resentment toward the country, is ill-informed and suffers from a severe lack of gratitude for all the good in the world that America is responsible for.
Without acknowledging the galvanizing philosophical breakthroughs that occurred within America, the portrait of evil is much easier to cast onto the country. The belief that “all men are created equal” did not initially include many individuals; however, this ideal was progressed by the people, politicians, and moral leaders that paved the way for a better day. The hatred for America is—either consciously or unconsciously—aimed at the destruction of the country and its dominance in the world. This desire lacks any awareness of the brutality of other countries, the historic bloodshed and conquest which depict all of human history, and the consequences of eliminating America—and American ideals—from the dominant position within the world. In comparison, China and Russia have recently emerged as great powers. The level of freedom, justice, opportunity, prosperity, and charity displayed within both China and Russia shrivels in comparison to the United States. While not always acting in accordance with its espoused ideals, the country has held firmly to those values and has fought to correct itself when it deviates into barbarity. There is no other great power that acts in a similar manner; Russia and China are not particularly humane, ethical, or wise powers.
This emphasis on the distinct hatred for America needs to be explored by the populace to discover what it means to be an American, the historical injustices and evil that must be acknowledged, and the values of the country that have offered a place of refuge and opportunity to those across the globe. By doing so and having the extremely difficult conversations that stir the deepest emotions of the nation, America can find its vision for its future. However, ignoring these perspectives and suppressing the needed dialogue will surely result in the unconscious manifestations of chaos and destruction.