Half American As E.P. Thompson example essay topic

"Letter to Americans" by E.P. Thompson Dated back in 1986, "Letter to Americans" is as if it's written in the last three-four years. In it E.P. Thompson explains why he is anti-American in his beliefs. First off, he starts with that he is in two minds about this state of his. Even his friends doubt he is anti-American, thinking he is joking. We also read how the author traces American ancestry on his mother's side- he goes back to his great-great-grandfather who lived in Lincoln times. Most of his ancestors are white Protestants from the upper class.

Second of all, Thompson presents his idea (which he defends throughout almost the whole text) that "military" troubles had started a long time ago. He gives examples with the Middle East, Ireland and even England. One of the strongest parts is the questions-passage: the sender asks Americans what made them change, why the national-exaltation... He doesn't look for the answers. Terrorism is the next problem that is discussed in "Letter to Americans". Thompson gives an interesting example with the death of an American serviceman which was highly noticed and at the same time the death of sixty-three other lives (non-American) is left almost unmentioned. E.P. Thompson doubts the moral of war.

Or he doubts the moral of anti-terrorist war. In the next lines we read how disappointed he is that he's half-American. But he also doesn't like being half-English after the "heroine" is "walking tall"- Margaret Thatcher is accepted as a betrayer of national honour. The author doesn't forget to mention the relationship between USA and NATO. He thinks that Americans welcome NATO as a weapon for America's affairs, not of the world's.

In his final words, it is suggested that either Europe should invite USA to leave NATO or Europe should expel America from it. It is somehow strange for today's reader to find out that the situation with America's foreign affairs hasn't changed much. As some clever people have said, "The History book on the shelf is always repeating itself". Even after nineteen years, Americans think of themselves as citizens of the strongest nation in the world. Even after the September the 11th. Even after Iraq.

And Afghanistan. The next worst thing that could happen to the new American history was Bush's re-election. I doubt so many American people are that dumb... I lived in USA and most of the people I met there don't like his deeds. It is doubtful that people of today- people who are part of this civilization- chose the next Hitler.

The comparison is not my idea, I'm quoting a fellow American. Americans who supported Bush didn't realize that the anti-terror war is actually a war for fuel. I like E.P. Thompson's sincerity in asking questions. He didn't save any questions. He even asks the hardest ones that even CNN journalists fear asking- is an American soldier's life worth more than a normal citizen from, let's say, Greece?

Or as in the given example- Libyan. Are American soldiers superior to other human beings? I don't think so and I don't think any one should think they are! Voices of journalists, authors... are rarely heard. I remember the situation in Serbia some years ago. America was there "to free" Serbians.

What we read in "The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Engler is that instead of helping local people, American soldiers raped Serbian girls and women. "And justice for all.".. or just a slogan that sells? Yes! Today's society buys what America sells- styles, ideas, customs. Will one day the American trend be a pass'e? It's up to the rest of the world.

It is wrong to let a nation be raised with the thought they " re the best. I support my friend who said Bush is the new Hitler. At first, this thought seems ridiculous but it actually is the truth. Bush is doing nothing but "American ising" the world. I don't think he's intentions are good as well as I don't think he is one of the "modern crusaders". The last fight not with crosses on their chest but with love.

The easiest thing to do is to blame without being part of the blamed. I'm not half-American as E.P. Thompson is. But it doesn't mean I can't judge myself that the problems considered by the author of "Letter to Americans" is uniquely coinciding with America's problems of today..