The Worst of US-centrism
The concept of eurocentrism is well established as the notion that the white, European way of life, culture, etc. is central to consideration, and an inability or unwillingness to look at other cultures or viewpoints. Sadly, that idea can’t even begin to hold a torch to what I call US-centrism, which consists of the narrow understanding (rather, awareness) of other countries held by US citizens. Eddie Izzard said it best: “Do you know there are other countries?”
Quick. Name the Northern European countries in the picture below, from left to right. Here’s a hint: I just spent a week at one of them.
I’m not saying every US citizen needs to know every country by location around the globe. I certainly don’t. But weren’t these three pretty easy to recognize in elementary geography? In my case, I remembered them really easily (Norway, Sweden, Finland), but had difficulty with the countries in the middle of Europe. Just like a lot of people on the east and west coast might have difficulty with states in the middle of the US, but that’s another matter.
I was talking with a professor from the Technology University of Tampere during the conference. She told me about how, when she comes to the United States, nobody is familiar with Finland. “But it’s OK,” she explained. “We are such a small country to the north, it is easy for people to not know about us.” Really? To not even have heard of Finland? I think that’s a bit extreme. I might not be able to recognize where the countries are in Europe, but I’ve at least heard of them.
The worst offender came later in the conference though. A Scottish woman who works in Austria was talking about her experience with an American:
Can we at least name the actual country / continent with the kangaroos?
OK, I’m not necessarily disputing the “dumb American” stereotype. There’s a lot of them about. But there are also dumb Europeans.
Europeans know Europe very well because they live there. I would guess that the number of Americans who could pick out Austria on a map is on par with Europeans who could pick out Nebraska on a map.
Not to say that an American state is of the same importance as a European country, but it’s easy to remember 3 countries in North America vs. 40 some countries in Europe (do we count the microstates?).
Comment by Eric — September 18, 2006 @ 6:16 am
The woman from Finland said the same thing - the number of US states is on the same order of magnitude as the number of European countries, so its understandable. And I agree, picking things out on a map is tricky.
But to have not even heard of Finland? And to stubbornly confuse Austria and Australia? I would think hearing of countries, even if there are more of them in the eastern hemisphere, is more important than hearing of states, so I forgive a Finlander not hearing of Nebraska (since some US folks haven’t either) sooner than I forgive a US person not hearing of Finland.
Comment by zaiss — September 18, 2006 @ 6:51 am
your post reminded me of this quiz thing my dad sent me once. how well do you know your european goegraphy?:
http://kayremichelle.net/MapofEurope.pps
while i have heard of finland and do know the difference between austria and austrailia, i’m not as aware of european geography as i think i should be. (after 5 years i should probably also know more US geography, but i am better at that.)
Comment by Kayre — September 18, 2006 @ 3:35 pm
Remember when Jon lived with us? (Our foreign exchange student from Spain) One of the parents (YES! Parents!) from Millard South asked him if he drove to the US. Many students asked him if he ate tacos and enchiladas at home. It was embarassing.
Comment by Tracy aka Mom — September 18, 2006 @ 3:40 pm
Norway, Sweden, Finland. Only because I can recognize the cities.
But the thing is about Americans is that they don’t even know their own states. Don’t you remember some mhciers not knowing where Nebraska is? Or where those middle states were?
I admit that I didn’t know where Pittsburgh was (New York?). But I find it apalling that people don’t know their states. The politics. Etc. People which celebrity broke with who and who married who, but not their own nation. It says something.
Comment by Jenn — September 21, 2006 @ 8:33 am
I am really enjoying reading everything on your blog. I don’t understand some of it, but of course I think I know quite a bit bout geography. Even at 82 I remember where Nebraska is. Now, did you know that Arizona and Italy are approximately the same size, although shaped differently? How many Americans can name all 50 states in U.S.? How many could put them in the right place on a blank map? And can we change the red and blue states in the election so the majority can run ourcountry? Don’t forget to vote.
Comment by virginia zaiss — September 30, 2006 @ 6:35 pm
May I ask you– where the hell is Nebraska??? But I´ve even heard about it. Do not know where it is, but still…
Comment by just one finnish guy — October 19, 2006 @ 12:35 pm
Hahaha… here’s how I think about it (other than being from there originally). Make a dart board out of a map of the US. Nebraska is the bullseye. Pretty much directly in the middle (maybe a bit north of the middle, but then the middle would be Kansas, and it’s OK to skip them).
But it’s like Eric said, I think… having heard of the different states / European countries is great. Knowing where they are… I think that’s a bonus (I just thought Norway, Sweden, and Finland were easy, but that might have just been me).
I recently received a “funny email” forward with this line in it that seems appropriate:
“Our bombs are smarter than the average high school student. At least they can find Afghanistan.”
Comment by zaiss — October 25, 2006 @ 10:18 am