不要看美國人早已登陸月球和穿梭於太空之間，他們仍是一個十分保守的民族。例如他們的祖先英國早已改用公制作為度量衡的標準，而美國人却仍舊使用傳統的英制。到底是他們喜歡懷舊還是一種自我中心意識的流露呢？
今年是美國總統的選舉年，所有參選者都有宗教的背景。稍對美國歷史有點認識的人都知道：自從立國以來，除了第35任之甘迺迪總統是個天主教徒之外，每屆總統都是基督徒或和基督教有密不可分的關係。其他無神論者、猶太教徒、佛教徒、回教徒、印度教徒和錫克教徒都不可能當上總統，因為有76%的美國人供奉基督教，他們對政治的影響力無處不在。且說美國黑人能當上總統是個大突破，但異教徒和非宗教人士若也是希望如願以償地登上這個寶座則全屬匪夷所思之想。另外，美國總統的職位一向都由男性所壟斷，女性擔任總統看來將是遙遙無期。這是美國人保守的另一面。
美國的主要政黨是「民主」和「共和」兩黨，它們瓜分了眾議院和參議院的席位，聯邦和州政府的管治權，當然也包括四年一任的總統職位。處於這兩個古老大黨以外的任何黨派的政治影響力是微不足道的，這種形勢在可預見的未來仍舊變化不大。民主和共和兩黨一向擁有他們忠實的支持者，分頭佔據着某些州和行政地區的民心，堅不可摧，使黨外的挑戰者根本無從入手。這又是美國人對政治取向堅持的保守態度。
其實美國人在其他方面也是十分保守的：禮拜天不賣酒的立法和擁槍自衛的權力是其中較為人留意的一些。他們吃得簡單和穿得隨意的習慣由來已久，相信亦不易改變過來。
美國雖是一個由很多族裔組成的國家，但政府只承認英文為唯一的法定語言。英裔以外的移民來到這個國家之後，不出兩代便把原來的文化忘得一乾二淨。土生土長的美國人素來不喜歡學習外文，獨崇英語。這點習慣看來亦與他們保守的性格有關。
黄啓樟 2012/2/28於Fort Myers
www.davidkcwong.blogspot.com
今年是美國總統的選舉年，所有參選者都有宗教的背景。稍對美國歷史有點認識的人都知道：自從立國以來，除了第35任之甘迺迪總統是個天主教徒之外，每屆總統都是基督徒或和基督教有密不可分的關係。其他無神論者、猶太教徒、佛教徒、回教徒、印度教徒和錫克教徒都不可能當上總統，因為有76%的美國人供奉基督教，他們對政治的影響力無處不在。且說美國黑人能當上總統是個大突破，但異教徒和非宗教人士若也是希望如願以償地登上這個寶座則全屬匪夷所思之想。另外，美國總統的職位一向都由男性所壟斷，女性擔任總統看來將是遙遙無期。這是美國人保守的另一面。
美國的主要政黨是「民主」和「共和」兩黨，它們瓜分了眾議院和參議院的席位，聯邦和州政府的管治權，當然也包括四年一任的總統職位。處於這兩個古老大黨以外的任何黨派的政治影響力是微不足道的，這種形勢在可預見的未來仍舊變化不大。民主和共和兩黨一向擁有他們忠實的支持者，分頭佔據着某些州和行政地區的民心，堅不可摧，使黨外的挑戰者根本無從入手。這又是美國人對政治取向堅持的保守態度。
其實美國人在其他方面也是十分保守的：禮拜天不賣酒的立法和擁槍自衛的權力是其中較為人留意的一些。他們吃得簡單和穿得隨意的習慣由來已久，相信亦不易改變過來。
美國雖是一個由很多族裔組成的國家，但政府只承認英文為唯一的法定語言。英裔以外的移民來到這個國家之後，不出兩代便把原來的文化忘得一乾二淨。土生土長的美國人素來不喜歡學習外文，獨崇英語。這點習慣看來亦與他們保守的性格有關。
黄啓樟 2012/2/28於Fort Myers
www.davidkcwong.blogspot.com
2012/3/15加拿大商報
David:
ReplyDeleteYou are quite knowledgeable in American history, customs, and way of life, unlike many non-Americans who think that the US is really a totally democratic and free nation. To put it in a nutshell, it’s a country where money talks and laws excessive. This said, please don’t get the idea that I’m anti-American. In fact, I am so used to its system that I find it natural. Now, your request has prompted me to writing the following article to be included in my memoirs:
(draft only).
British Ancestry. People of British and German background form the majority of the US population. But they never “think British nor German” and wouldn’t hesitate to call their kind from other countries as Gringos. And outstanding British-American General Marshall wouldn’t hesitate to bomb London, and German-American General Eisenhower to bomb Berlin if ordered to do so.
Unlike the Canadians who maintain some kinship with Britain because the country is still a member of the British Commonwealth. And the French-Canadians in Quebec still speak French and perhaps closely tied to the old country.
When I was with the US military during WWII, the American soldiers would call the British “limeys” even though they themselves were of British origin. So, do you expect them to wave the Union Jack and the German flag and adhere to anything British or German. In fact, they want to be different. Back then, they used to ask any Asians if they could speak “American,” not English. And don’t be surprised if you are so asked while visiting rural America!
You said stores in some small American township don’t sell liquors on Sundays. But definitely not so in American cities.
Religions & Discriminations. Yes, Christians belonging to the Protestant Church form the largest group in the US. Subsequently, the most powerful force in politics. This, however, does not mean that they are all true believers.
Now, on the question of discrimination against women. Please don’t forget that the American women were deprived of quite a bit of rights in recent history. They were not allowed to vote, would lose their US citizenship if married to non-US citizens, less pay for equal work held by men, and many more.
People are surprised that the US now has a black president. But don’t forget, he is a mulatto, and not totally “black.” And outstanding women of Chinese ancestry in America such as Elaine Chao and Connie Chung could get that far because their husbands are Caucasians. Thus, making it much easier to be accepted into the mainstream. This reminds me of some male Anglo Americans proposing to female minorities saying: “ You will at least obtain a good name like Morrison if you marry me!”
Minority. As for us minorities, we have to stick together as one particular group so as to form a clout in the mainstream. Like the saying goes “Unity is Power.” Subsequently, unlike the term “Anglo-American” which is seldom heard of, the common hyphenated callings such as Chinese-American, Japanese-American, Afro-American, etc. And each group would adhere to some of traditions of the old country so as to identify their ancestries.
Take what’s going on with the “Jeremy Lin Fever” as an example. He was born and raised in New York, an American through and through. But all over the US and perhaps the world, his background is emphasized as Chinese.
Joe