Someone recently said that they wonder why it is I take it so personally every time someone here says anything negative about the US Government. My answer to that is - I don't. I agree whole heartedly with what most people say about the current administration. Hell, I have a sign hanging on my refrigerator that reads 'Don't blame me, I voted for Kerry.' What I take personally is when people assume because I'm American, I support the government, Bush or this war (the only thing I support in this war are the troops who are fighting it). I take it very personally when in friendly conversation it's brought up and thrown in my face as if I am guilty of being one of the decision makers. I have no more control over my government than they have here over theirs. I don't see a reason to bring politics into friendly conversation nor do I think I should be looked upon in a negative light because of what nationality I am opposed to being judged for the person I am.
I've lived here for nearly 3 years. I haven't had one person offer a hand in friendship, but I have had more than one experience where people have treated me unkindly because I'm American without knowing a thing about me. I've had to listen to the rhetoric and the anti American comments, I've had to walk out of a restaurant because the people behind me were purposely talking loud enough for me to hear about how stupid my accent makes me sound and how obnoxious Americans are. I've had one person walk away from me in the middle of a conversation after realizing I was American and I had a mother scold her child behind me for mimicking my accent telling her 'Don't talk that way - it's rubbish! You are NOT American - you're English. It's those things I take personally. I can handle the politics just fine.
The other mother and I went into the school to meet with the teacher and the assistant head. We both let them know how upset we were that we were not informed that our children were sent to the office and how much we were against the children being allowed to play fighting games on the playground. I told them I wouldn't allow it at home and I'm really unhappy that it's being allowed at school. They admitted it was a problem and explained that they are planning to introduce a a scheme to teach the children to play in a safe way. They will be calling it 'Super Hero Training'. They plan to give out capes & masks out to children who behave well as rewards at playtime. They will have assemblies where they will teach the children to play fighting games without making contact. I find this to be absurd. The problem has gone on to long and I doubt they will be able to teach little children to change their games when they have sixty other childr...
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http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/04/brits200704