Scorned

     As I began to read “Letter to America”, by Margaret Atwood, I asked myself, why does this spiel sounds so familiar? Have I read this narrative before? The answer is no. I have heard people talking negatively about our neighbours in coffee shop line-ups, grocery stores, social events, and at work. Reading “letter to America”, was like reading love letter of a scorned women. It was difficult to know Margaret’s intent for her critical rant. It took me some time to realize it was like a best friend giving constructive criticism. In essence, a stern warning. It is difficult to not perceive her words as hatred. I believe many people have just chosen to hate Americans, because someone has to be responsible for all the horrible things that are happening around the world. In Margret’s opening paragraph her  reminiscence of  the past to show comparison between then and now, comes across a little cruel. Her words are harsh, but she wants to illustrate has far they have fallen. Perhaps, America does not see how they are perceived.

   It was hurtful to read Margaret's first words “I thought I knew you; we’d become well acquainted over the past fifty years. You were my Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck comic books I read in the late 1940’s. You were the radio shows-Jack and Benny, Our Miss Brooks, You were the music I sang to and danced to: the Andrews Sisters, Ella Fitzgerald and the Platter, and Elvis. You were a ton of fun.” the Platter, and Elvis. You were a ton of fun.”(Margret Atwood, pg169) Was this a fair statement? Yes, Elvis is gone, but as far I know Mickey Mouse is still around. It is this phrase that lacks integrity, however, I believe Margret exaggerates, to get her point across. She discusses every major issue America has ever faced and is facing. It's a shame, she couldn't run for President. I think all Canadians can come to a consensus that America needs to perhaps revise some of there policies. It is a fact, if they keep spending, it will take decades to recover. She uses the USSR as an example of what could happen" lots of tanks, but no air conditioning." Margret criticises their decision to fight in Iraq, the way they have invaded citizens privacy, and there economy, however, she does this so they can perhaps re-think some of their decisions. Her intentions are evident in this one statement " We have every reason to wish you well."

   Surely, we can all hope the United States  will make necessary changes to better their country. The US  has many great men and women who will fight for their country. Even Margret has faith in their people. Her advise to her friend would be to " call upon: men and women of courage, of conscience, of prescience. Summon them now, to stand with you, to inspire you, to defend you the best in you. You need them". Great advise from a friend. She truly wants to regain the relationship she once has with her friend.

  I would be interested to know how we are perceived from our neighbours. Do our neighbours have the same perceptions of us?