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Do You Belong Here?

Have you ever felt that you don't belong in your country?

  • Yes

    Votes: 13 31.7%
  • No

    Votes: 25 61.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 3 7.3%

  • Total voters
    41
I had a friend in an online game who came back to the US after 4 years in Japan, and he said the culture shock coming back to the US was greater than the culture shock when he went over to Japan.

I can understand that after living on Okinawa for 5 and a half years.
 
All the damn time.

I was born in this country, raised in this country, and raised to love this country. I grew up saying the Pledge of Allegiance at school, in the Boy Scouts, and even at home, and I've meant every word of it.

This is my country and these are my people. (Even if I tend to include Canadians.) My blood has been spilled on this land for fourteen generations, more than three centuries. I love this land, and I love these people.

But I never feel like I belong here. I feel like I am an alien among my own people. I cannot understand their values, and all too often I am disgusted by them. My people are, on the majority, hostile to everything I believe in-- religiously, politically, philosophically-- and I feel like I am watching them commit suicide.

I know that the government of this country will never be what I want, what I think this people-- my people-- need. And I know that my people will never turn away from this disastrous course until it is far too late.

But where am I going to go? I may be an alien in America, but at least I am an American. I've been told more than once to leave this country, to go to a country like China or Iraq, or another country with a government more to my liking... but I'm not Chinese or Iraqi. Alien or not, this is my country. And if I don't belong here, I do not belong anywhere.
 
All the damn time.

I was born in this country, raised in this country, and raised to love this country. I grew up saying the Pledge of Allegiance at school, in the Boy Scouts, and even at home, and I've meant every word of it.

This is my country and these are my people. (Even if I tend to include Canadians.) My blood has been spilled on this land for fourteen generations, more than three centuries. I love this land, and I love these people.

But I never feel like I belong here. I feel like I am an alien among my own people. I cannot understand their values, and all too often I am disgusted by them. My people are, on the majority, hostile to everything I believe in-- religiously, politically, philosophically-- and I feel like I am watching them commit suicide.

I know that the government of this country will never be what I want, what I think this people-- my people-- need. And I know that my people will never turn away from this disastrous course until it is far too late.

But where am I going to go? I may be an alien in America, but at least I am an American. I've been told more than once to leave this country, to go to a country like China or Iraq, or another country with a government more to my liking... but I'm not Chinese or Iraqi. Alien or not, this is my country. And if I don't belong here, I do not belong anywhere.

Man, I never could express it the way you have but spot on.

I think my love has passed for a country and it resides for my personal love of my idea of freedom.

As far as being alien, I can't think of a better word to describe it.
 
I have never felt I did not belong here. I have been in places that I did not feel that I belonged such as a goat roast in Paron, Arkansas

:rofl


I can't imagine who would fit right in at a goat roast.


:2funny:
 
:rofl


I can't imagine who would fit right in at a goat roast.


:2funny:

Oh, there are those that would fit in. That party was full of people that fit in. However, even though I was born and raised in rural Arkansas. Live to fish, and do a lot of backpacking (thats not exactly a redneck activity though), and have always been a fan of cheap beer, I (that's me on the left):

mjbpdf.jpg


have never really felt I belonged with this crowd:

rednecks.jpg
 
Sounds like your being an uber nationalist.

Some people never feel connected with their fellow citizens or their country.
Hey, I am German. Don't talk to me about "uber" anything, okay buddy? You haven't got a clue.
 
Hey, I am German. Don't talk to me about "uber" anything, okay buddy? You haven't got a clue.

I've got plenty of clues. I've even played clue quite a few times.

I have more than on national heritage under my belt but some of us don't feel connected. I am one of them, I haven't met very many people that are even remotely similar to me where I live.

I don't believe that my country expresses the values of freedom and individualism that it is supposed to. A lot of the citizenry embraces it and invites more collectivism.
 
The first time I felt like I did not belong here was the period right after 9/11. Because of my heritage, I was made fun of and compared to the Muslim extremists who conducted the attacks.

I will be honest, there was actually a time when I hated Americans, specifically white Americans. Yes I'm admitting it. This was because the people who made fun of me were all white and they instilled in my mind that white people believe they are dominant in the world.

Yeah it was wrong, but stuff happens.

Recently I've been thinking more like Korimyr, in that I feel I will never belong to this country because of the personal issues I have with so many of my countrymen.

My people are, on the majority, hostile to everything I believe in-- religiously, politically, philosophically-- and I feel like I am watching them commit suicide.

This needs to be framed somewhere.
 
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Well yes I feel like I don't belong in Australia all the time. I don't think it is bad here, I'm just a Englishmen to the core and miss my native Dorset soil.

On nationalism I think a moderate amount is a good thing but I am apprehensive of those that put nation above all other associations particularly community, family and region. In fact I think one's allegiances should be far stronger the more local the association or grouping is. I'm a Dorset man and Wessex man far more than an Englishman and an Englishmen more than a Brit.
 
The first time I felt like I did not belong here was the period right after 9/11. Because of my heritage, I was made fun of and compared to the Muslim extremists who conducted the attacks.

I will be honest, there was actually a time when I hated Americans, specifically white Americans. Yes I'm admitting it. This was because the people who made fun of me were all white and they instilled in my mind that white people believe they are dominant in the world.

Yeah it was wrong, but stuff happens.

Recently I've been thinking more like Korimyr, in that I feel I will never belong to this country because of the personal issues I have with so many of my countrymen.

I know what your saying but don't let it depress you.
If you can be open to others who might not feel at home, similar to the way you feel, you can make a lot of friends.

I have to at times not disclose my family heritage because some are hostile or bigoted towards it.

There are some of us who see the bigger picture in life and should live it up to its fullest.
 
Initially, I was going to agree with Reverend, and say that your question is far too broad, and ask you what you were getting at. Obviously, the below was what you were getting at. I am curious as to why you didn't come out and say it, rather than get all secretive, but to each their own, I suppose.

The first time I felt like I did not belong here was the period right after 9/11. Because of my heritage, I was made fun of and compared to the Muslim extremists who conducted the attacks.

I will be honest, there was actually a time when I hated Americans, specifically white Americans. Yes I'm admitting it. This was because the people who made fun of me were all white and they instilled in my mind that white people believe they are dominant in the world.

Yeah it was wrong, but stuff happens.

Recently I've been thinking more like Korimyr, in that I feel I will never belong to this country because of the personal issues I have with so many of my countrymen.



This needs to be framed somewhere.

To answer your question, yes, I have always felt that I belonged here. The diversity of this country not only fits in with my ideology, but reminds me that there is a place, here, for nearly anyone.
 
Initially, I was going to agree with Reverend, and say that your question is far too broad, and ask you what you were getting at. Obviously, the below was what you were getting at. I am curious as to why you didn't come out and say it, rather than get all secretive, but to each their own, I suppose.

Well when I make a poll I usually wait a while until I respond. I like to see the different perspectives that others take.


To answer your question, yes, I have always felt that I belonged here. The diversity of this country not only fits in with my ideology, but reminds me that there is a place, here, for nearly anyone.

I agree with that, this is a place for everyone. I love living here (not East Texas, just the U.S.) because its the best place to live that I know of. Its just that for years I have felt that despite the fact that the U.S. is considered a place for everyone, its not necessarily a place that completely accepts anyone. By that I mean the country can accept someone as a citizen and resident and et cetera but their views, appearance, traits and such will never be completely approved by society.

I'm gonna 'pull Specter' here and say that I find myself increasingly at odds with the people around me, but if I were to write a huge pros/cons list, I still like living in the U.S.
 
Yes, I belong here...here being the United States of America.

I was born in this country. Its history is my history. Its story is my story.

America is not perfect; perhaps it is not even "better"--and certainly is not morally superior in the manner Wilsonian idealists pretend. It is simply my country; as corny as the song lyric is, that really is close enough to perfect for me.
 
Well when I make a poll I usually wait a while until I respond. I like to see the different perspectives that others take.

On the rare occasions that I start a poll, I sometimes do the same, however, I will add some of my own commentary so folks won't be wondering about where things could be heading.

I agree with that, this is a place for everyone. I love living here (not East Texas, just the U.S.) because its the best place to live that I know of. Its just that for years I have felt that despite the fact that the U.S. is considered a place for everyone, its not necessarily a place that completely accepts anyone. By that I mean the country can accept someone as a citizen and resident and et cetera but their views, appearance, traits and such will never be completely approved by society.

Hmmm...a little clarification, at least to me. The country can accept someone as a citizen and resident and et cetera but their views, appearance, traits and such will never be completely approved by everyone in society. Regardless of your appearance, traits, view, etc..., I believe that here, in the US, you can find a place to fit in and a place where you will be accepted, even if those that are accepting you are different from you.

I'm gonna 'pull Specter' here and say that I find myself increasingly at odds with the people around me, but if I were to write a huge pros/cons list, I still like living in the U.S.

I would imagine that this opinion is shared by many.
 
I was only a wee boy when I left Scotland, about 6 years old when I came to Australia

I still have memories of primary school (elementary school) and I have very clear memories of the house I lived in, or my Grandparents house.

To me I am Australian, but there is a part of me that still feels a little bit Scottish. There are certain cultural elements of Australia that seem foreign. I don't appreciate Australian Rules Football, I prefer to watch football (soccer). I drink beer from pint glasses not half pints, I like words such as prat, git and bollocks. I don't understand the new phenomenon of hyper-patriotism surrounding ANZAC day.... When in my opinion, Remembrance Day is a for more appropriate avenue of remembering the war dead. I don't like the beach nor am I am the stereotypical sporty Australian.

But then I have been out of Scotland so long, that I am not sure that I could culturally call myself a Scot or a Brit, but nor do I associate strongly within Australian culture. Don't get me wrong I am a loyal Australian citizen, its just that I have a weird disjoint with country..... But then again, I do not long to go back to Scotland.

All rather weird.
 
I was only a wee boy when I left Scotland, about 6 years old when I came to Australia

I still have memories of primary school (elementary school) and I have very clear memories of the house I lived in, or my Grandparents house.

To me I am Australian, but there is a part of me that still feels a little bit Scottish. There are certain cultural elements of Australia that seem foreign. I don't appreciate Australian Rules Football, I prefer to watch football (soccer). I drink beer from pint glasses not half pints, I like words such as prat, git and bollocks. I don't understand the new phenomenon of hyper-patriotism surrounding ANZAC day.... When in my opinion, Remembrance Day is a for more appropriate avenue of remembering the war dead. I don't like the beach nor am I am the stereotypical sporty Australian.

But then I have been out of Scotland so long, that I am not sure that I could culturally call myself a Scot or a Brit, but nor do I associate strongly within Australian culture. Don't get me wrong I am a loyal Australian citizen, its just that I have a weird disjoint with country..... But then again, I do not long to go back to Scotland.

All rather weird.
Yes you do, you just don't seem to realize it. You have the independent nature of Aussies and a similar belief in liberty. I'm proud of my German heritage, but I'm American and am proud to be here. I know I belong here. American culture is unique in that it evolved from the cultures of the Old World and a few others, but now has it's own flavor. I think Australians share that with us, and are liberty-minded like Americans. That's why when I meet Aussies I feel some kinship, though we're different because our cultures evolved in similar manners.
 
The first time I felt like I did not belong here was the period right after 9/11. Because of my heritage, I was made fun of and compared to the Muslim extremists who conducted the attacks.

I will be honest, there was actually a time when I hated Americans, specifically white Americans. Yes I'm admitting it. This was because the people who made fun of me were all white and they instilled in my mind that white people believe they are dominant in the world.

Yeah it was wrong, but stuff happens.

Recently I've been thinking more like Korimyr, in that I feel I will never belong to this country because of the personal issues I have with so many of my countrymen.





Do you feel your mistrust, and hatred is deserved? Do you feel that it is justified? What made it different than those who you hated?


(meh, you made it interesting again):mrgreen:
 
Have you ever felt, at any point in your life, that you did not belong in the country you live?

Please explain your decision.

Yes I have, to such an extent that I actually left my country in search of other places. It's not that there is anything wrong with Canada and I like returning there to spend time, but I just find it is a very young place and there is so much more diversity in the outside world.

Even before I came to the conclusion that North America is not for me, I was naturally inclined towards worldly views and wanting to explore other cultures. Naturally, when I grew up and had the means to leave, I did so.

I don't feel I belong to any one place now... maybe I just belong to planet Earth, and that's all I can really say?
 
don't know if I 'belong' here, but I deserve to be here.....
Where I am sure I didn't belong was in my original family. They are hard enough to visit with once every decade or so, I surely couldn't live near them...only 1 of the 5 has much of an intellect...
I refer to myself as the "white sheep" of the family.:2razz:
 
I voted yes that last 8 years in America were pure Hell. The econonomy crapped out for the working poor like me on 9/12/2001 (take that Beck) Now we're hearing about how bad it is because all the richies that said I was "whinning and need to pull myself up by my boot straps" are screaming like little girls about how the million dollar home they bought isn't worth as much anymore. Boo efin' hoo shut up now whiners!
 
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