Anti-Americanism in Canada Irrational?

Submitted by John, Toronto (Canada), Oct 5, 2008 at 20:45

There is certainly, if I may discuss psychology for a moment, a certain cognitive dissonance among many Canadians, who are bombarded by anti-American sentiment 24/7 (its particularly noticeable with the younger generation who are being taught at school that "Americans are stupid"). However, many Canadians have been to the United States, and many have friends and relatives who live across the border and know that while there are differences in values, we are essentially the same.

This creates an internal conflict that has unfortunately become so deep-seated in the collective conscious of the people, the majority of Canadians who see the irrationality in 'verbally bashing America', are beginning to become frustrated (non-mainstream newspapers and radio stations are devoting more time to the hate that so many Canadians have of Americans, although to most of the haters consider the word 'hate' misplaced, and a misrepresentation.

Canadian school teachers devote more time discussing the historical flaws of America (slavery, etc.) while ignoring things like the internment of Japanese Canadians. There needs to be a push for a dialogue about things like this on both sides of the border.

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