It is well known that a couple of months ago El Segundo High School played host to several Austrian students. The point is not so much that they were here, but more what they said while here. Some of the Austrian students were very surprised to see just how skewed their views of Americans were from what they are presented with back home. Many Austrians believed that we were no more than fat, gun toting people who did little more than start wars and eat at McDonald’s. This got me thinking, why do other nations think of us and hate us in such a manner?

Well, the answer is globalization. Globalization is the basic idea of a melding of a larger, more prominent nation’s culture and governmental ideas with those of other countries and nations. In other words it is the spread of American culture and society on that of other populations. With globalization comes the loss of a nation’s own culture and beliefs. Globalized nations watch our movies, eat at our fast food chains, read our books, and listen to our music. I even saw an Austrian student wearing a “Made in Texas” tee shirt, which by the way he did not buy in Texas or America for that matter. This only proves that our cultural regime is being adopted and accepted by the people of other nations. It has even become trendy to act American, making it un-cool to be yourself. Junior Katie Koepple said, “Globalization is both good and bad. I believe it brings nations closer together, and for that I’m thankful. However, this should not come at the price of a nation’s loss of cultural identity.” Nations all have their own governmental systems under which they have survived thousands of years.

This social and economic colonialism will affect everyone. Business Math and Career teacher Janice Hickey said, “Make sure you love your neighbor because even if they are half a world away, whatever is happening to them economically, politically, and socially has an impact on you.”

Religion is another thing pushed by Americans. Though there is obviously nothing wrong with the praise and love for a higher power, how we go about it has become corrupt, cruel, and extremely capitalist. Many a war has been started thanks to one religion thinking it’s better or more correct than another’s. If we had no religion, we’d have a lot less prejudice and hate for one another. Everyday some missionary is asking for some form of donation to his church so that he can fly to the nation of Obscureistan so that he may better convert the heathens living there. Sure it is possible to say that globalization can help. Breaking down the barriers of foreign affairs could certainly help reduce tension and fear between other nations and peoples, ultimately becoming a great thing. But it comes at what cost? One’s identity is not worth the ability to open a Starbucks in Baghdad.