As American as frozen apple pie
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The American Dream. The Land of the Free. Hollywood. You may recognize these terms from almost anywhere in the world and right away connect them to the U.S.
This country that was placed on a pedestal as the country to emulate has been the main influence on every nation and every human being – be that influence good or bad. You have a general idea of what America is in your mind, but what do you tell someone who isn’t from here?
“What do you think of when you think of America?”
Over the past year and a half that I’ve been here, I’ve asked that question to a number of people and they all start with the same thing, “Erm, I don’t know.”
The concept of finding the right definition has had many vague ideas that revolved around animals, food, sports, media and even the actions that people take. Classifying something huge like a country takes years and years to be developed into something habitual or routine that almost everyone does or is a part of.
Being a Malaysian myself, I classify my country as a food lover’s great getaway adventure. It thrives on the vast varieties of food that came from all parts of Southeast Asia and it is without a doubt that we attract people from that sense. So, what associates with America then?
First off, no country should be defined by its people, because they do not represent a genuine truth based on their imperfections. Most people are hypocrites and lie to themselves and other people of what the concept of living is. If a piece of land or an island is able to sustain life by itself, then it needs no one to step foot in it to prolong its existence.
Most people would use food as a juxtaposition to represent this great nation. You’ve heard the burger, hot dog and apple pie comparisons, but have you ever wondered why this is so? The hamburger traces its origins back to Hamburg, Germany, whilst the hot dog, or frankfurter, claims to be from Frankfurt, Germany. And for the apple pie, some say it’s linked back to the Greeks, but with its usage in America, its inconceivable to think about this desert from anywhere else.
What else do we think of? Hollywood represents the bourgeois, politics the never-ending deception, sports being in its own world, and land as a getaway into the unknown. So, what truly represents America without any kind of sinful or misleading nature?
It is easy to pound on your chest and scream out America the Great, but with no concrete basis other than what we are programmed to know, you are then just cheering for a team that is barely winning on the field for a sport that doesn’t interest you too much.
But with all that’s said, I consider myself lucky to be in this great country and I hope there will be many more years to come, and maybe even someday make this place a home for my future endeavors.
gsee@lanthorn.com
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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