| View Blog
|
|
|
This Friday is midsömmar. So, everything will be closing down, people will be having a special dinner with friends and family, there will be dancing, good food and a wonderful greeting to summer. I'm not going to go into the whole history and story of Midsömmar, after all, you can just Wiki it ;O) I'm just gonna ramble a bit.
When I first got here, and experienced it for the first time, it was OK. Have to admit, I loved the food....well some of the food...not too much into some of the fish. I figure my DH does his meals different from everyone else, but still holds onto the traditions. What is funny, I found a American city that is the "Sweden of the States." Yes, I snickered and found it humorous. Being away from the states I think most people would. I never grasped it until now, until living here in Sweden...not that it was much of an issue for me before, since I'm native.
My DH and some others are always asking me, "why if they want to be Swedish (and any other nationality), and so on, why don't they move back to Sweden, or what ever country they came from?" Can't answer it. When he was in the states with me, he always found it funny how everyone introduced themselves as "Swedish-American, German-American, and so on" he couldn't understand why people do that. He is always telling me that in Sweden you don't say "Hi! I'm Chinese-Swedish, or German-Swedish, its always I'm Chinese or German. Then for the next generation of immigrants, they always say I'm born and raised in Sweden, my family comes from Thailand etc." Have to say, he's right...I can even admit how strange it sounds when I hear people saying that on TV or in movies (you know the whole Swedish-American thing).
It brings some interesting thoughts and theories though, maybe the US should only consider themselves as straight up Americans and embrace that fact. Other countries embrace that fact, why not the states? Instead of being German-Americans and so on, why not try - "I'm American" and leave it at that. One person asked me once, who is still living in the states (I miss you) "Do you think we are a nation of lost people and lost identities?" I don't know. Could be. Maybe.
What about the Natives? Well, my people have been almost wiped out, and some tribes are gone forever, but if Australians and New Zealanders can live in peace with their natives so can white Americans. These countries have apologized to their natives, gave them respect, dignity and what was rightfully theirs, so could America. Whoops! Did I go too far? I don't think so, but I'll save that one for another day..............
|
|
Posted by Truebluedrmr on 2008-06-18 05:03:06 | Rating: | Views: 40
|
| |
|
|
