Trashy
I'm always disillusioned by the constant reminder that we live in the greatest and wealthiest country in the world, yet much of what I see contradicts that claim (Note to critical curmudgeons: I'm not saying we're not great, I would just like to be better).
Perhaps it's where I live that scattered trash and dilapidated houses inhabit much of what I see day to day. But I don't think so. I see these reminders of carelessness and poverty whether I'm in Montrose or on Exchange. I see cigarette butts thrown from Hummers as well as clunky Oldsmobiles.
I noticed the pictured can and wrenched parking bumper near The University of Akron, but the picture could just as easily have taken at my high school or Summit Mall.
Constantly being told that we live in the greatest country makes us discard much of the failures and deficiencies around us and dismisses the necessity of progress. I don't question that our country is great, but I do question the constant reminder that we are. It seems like a sort of denial--so long as we say we're great, there's no need to reflect on any areas of improvement.
Side note: a trashcan sat 20 feet from this spot.
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By Greg - Friday, January 29, 2010
10 Comments:
Yes, agreed. On so many fronts, platitudes and outdated phrases of romanticized and propagandistic American greatness blind people from reality and action.
"Look beneath your lid some morning,
See those things you didn't quite consume—
The world's a can for
Your fresh garbage . . ."
Spirit 1968
The North Koreans are constantly being told they live in the greatest country in the world, but that doesn't make it true.
Excellent point BJ.
Greg, I know I've seen volunteers (downtown Akron Partnership?) picking up trash downtown. They make such a difference. Hopefully that effort will expand to the Exchange Street corridor and eventually the neighborhoods to the south of campus.
In the end, I must say this:
1. Any country with any bit of nationalism promotes itself as great and shit-free.
2. I can't accept the trash that exists in such a wealthy and highly educated country (perhaps we're not that wealthy or educated).
3. Fucking bend over and pick up the trash or show some fucking care and worth and pocket your trash until you find an appropriate receptacle.
Sorry Greg but I see a lot of nationalists who think America is the greatest thing since canned Guiness, despite not being number 1 in many areas such as: standardized test scores and/or education, health care, personal wealth, happiness, etc. If you want to clean up the area in which you live, I suggust trying to appeal to people's civic pride. The slogan, "Don't Mess With Texas," came about in an anti-litter campaign which turned out to be highly effective.
America sometimes reminds me of an aging movie star, who more and more is annoyed to have to ask people, " Don't you know who I am, I'm a STAR goddammit "?
This is a civilization in decline, with an elevated standard of living which it can no longer prop up.
That, and some people are just slobs.
On the slob issue:
Those who toss a lit cigarette out the window upon my hood on I-480 can experience adult/male/mumps --as far as I am concerned.
I was wondering if I could take my bowling ball that I no longer need with me on the Interstate and then just toss it out with the attitude: " Why not? I dont need it in my car anymore!"
not really related but kind of, Ohio has to have the dirtiest scummiest highways in America. There is always so much garbage and roadkill and no one ever cleans it up.
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