I met a guy from Finland once, and after a long involved conversation that spanned world politics, his country’s perchant for producing World Rally racing champions and the comparative qualities of Finnish porters, he stopped mid-sentence and questioned my upbringing. I told him I was a local product of the public school system, good parantage and a couple semesters of community college. He paused and mused that he was puzzled, because I wasn’t like most of the other American’s he had met. I wasn’t consumed with pop culture or the amero-centric worldview that had characterized the American’s he had met here or overseas. A friend on the fringes of the conversation used that moment to chime in, telling my new Finnish friend that indeed, George shouldn’t be confused with any other American.
To me, a fine complement personally, but a sad indictment of the state of America and its perception internationally. I am not that unique, I’ve since decided. There are plenty of well-read, informed introspective and outwardly open Americans who don’t see the world atlas starting with our country at the center of all things. There are thoughtful, kind, empathetic people surrounding us, overworked to distraction maybe, but they are here. I know this, because this describes myself, my family and many of my friends. If we strip away the agenda-driven issues at the margins further, I would submit that MOST Americans are a decent people, willing to work hard, endure sacrifice and entertain tolerance in order to build a better society.
But the refrain, about not being confused with some other American, stuck with me. So late one night, lubricated by a belly full of domestic craft beer and a head filled with Keith Olbermann, I struck up a progression in the inventive key of “G” and this song was born.
“Another American Anthem” builds on the idea of there being more to America than its consumer trappings. We don’t all agree with the privatized, unfeeling imperialism of our current administration. We can’t all be distracted into compliance, amused into apathy. I’m not that fat American tourist in the James Bond films, choking on indulgence and self-centered desires. If we break out of our pigeoned-holed, corporatly programmed interests, tear down the fences of party, religeon and musical genre preferences, we can make it a better thing for all.
I really believe that, as naive as it may seem. Rise prols, unite. Take back your country, your destiny. String up the fuckers while you’re at it. But most of all, think. Then think some more. Because there is nothing more useless, more sad, than a dumb democracy.
Enjoy the song. Pass it around. And while you’re at it, smile at a stranger…It just may make your day.
