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University Daily Kansan Wednesday, May 18, 1953
What Kind of People Are We?
An American-As a Foreigner Sees Him
Americans long have regarded themselves as the most enterprising people in the world. They long have prided themselves on their technological advancements and their power as a political force. They long have lived snuggly in the knowledge that theirs was the richest land of all.
It is less often, but with great curiosity, that they stop to wonder just how they are observed and respected by others; though they turned their backs on the mother country, they often behave as independent children—wanting words of praise but bristling at diverse opinions.
They have subsequently often come to ask about themselves—what kind of a people are we? It was such a question that prompted Henry Steele Commager to edit a collection of views by a number of perceptive foreigners who were interested in presenting "America in Perspective."
It is now, as then, that when Americans ask such questions that they realize perhaps for the first time that what really matters is not the might of their military forces or their advanced industries. The important factor is the national character which has developed. The people can rest secure in their defensive might; they cannot feel secure about the intangible factors until they actually know that the nation's moral standards and values are accepted and cherished. Until they can realize such an ideal, they cannot call theirs the perfect land.
America has had an extremely brief historical period, yet from its beginning it has been a laboratory for the observation of democracy at work. Of this, the people observed can be justly proud: democracy was successfully established with the social, psychological, and political equalization of all. Such equality, previously unknown, was the result of a mass effort toward public education, a system of courts which upheld the Constitution, and a Christian concept that all men are brothers.
The factor which assured at least partial success for the experiment was that of true freedom and opportunity for the individual; it was that force behind American energy which causes wonderment in foreign lands to this day. It was the simple joy which was the emigrant's when he found himself with a job on an American farm, doing honest labor for an employer who was his equal, and fed him at the same table as such.
It was the freedom which was his to save his salary, eventually buy land of his own on credit, work hard, and reap the harvests which were his own.
However, the riches which were eventually made in such a manner, and the finishing touches which were applied to the capitalistic system made the observers frown and comment that this was a society which worshipped the dollar. America became regarded as the big race for more and more money, at the expense of quality and true workmanship.
It was this characteristic which prompted Alexis de Tocqueville to write: "... among democratic nations, a writer may flatter himself that he will obtain at a cheap rate a meagre reputation and a large fortune. For this purpose he need not be admired; it is enough that he is liked.
It has been only recently, in terms of history, that the American people have cultivated their own arts, music, literature, and customs. Such developments have tended to lessen the criticisms that their concern for material well-being produced a purely materialistic civilization.
Now the criticisms are directed at the public apathy toward its politics and government. Such apathy is due, they point out, to the commonness of mind which equality has brought. The luxurious classes, who find themselves of no more account than the average voter, are disgusted by the superficial vulgarities of public life. Though the reasoning of such a viewpoint is sincerely debated by most Americans, the threat to democracy is nonetheless prevalent.
Finally, the observers question the popularization of Freud in American society—adding that Freud, perhaps more than any other person, has added to the need of psychoanalysis for more and more Americans. Emotions have become so much data, for here was a system that explained why love was so often imperfect. All problems were reduced to sexual maladjustments due to a mistake made by either parent during an individual's infancy.
The analyses contributed by the foreign observers are enlightening, but the problem still remains. As Mr. Commager said, it will continue to command the interest of the world: "What is the American, this new man?" —Irene Coonfer
..Oh Well..
Bv JON
There was a time when a guy could coin a clause like "We Sell Hogs" and not think a thing about it. But no longer. Oh, no; these are the days of logic and reasoning (and bilge and junk like that there). These are times when a man must be able to explain and tell the whyfors of statements.
Fristance, just yesterday my hillbilly-type friend sashayed up to me, plopped his Webb Pierce-type carcars down on a stack of Hank Snow records and said, "Why?"
"Why you sellin' them hogs?"
"What hoes?"
"Why?" I countered.
"Them hogs," he said, pointing at nothing in particular but in the general direction of some friends of mine.
"Hogs?" I said, looking the same general direction and unconceally comparing those friends to porkers.
"Yes, hogs! Hogs! Hogs!" He emphasized each bacon rind by breaking a new Hank Thompson record over my head. Then I got the scent of that which he was speaking; it wafted into my nostrils gently as the aromatic flavors of Moonbeam McSwine.
"I ain't sellin' hogs," I said.
"You ain't!
Fatherly Advice Department:
Monday, on these pages, there appeared in this rag a letter which should have caused every masculine-type male's chest to swell with pride. It pointed out the virtues of informative writing. . .
And told the world of the errs of women ("ambiguous" women).
Flaunting this in the faces of my female-type women friends, I cried: "Look, look." I was about to jog off to have it framed when I noticed; alas, I noticed: his classification.
- * *
But my advice would be this:
Don't grow up too fast. Seems as how a bunch of all-American-type boys down Oklahoma A&M way discovered the opposite sex last week.
A couple of 'em were expelled and several others put on probation for a chemise charivari (that's Egyptian for panty raid).
* *
Contemplation Department: The Aggie fun-lovers launched this lingerie lassoing the day after the Achievement day down there. They got the day off on Achievement day. All it takes is a day off to build up enough energy to get booted out of school.
Moral: No uprising this week;
maybe two uprisings next week.
Neki Hokey Department: You just talk about the trials and tribulations of finals time. Over at Topeka four lads decided to do something about it. They're all eight years old. They set fire to the grade school.
Remember when all the dinner jackets were white? Needless to say, they aren't now. They come in all colors: blues, pinks, and even such shades as banana.
Comes now the song of the low-stocked haberdasher: "Yes, we have no banana."
the day—Story with a moral.
Did you hear the one about the guy named Moss who rushed out to a bakery truck to buy some rolls? The driver didn't hear his yells to stop so Moss threw stones. The stones scared the driver away.
Junk Department: Subject for the day.—Story, with a moral.
Moral: A rolling Moss gathers no stones.
Ob Well * * *
5 Cents for a Better Caption
(Ed. Note—It comes the third in a series. But somehow it seems the same guy submitted all the gags. He'd be covered with nickels—if he'd signed his name. Let's try it again, and this time let us know who 'yare!')
Oh Well.
"James, go wire Secretary Benson to pray for my bath."
"Seram, thou too willing suspension of disbelief!"
"Please wait outside 'til I call you."
"Lumpkin, my man, go draw my bath."
And a parting shot . . .
"Vamoose, Los Alamos, you're a cultural lag."
"Well—don't just stand there, hand me the soap!"
—Charlene May, Baldwin
You'll Be Sorry—
Why Bring a Grade Down? There's Still Time-
There are only a few days of school remaining, and it is easy to get into that "I don't care attitude" toward class work. After all, the season is great for picnics and just general loafing.
A lot of students seem to feel that what they do (or don't do) for the last few class periods won't make any difference anyway. But in many cases, especially when the student is on the borderline between two grades, that attitude does make a difference.
It would be nice, it instructors didn't make any assignments during the last two weeks, but it's just a dream. They do make assignments—sometimes heavier than usual.
If a student has worked hard all semester there is no point in letting down now. Why ruin a grade by not turning in the last assignment or not being able to recite because the last chapter wasn't read?
On the other hand, a little extra effort might raise the grade a notch. It's a bit late to manufacture some enthusiasm that hasn't been there all semester, but a flash at the finish might help.
It isn't uncommon at this stage of the semester for a student to find himself with a few overdue assignments. When this situation arises there is no excuse for loaf-
ing. Whether the student is interested in his grade or not, he is obligated to fulfill the requirements of the class. If he had kept up with the class he probably could afford to relax a little now.
The student probably will regret it if he lets down now. The "I don't care" attitude just as well be changed to "there is only one more week—why waste it?"
Some students feel that they owe it to themselves to play now because they will be under so much pressure during final week. But the harder they work now, the less they will have to do during final week. And anyway, it's very unusual to find a person who doesn't take a break or two during final week.
Lee Ann Urban
Daily Hansan
Member of the Inland Daily Press association. Associated Collegiate Press association. Represented by the National Advertising Association. Mail subscription rates, $3 a semester or $4.50 a year (add $1 a semester if in university published at Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon, year except Saturdays and Sundays, University holidays and examination periods, sept. 17, 1910; second class matrons, sept. 17, 1910; post office under act of March 3, 1879.)
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