Sarah Reyner

November
English 102
Title
Have you even noticed that when a subject who possesses any sort of authority
makes decisions or uses power, Americans find themselves squirming restlessly in their
seat? It is observed that the majority of America encompasses the mindset of directing
suspicion towards certain administrative figures. The presumption of corruption within
leadership can be attributed to learned beliefs that are prevalent in American culture.
Senses of hostility that possess the minds of many is camouflaged by senseless
justifications and many have become numb to any type of acute awareness. The
blindness of mistrust proves to be detrimental to us as citizens and our country as a
whole. Such American ideologies are portrayed in Michael Greenburgs article New
York: The Police and the Protestors, a personal account of the Occupy Wall Street
movement. Masha Lipmans article The Pussy Riot Verdict condemns the Russian
indictment of three young women for what was he/she believes to be a denial of
freedom of speech and assembly by Russian authority. Each of these articles portrays
the American apprehension toward their leaders of society.

The animosity demonstrated towards authoritative figures by the citizens of the

United States can be attributed to American culture as a consequential result. Ideas of
apprehension are injected into the conscience starting in early childhood. Numerous
fairytales and fables star the character that holds the power to be portrayed as the
antagonist and the commons or peasant people as the heroic figures or victims. The
history of the U.S. is additionally based on gallant tales that portray colonial bravery and
strife as they overcame the dominion of Great Britain. We are educated from grade
school with numerous depictions of the people overcoming a totalitarian force that
imposed harsh restrictions and regulations, which induces skepticism towards our own
countrys leaders. The abhorrence of a sovereign, preeminent, and powerful
government is made clear by the democratic style government the people of this nation
have set in place. Stipulations, such as the system of checks and balances and elected
offices, have been composed to restrict the power of our leaders, alleviating this
quizzical apprehension targeted on authority.
It is human nature to place blame on someone or something for the issues that
are out of our own control. Many of the times speculation directed towards the nations
leaders can be attributed to the longing to direct fault at any particular source. On
numerous occasions the misinterpretation of our basic rights is the primary source of
conflict with governmental decisions.

-give example of police

-

Greenberg provides an accurate account of american animosity as he recalls

protests assumption the police were representatives of an enemy state, [by] cursing in
their faces across the metal barricades, hoping to provoke a violent response. Laws
represent restriction and police officers therefor are associated as restrictors. People do
not like to be held accountable for their actions. There always seems to be the duty to
justify oneself of place the blame on another.