Why Americans Easily Get Offended in the 21st Century

When you are unsure about yourself, you appreciate compliments and get defensive when criticized. This describes the United States of the 21st century well. Since at least the second World War, the US was the most powerful, affluent, and admired country in the world. However, the decline began with Reagan and was hastened by Trump to its current state.

The US is no longer:

the world’s police force its moral or democratic leader the richest nation the country that people use as the globe’s “gold standard”

It is slipping behind in:

education standard of living economic performance

A New Country, New Mentality

The U.S. is a relatively new country compared to other nations. While I was in the foreign service, I served two tours in Europe and one in South America. The Europeans, for the most part, mentally saw the Americans as restless teenagers. I can agree with this for the most part, as we do not have the age or experience the older countries have. But we are getting there. South America was much more tolerant, seeing us as a stable economic neighbor and eager to learn from our good habits. We are all in this together, so we all need to remember to play nice and help each other because then we all win.

Freedom and Expression: The Good and the Chaos

A free society can get messy while sorting things out. The U.S. can be viewed as a society that values freedom of expression, but this also leads to various issues. In a society that can freely express itself, it can get messy, but it can also be more democratic and fair.

The Role of Self-Respect and Empathy

Not everyone is easily offended. Some individuals are, and this can often be attributed to the influence of self-serving individuals who do not respect others. The internet era, particularly under Trump, showcased the worst of America. We hope to recover some of our honor and morality.

The Dynamics of Victimhood

The concept of being a victim is real:

When you are hurt and don’t have the power to protect yourself When you are the target of a criminal When facing issues like racism and sexism

There is no need to defend the term "political correctness," as it is a social phenomenon that doesn't require a government role. However, not using someone's preferred term can cost you a connection with a valuable person. The role of government is to protect those who cannot protect themselves, but this often backfires when those who benefit from hurting others are opposed.

The current president's message to the world is about his constant need for gratification, and he believes he is owed more. This is a prime example of how taking offense can get someone what they want.

Conclusion

Many Americans are easily offended because it serves their interests. Taking offense can get them what they want, especially when they are in positions of privilege. It is important to understand the dynamics at play and strive to provide respect and empathy to everyone.