Recently I was coming back from China to the US with an American airline. A couple on the plane had a baby, who they just adopted in China and were bringing back home. A flight attendant was passing by and made a remark: "When she learns to talk, teach her to say 'Thank you, America' ".
I don't know how the couple reacted, but I felt that the comment was offensive. I mean, this baby is their child now and she is (or soon will be) an American citizen herself; moreover, not only the baby needed parents, the parents also wanted a baby, so both sides are equaly greatful. And the comment implies that their child is somewhat inferior and should not forget she is adopted, while biological children of American parents should be more confident and have more rights.
Do you also think this remark was insulting, or is it just me?
2007-04-28 02:27:00 · 15 answers · asked by Kaytee 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
to hill6399: love for the country, patriotism - of course they will teach the child all these things. But I don't imagine this remark would have been made if they had their biological baby on the lap...
2007-04-28 02:38:35 · update #1
Yes, the comment was made by an American flight attendant.
2007-04-28 02:42:44 · update #2
Although the answerer above me is correct in saying we should be grateful we are Americans, because the U.S. is a good country, I don't think that the flight attendent meant it that way.
She was implying that because the baby was Chinese, and normally would not have had the oppurtunity to an American life, but was adopted, that the baby was somehow not as "good" as just a normal child. That is extremely rude, rascist, and offensive. People, especially children, should be discriminated against! I find that very very insulting, and I'm no longer suprised that some foreign countries call Americans rude. A Chinese child, or a German child, or an African American child, they all have the same right to an American life! America is a melting pot of all the nationalities, that is what makes it beautiful. There are not true people with "American blood" besides arguably Native Americans. This prejudiced remark butts heads with the very essence of our country, and it angers me that this woman said it like it was America's doing that the people decided to adopt the child, as if it were partly HER idea to care for the baby. The family had decided that they wanted a baby, and they adopted a Chinese baby. It is just like having another baby, and the woman had no right to say that the child is lucky that America is accepting it. The baby is just another person, and this rude woman only saw the child as something to make fun of.
Yes, I find this extremely insulting. Yes, I would take offense if it were my baby. And I am sorry for this long answer, but I am very passionate about some things.
Good luck, and God bless that baby and the family that adopted her.
2007-04-28 02:48:21 · answer #1 · answered by ~S~ is for Stephanie! 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think the proper way to describe the comment is "stupid".
This flight attendant is saying that a baby, apparently an orphan or unwanted baby, is being taken to America by people with the means and desire to raise it. She is saying that the baby should be thankful that our country has such wealth and numbers of good people that it benefited by our system. She is assuming that the baby would not have had as many advantages if it was raised in the circumstances it was living through in China. I do not have a crystal ball and we will never know whether the baby would have been better off in the end to reamin in China, it will forever be a unsolved mystery. I mean who knows, the child could have ended up being one of Chinas great musicians or politiciians or even a scientist benefiting their people. Here, they could end up being a spoiled kid who goes on to be a CPA.
She is probably right. She is absolutely wrong to open her mouth and impose her view of this on the adoptive parents. It is really none of your business as well. The flight attendant simply was an insensitive busy body and those people and comments are best ignored.
2007-04-28 03:25:45 · answer #2 · answered by tk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I agree that the child should say "Thank you", albeit not to America but to his or her adopted parents. When the stewardess made that comment, she is applying that the child primarily owes America for giving him or her a better life, when clearly, the ones he or she owes the most are the adopted parents. I would definitely be offended if I were the couple.
2007-04-28 02:40:17 · answer #3 · answered by Nerdz R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A thoughtless and inappropriate comment, but I bet the flight attendant meant no harm. These are the kinds of comments I would usually just recommend reponding to with a noncommital smile rather than making a stink over it.
2007-04-28 06:41:24 · answer #4 · answered by Stephen L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on whether the comment was made by an American. If the comment was made by someone who was not American it may have been taken as a compliment but if it was made by an American it could be construed as arrogant or rude!
2007-04-28 02:41:30 · answer #5 · answered by Mo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is innapropriate for Americans to be adopting Asian babies like they are going to the pound and only want a certian kind of dog. There are thousands of children right here in america that need adopted.
2007-04-28 04:12:52 · answer #6 · answered by Voice of Liberty 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I first of all think it was none of her beeswax.
Secondly, she meant it as a compliment to the new parents. Implied in the statement is that the life of the baby would be better in the US, than in china. That would mean that it was nice of the parents to "rescue" the baby.
Probably could very easily been misconstrued by any in ear shot to imply that they hadn't said thank you, to the stewardess.
BTW who cares? It's a stewardess. Not your wife.
2007-04-28 02:47:16 · answer #7 · answered by Wonka 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My guess:
It was a well meaning remark from a narrow minded, nativist political conservative. Given her likely world view, it was one of the nicer things she is capable of saying.
2007-04-28 03:07:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let's see, the USA will provide free education and freedom of speech, worship, etc.
If the baby stayed in China, it would not get those things and more.
So who should the baby thank? China or America!
Of course the baby should thank America!
And legally the baby is inferior in some ways.
It was just busy body you!
2007-04-28 02:45:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I think it is highly appropriate. Think about it what if they were never able to adopt foriegn children, and this country has so much to offer. Unlike a communist government. As I myself, thank america for alot, where some are ungrateful. And I am grateful for having served my country.
2007-04-28 02:35:45 · answer #10 · answered by hill6399 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋