Early US Settlers

Submitted by Cathy (United States), Dec 25, 2005 at 20:27

The early settlers in the US were not all poor and working class. There were also some European "aristocrats" and upper middle class who came here and then formed an elite over here.

However, it is true that Euroeans tend to think the US is comprised of the ancestors of peasants and convicts.

However, the US has developed a contrived elitism of its own, one which seems to often attempt to equate European aristoracy and elites by birth with white trash. For example, "Eurotrash". In "The Human Stain", the Kidman character comes from wealth and priviledge. But because she has been abused, and works at odd jobs it is clear she is now considered "white trash".

The new elites in America are supposedly doctors and lawyers, and that sort. Someone from inherited European priviledge is not only not considered to be up to their level, but will often be viewed with disdain and disrespect in the US The only way around this is to conform 100% to the new American way of life, and strictly obey its social rules .

Of course, European royalty will be treated with an outwardly welcoming display. But then again, I rather wonder why the cast of "Sex and the City" was invited to Charles and Camilla's reception n New York...

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