I would like to respond to Phatangel's article about the ongoing fight between some Canadians and some Americans. I am Canadian, and I know my friend, Phatangel, didn't mean to, but to me at least she made Canadians seem like the enemy.

Sometimes Canadians start the fight, but Americans have started their share of fights too. First of all, I want everyone to know what stereotype and prejudice are. Stereotype is a conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image. Prejudice is an adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.

Usually, if I get into a fight with someone, it's because they stereotype Canadians. Once in a while, I'll see Canadians stereotyping Americans, but I think it's pretty rare. About 53% of all Canadian/American fights happen because people are prejudiced.

All I want to do is get some information straight about Canadians and Americans, so we can all be a little more knowledgeable.

Canadians:

-are definitely NOT lumberjacks, Eskimos, etc. (although there might be some)

Americans:

-aren't all hillbillies, rednecks, hicks, etc. and don't all talk with an accent! (some do, though)

There are more, but I interviewed an unbiased sample of people and I concluded these. But, I also want to talk about people in other countries. One of my best friends on Whyville is getting made fun of a lot because he isn't Canadian or American -- he's Australian. No matter where you are from, you do have a lot of pride for your country, and it's ok to have pride, but remember: If someone from another country was dissin people from your country, would you like it?

Vamp