Note: The daily State Press editorial will return Friday. In its place, former State Press reporter Jessica Wanke offers her views of the recent tragedy as an American ASU student studying in Florence, Italy.
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, red, white and blue flags flew here in Florence, Italy, where I and hundreds of other American students currently study and live. Signs were posted in store windows everywhere expressing remorse for the victims involved, and the U.S. National Anthem was broadcast on Italian radio stations as a proud declaration of camaraderie.
However, since last Wednesday morning's warning by the U.S. State Department that "symbols of American capitalism" in Italy will likely be targeted next for terrorist actions from extremist groups, those flags of support have been lowered and the signs of sympathy have been removed.
Within hours of the State Department's warning, the central train station in Florence, with its large concentration of Americans, was cleared out due to bomb scares, and by Wednesday afternoon the doors to the language school for foreign students where I study were locked and dead-bolted "for safety reasons."
Now that anything associated with America is a potential target, the European sentiment seems to be polarizing toward neutrality. Mounting fear of attacks on American-oriented businesses, such as money exchange offices, Internet cafes and fast food restaurants, is replacing notions of compassion by Europeans with a sharp realization of the threat that Americans abroad pose to their host cities.
The depleting support by Europeans has left a mood set by displaced Americans here trying to piece together the events of our homeland from half way across the world.
In America, patriotism is higher than it has ever been, and Americans are more than ever outwardly supportive of our country and its leaders. In contrast, Americans in Italy are advised to hide their nationality. We're told "not to look like Americans." And while the iconography of the American flag is more potent than ever, I have met scores of American students with a Canadian flag sown to their backpacks, in fear of the current stigma and potential harm that could come with being identified with America.
Having the ideals of my country challenged has made me realize how lucky I am. It makes me sad, not only that I am not with my fellow Americans at our country's most unified time, but also that while my friends at home celebrate their Americanism I must hide my nationality.
When I decided to study abroad I did so because I wanted to experience a culture which I perceived to be more refined and somehow better than that of my native country. Ironically, the unfolding of the last few hellish weeks has given me the foresight to realize what I have been taking for granted.
If anything comes from this tragedy, I realize that no matter where I am in the world or who I'm trying to be, I am proud to be American.
" I have met scores of American students with a Canadian flag sown to their backpacks, in fear of the current stigma ... "
Jessica Wanke is a journalism senior studying in Florence, Italy. Reach her at jlwanke@hotmail.com.
