I know all the words to Just You Wait Henry Higgins.
Our founders spoke and wrote in Latin. They could recite the Iliad, were familiar with the plots of the Theban plays, and quoted Marcus Aurelius. They argued with the words of Hume, Locke, and Descartes. Our nation's capitals are inspired by the ancient temples built to honor the Olympian gods. Our music theory was shaped by Catholic monks in Italy centuries ago, and all Western music flows from this foundation. The concept of human rights, as enshrined in our Constitution, was first articulated by Dominican monks in Spain.
European luminaries marveled at young America, seeing it as the emerging cultural heir of Western civilization. Dvořák composed his New World Symphony in tribute, Tocqueville provided a detailed analysis of our society. Americans took this rich cultural heritage and built upon it, creating new art forms, pioneering scientific breakthroughs, exploring the vastness of the heavens, unlocking the secrets of our genome, stepping onto other worlds, and developing technology that connects the globe.
Even the most superficial aspects of culture: food, clothing, music, have been transformed by America. We have built a society of technological marvels and material abundance, founded on the best traditions of the Old World.
It has taken extraordinary effort and untold amounts of propaganda, to convince people that America is a cultural void. It’s a take as ignorant as it is exhausted.