Americans typically don't see themselves as having much, if any, connection with Europe, even if their descendants arrived from that continental breakfast of ethnicity, culture and language.
Yet, I can't help ponder whether this once upstart nation is becoming more European-like as technology continues to pull together the two continents, long kept distant by a vast ocean. Take, for instance, tonight's Super Bowl, where the Baltimore Ravens played the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans.
These three sisters are distinctly untypical of American cities. By their architecture and their culture, Baltimore and New Orleans are reminiscent of the Old Country; San Francisco is more a Pacific Rim city, similar to the gothams of east Asia: Hong Kong to Tokyo to Singapore.
Yes, American culture dominates in these cities, but it doesn't crush other cultures as it does in most cities, particularly in the Midwest. Even those cities, though, are starting to experience new cultures that were once considered too exotic for good ole American sensibilities.
Give a person a chance to experience something new, something different, something foreign, and it's surprising how positively they respond. Fear not the unknown.
What makes the Super Bowl, America's game, bring to mind our growing (possibly) European-ness is the name of Baltimore's team: the Ravens. Named after a poem from 19th century literature that was written by an American writer, Edgar Allan Poe, whose characteristics were very much European.
It has to say something that Americans, who typically root for teams named after animals with no connection to high-brow culture, are cheering a team named after a poem.
Perhaps we are entering a new age of enlightenment. The Ravens did beat the 49ers to become the Super Bowl Champs.
Edgar would have been proud.
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