In 2004, Wallace Shawn wrote a magazine “An American publishes a magazine”. He published this magazine to speak about the reactions that Americans had towards photos of american soldiers mocking and physically abusing helpless individuals. He states that the general public did in fact become effected by the photos and were shocked (pg 49). This claim intertwines with this later claims of himself feeling unperturbed by the words “The United States”. Wallace Shawn states that he is “up to my neck in being american”(pg 51) which he continues to state he is not in favor of being an american although he has received the conveniences of being an american. His preferences are stated at the end of the magazine where his ideal way of life would not be as restricted as he says the united states is. He was born in New York city and uses his experiences there to show the difference of being a part of the united states while also not being a part of it as well.