Americans under attack
Somehow, I get the feeling America and Americans have become the some new symbol of repression. It seems people around the world hate Americans because they consider us to be arrogant, overbearing, loud, short-sighted, aggressive, and almost imperialist.
They see Americans as takers and not givers.
Recently, there were attacks on foreigners in India. The attackers wanted to find anyone who had US or British Passports. I told a friend about this, and she said, "But why the British?", which sounded to me like, Americans, oh that is understandable.
If some attacker with guns calling out Americans and British stepped up to me, I would do my best Danish impression, "I'm from Coppenhagen Denmark!" Why Denmark? Because I think few people can distinguish what a fake Danish accent sounds like.
Obviously, I don't believe America and Americans are all bad. Matter of fact, I think Americans have shown many times they are ready to step up in times of global crisis. The first to give in times of need around the world. The people you can count on when the going gets tough. Americans have done alot of good and the world takes that for granted.
How can America improve its image? How can America change the growing tide of negative attitudes towards it? A change of foreign policy is certainly in order. Does America need to have its finger in every pie? A decrease in our demand and consumption of the rest of the world's resources would be another improvement. Stop attacking places without reason or provocation would be a big step in the right direction. Help the rest of the world with medicine and technology where we are wanted without demanding a change in that country's culture and politics would make us look better. We need not bow to dictatorships and oppresive regimes, but we need to learn to show respect and genuinely try to understand other countries systems, values, cultures, and differences. Rather than demand improvement from other countries, improve our own country. Lead by example. Let others follow our lead if they so desire.
I hope these kinds of changes will improve America's image.
They see Americans as takers and not givers.
Recently, there were attacks on foreigners in India. The attackers wanted to find anyone who had US or British Passports. I told a friend about this, and she said, "But why the British?", which sounded to me like, Americans, oh that is understandable.
If some attacker with guns calling out Americans and British stepped up to me, I would do my best Danish impression, "I'm from Coppenhagen Denmark!" Why Denmark? Because I think few people can distinguish what a fake Danish accent sounds like.
Obviously, I don't believe America and Americans are all bad. Matter of fact, I think Americans have shown many times they are ready to step up in times of global crisis. The first to give in times of need around the world. The people you can count on when the going gets tough. Americans have done alot of good and the world takes that for granted.
How can America improve its image? How can America change the growing tide of negative attitudes towards it? A change of foreign policy is certainly in order. Does America need to have its finger in every pie? A decrease in our demand and consumption of the rest of the world's resources would be another improvement. Stop attacking places without reason or provocation would be a big step in the right direction. Help the rest of the world with medicine and technology where we are wanted without demanding a change in that country's culture and politics would make us look better. We need not bow to dictatorships and oppresive regimes, but we need to learn to show respect and genuinely try to understand other countries systems, values, cultures, and differences. Rather than demand improvement from other countries, improve our own country. Lead by example. Let others follow our lead if they so desire.
I hope these kinds of changes will improve America's image.
posted by Mark at
8:34 AM
1 Comments:
I think the diversity of culture and integrative national strength brings up the different characteristic around the world. All existences are reasonable.
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