Re: With All Due Respect..., or People don't always want to know

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Posted by Anne in CT on September 14, 2001 at 23:32:11:

In reply to: With All Due Respect... posted by Anne Beltestad on September 14, 2001 at 22:20:14:

Hej Anne,

I don't think many Americans appreciate or understand the
ramifications of American actions in the world. Perhaps those of us
who have traveled abroad can gain a better understanding of this, and
that nations do not always speak for or in the best interests of
their citizens. History is a complex animal, and knowing that one's
country has not always behaved in what you or I or another might
consider an ethical and moral way is hard for many to accept.

Several years ago, I took a holiday in Egypt. It's a beautiful
country and full of history (at the time I was seriously considering
getting my MA in Ancient Near Eastern History). Many of the people
in my tour group were ignorent not only of Egyptian history but of
Islam and Egyptian laws. Their attitude seemed to be, Well - I'm
American. I shouldn't have to learn all this stuff. (There were, of
course, exceptions to this.)

The people I met were very friendly and helpful, which went against
what my co-workers and family thought. They were afraid of my
traveling alone in a tour group in a Middle Eastern nation. And I
must admit that I felt a certain amount of safety because I was an
American tourist. One of the tour guides I met was amazed that he'd
met an American who respected the country and was not automatically
pro-Israli/anti-Palistinain (that being our reputation; that and
white American single women only come to Egypt for sex . . .).

Perhaps it is only when we view one another as people rather than
representative of a particular government, ethnicity or religion that
we will be able move beyond the destruction that rises from
differences.

Blind patriotism of the "my country wrong or right" is no better than
the extreem beliefs that lead to Tuesday's tragedy.

Anne in CT

: But this event did not happen in a vacuum. It is the culmination
of
: decades of American arrogance throughout the world. It is a
horrible
: tragedy, and profoundly wrong, but as my roommate said this morning
: it is to some extent the United States' chickens coming home to
roost.
: Let us not be blinded by the patriotism, the rallying behind the
: flag, the waggling of our huge military might, so that we do not
see
: the role our own government has played in the creation of these
: events.
: Feel free to email me if you'd like to discuss.
:
: peace,
:
: Anne

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: Hej Anne, : : I don't think many Americans appreciate or understand the : ramifications of American actions in the world. Perhaps those of us : who have traveled abroad can gain a better understanding of this, and : that nations do not always speak for or in the best interests of : their citizens. History is a complex animal, and knowing that one's : country has not always behaved in what you or I or another might : consider an ethical and moral way is hard for many to accept. : : Several years ago, I took a holiday in Egypt. It's a beautiful : country and full of history (at the time I was seriously considering : getting my MA in Ancient Near Eastern History). Many of the people : in my tour group were ignorent not only of Egyptian history but of : Islam and Egyptian laws. Their attitude seemed to be, Well - I'm : American. I shouldn't have to learn all this stuff. (There were, of : course, exceptions to this.) : : The people I met were very friendly and helpful, which went against : what my co-workers and family thought. They were afraid of my : traveling alone in a tour group in a Middle Eastern nation. And I : must admit that I felt a certain amount of safety because I was an : American tourist. One of the tour guides I met was amazed that he'd : met an American who respected the country and was not automatically : pro-Israli/anti-Palistinain (that being our reputation; that and : white American single women only come to Egypt for sex . . .). : : Perhaps it is only when we view one another as people rather than : representative of a particular government, ethnicity or religion that : we will be able move beyond the destruction that rises from : differences. : : Blind patriotism of the "my country wrong or right" is no better than : the extreem beliefs that lead to Tuesday's tragedy. : : Anne in CT : : : : But this event did not happen in a vacuum. It is the culmination : of : : decades of American arrogance throughout the world. It is a : horrible : : tragedy, and profoundly wrong, but as my roommate said this morning : : it is to some extent the United States' chickens coming home to : roost. : : Let us not be blinded by the patriotism, the rallying behind the : : flag, the waggling of our huge military might, so that we do not : see : : the role our own government has played in the creation of these : : events. : : Feel free to email me if you'd like to discuss. : : : : peace, : : : : Anne
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