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Preeti on the Web |
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Providing Food for Thought |
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The Need for a Global Perspective |
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Understanding the rich diversity of human thought and behavior that exists not just in the United States, but globally, is key to dissolving the ignorance that leads to hatred and violence. |
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Americans must learn about other countries, cultures |
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October 7, 2001 |
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Note: An edited version of this opinion column appeared in the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper in October 2001. I remember my first day of seventh grade in late August of 1990 at Lexington Traditional Magnet School. Third hour, I had social studies. The teacher asked if anyone could point out Iraq on the map pinned to the wall. Iraq had invaded Kuwait three weeks earlier, so such a question was relevant. No student raised a hand. Most had blank expressions on their faces. Finally, I got up and pointed out Iraq on the map. The teacher look surprised. I felt the same. Did no one else know where this country was? This example illustrates the message I present today: Now more than ever, we need to foster a better understanding of other cultures and countries. Following September 11’s terrorist attacks, numerous hate crimes were committed out of pure ignorance about Arab-Americans, Muslims and others of brownish skin tone. A Sikh man originally from India, for example, was shot just a few days after the terrorist attacks. I doubt whoever killed him knew anything about the Sikh religion or why Sikh men wear turbans. Ignorance led to a case of mistaken identity and a senseless death. The vast majority of Americans have decried these acts of hatred. This is to be commended. The very fact that numerous hate crimes have been committed, however, still shows that more must be done to dispel the cultural misunderstandings existing within the United States. The fact that people actually have to be told that Islam does not tolerate terrorism and that not all Arabs are terrorists shows the extensive lack of understanding that existed in the first place. My experience growing up in Lexington has taught me that the knowledge that most Kentuckians have about other cultures and countries is limited. As the daughter of Indian immigrants, I have met people that do not know on what continent India is located, much less what its major languages or religions are. Yet in this era of globalization, people of different cultures will be forced to interact with one another more often. This brings forth the potential for both conflict and cooperation. If we want to coexist peacefully with others, we have to be able to view the world through their eyes and determine why they see the world as they do. Doing this requires us to know more about another countries’ customs, politics, religions, languages and economic situations. We gain this understanding through education, both formal and informal. I encourage anyone that is a student (or planning to return to school) to study a foreign language. In addition to acquiring vocabulary and grammar, you will be learning about another people, their literature, their history and their traditions. I would also recommend visiting foreign countries for anyone that can travel. I spent last spring studying in Spain and lived with a Spanish family. By experiencing every facet of Spanish daily life, I gained a broader understanding of the culture and worldview of another country. Learning about other cultures can occur on a more informal level as well. Even sources such as National Geographic magazine and the Discovery Channel allow glimpses into cultures distinct from our own. Breaking away from the isolation of interacting with only those having a background similar to one’s own also fosters cross-cultural understanding. Some of my richest experiences at the University of Kentucky have been making friends with individuals from backgrounds in sharp contrast to my own. Groups representing sub-communities within the larger American society have to extend beyond their boundaries and make their existence known to the wider public. The Indo-American community within the Bluegrass area, for example, had collected $6,000 in donations for the Red Cross and Salvation Army as of early last week. Local groups such as the Bluegrass Indo-American Civic Society are continuing to raise additional funds. Through such actions, members of sub-communities are making known both their positive role within larger American society and their solidarity with it. Understanding the rich diversity of human thought and behavior that exists not just in the United States, but globally, is key to dissolving the ignorance that leads to hatred and violence. The United States is a country that, unlike many others, openly embraces the diversity of its people. Still, however, more progress needs to be made in gaining a deeper understanding of other cultures and countries. Doing so is critical if we wish to prevent future violence and desire to promote a more harmonious existence within a world marked by a rich plurality of cultures. |