What I also find interesting is how would people feel if another country came into the United States and tried to change our way of life over here? If another world superpower had a different way of life and felt that it is the best form of government to which everyone else should adopt, what would be our reaction as Americans? Would we really stand by and let another country change our democratic lifestyle over here, or would we be ready to fight and defend ourselves? Is there any reason why we should be surprised how people in many areas around the world really feel about the United States? Sure, there are some people in other countries who may agree with what the U.S. is doing, but there are many people around the world who don't agree with the actions of the U.S. At some point, the United States needs to recognize the cultural differences that exist around the world and stop trying to assimilate other cultures into the American way of life. Whereas this country's principles include religious tolerance and equality for everyone, some other countries principles are based on religious and/or cultural traditions that are different than ours.
(cont'd) It seems like regardless of which time era we are dealing with, the United States will say that it is time for a particular regime in another country to go. Then, the U.S. opens up its checkbook and starts giving away billions and billions of dollars to these other countries. If the political leaders in this country truly listened to the citizens of this country, I would venture to say that many people would be in favor of the money that is being given to foreign countries be spent over in this country instead. It’s long overdue for the United States to recognize that cultural differences exist throughout the world and that these cultural differences existed long before the United States even became a country. Just like many of those other countries’ government provides propaganda to its citizens about the United States, so too does the U.S. Government provide propaganda about other cultures to the people of the United States. By using this propaganda to justify some other hidden interests and agendas that the United States may have, the United States will continue to be a target of resentment from many other cultures around the world.
(cont'd) When you consider how the United States has its hand in so many issues around the world and talks about the need to have democracy in all other areas like we have over here in the U.S., it’s as if the United States has a total disregard for some of these other cultures and their ways of life. Just because our culture over here is what works for this country, that doesn’t mean our way of life is suitable for every other culture around the world? Should anyone really be surprised at the reception that the United States receives when it goes in to handle the affairs of other countries? I always find it interesting when someone in the government says how the U.S. needs to go into some of these other countries and fix the problems in those countries when the U.S. has shown it can’t even correct all of the problems in this country. It just seems like so much hypocrisy when it comes to that and a lack of credibility. It’s sort of similar to some church leaders will tell families how to live and what they need to do, yet they have so many problems and issues going on within their own families.
When I listened to the culture on ethnocentrism, it reminded me of how so many of the problems in the world today can be attributed because of cultural differences that exist within society as well as the fact that many people have so many stereotypes and prejudices about other cultures and ethnicities. I definitely think that far too often many people tend to look on the surface of an individual’s culture and make assumptions about the individual without really getting to know the person as an individual. One thing that always interests me in when a person from one culture will say to a person of another culture “I know how you must feel” or “I know what you must be going through.” Do they understand what the individual is going through, or do they just use those lines as a way to try and show a sense of empathy for the individual?
One thing that I find very interesting is how politicians can justify sending billions of dollars to other countries around the world yet support reductions in this country in the field of education. It just seems like there is a though process shared by many people in this country that unless something directly impacts you than it really doesn’t concern you. Should school students really be penalized because they may have a lower socio-economic background than students from a more affluent school district? Why is the quality of education largely tied to socio-economics? For far too long in this country, people have suffered. You can even look at the health care debate in this country and how a certain segment of the population are fine with the millions of people who can’t afford health care and that everyone shouldn’t be afforded the opportunity for health care. Are we that selfish of a society that we can just look the other way while those who are less fortunate are just left to suffer?
(cont'd) When you look at some of these same politicians cutting funding for public schools, they are also reducing the amount of funding at colleges and universities. Again, I feel fortunate that I am attending Penn State in pursuit of another degree. This is for several reasons. The first reason is because the education at Penn State is a quality education. I have received a degree from Penn State in the past and enjoyed my first experience at Penn State so much that I am pursuing another degree at Penn State. The other reason I feel fortunate is that my employer is paying for my education. I don’t have to pay anything for my education other than the cost of the textbooks. I don’t take this for granted at all. We need for these cuts in education to stop, and people need to hold these politicians accountable for what they are doing to our public schools and universities throughout this country. As I said earlier, if the solution is higher taxes, then I am all for it.
(cont'd) Who is looking out for the inner city schools in the country and some of the poorer school districts where students don’t have the same educational opportunities than students in the some of the better or more affluent school districts? I will admit that I really don’t like the idea of paying higher taxes, but I’m am fine with paying higher taxes if that’s what it takes for public school students to get a better education in this country. Instead of people supporting the ideas of provider vouchers so that private and parochial schools can reap the benefits, why not increase the quality of education at these failing public schools. In many of the poorer areas, some parents look to use someone else’s address in another school district so that their children can get a better education. Some students are afraid to go to school because they may become the victim of crime. It’s almost as if some people don’t care about these issues because these problems aren’t taking place at their schools.
As I listened to this lecture, what came to my mind was the current state of education within this country, and the politicians who are reducing their state budgets by targeting education as a means to arrive at fiscal stability. I can honestly say that I have been very fortunate to attend the high school where I went. I went to a suburban Philadelphia public high school and truly believed that I received a top-notch education that I would put up against any private school in this country. I say that with a straight face and without hesitation. The high school I went to had a variety of programs and activities and advanced programs. Even then, I did realize how fortunate I was. However, there were many other high schools not far from mine where the students were not fortunate to have the educational opportunities that I had at my high school. This current issue with respect to education at many of the schools has been going on for a number of years. What is interesting is that some people actually support some of these politicians who call for reductions in education.
What I think is interesting also is how influential the different cosmetic companies are in how people feel about themselves and the lengths that people will do to develop a certain image. Besides the magazines, there are so many television shows that deal with beauty and what “looks good” and “what doesn’t” look good. When you hear the lecture for this lesson, it really brings into perspective how similar people really are when it comes down to the basics and how people have characteristics more in common with one another than they even realize. If more people realized how common all of our roots are with one another, maybe there would be more of an effort to address and solve some of the racial problems that currently exist within society?
(cont'd) It just seems that if politicians really wanted to help end some of the racial problems that continue to be a problem in this country, they would make more of an effort to avoid putting things in racial contexts. As long as so many aspects surrounding politics involve race and racial attributes, the struggle to minimize racial problems and improve race relations will continue to be a struggle.
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