tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10703390.post3134407326508735948..comments2023-07-20T13:08:25.645-07:00Comments on Hastings on nonviolence: Images of US: Exceptionalism=fundamental negative attribution errorTom H. Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17098260278363929190noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10703390.post-39285946182488348872010-01-19T13:01:06.485-08:002010-01-19T13:01:06.485-08:00At no point did this incongruity in the American i...At no point did this incongruity in the American image come home to me more clearly than when I watched the "shock and awe" campaign against the Iraqi people from the vantage point of The Netherlands. While in Amsterdam I was spit at, and I could do nothing but humbly acknowledge this gesture as an expression of pain. I couldn't try to explain my position or give support to their condemnation of my country, I could only stand there and bow slightly in recognition of their suffering. <br /><br />Many fellow Americans traveling abroad took to wearing the Canadian maple leaf during that period. I seriously considered it after being berated by a German colleague as to why I didn't do more to stop the slaughter. Mostly I kept my American mouth shut, avoiding the glares I got when my nationality was unmasked by my accent. <br /><br />I remember that at breakfast in the hotel I saw a grey-haired lady sporting a sweatshirt with a gawdy sequined American flag sparkling with arrogance for all to see. I'm sure even I glared at her. <br /><br />Europeans I've met that have traversed our country often comment on how nice we really are. It's really hard to tell from the other side of the ocean, but it's true that most Americans are decent and kind. Just as the opening passage indicates, there's a desire in the American heart for peace and justice. It's up to the peace movement to build an image that speaks even to the congregants of the conservative church. We can't afford to alienate anyone. We have to make ourselves approachable so that we can share our knowledge. I don't know what that image is yet, but it's well worth pondering. <br /><br />Thanks for posting : )Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10387774648881038785noreply@blogger.com