Open any newspaper or listen to news around the world on international television, and you will be bombarded with news, reviews and turn the Arab world Muslim. This is our new post-9/11 world full of tension. No wonder that many Americans believe that the Muslim world is an enemy!
But the Islamic world is not the enemy, ignorance is the enemy. Cultural stereotypes and ignorance – and not geographical distance – separate countries and people. Despite that surveys of American public opinion shows the willingness of Americans and the interest in learning about Muslims and Arabs in their tissue society – especially post-9/11 – harmful stereotypes and generalizations continue to circulate misleading. We've seen a lot of that spread like wildfire through the Internet and email to run until the U.S. presidential election.
Islam is undoubtedly the most misunderstood religion of in the world. The average American does not know how the Arab-Muslim culture is integrated into religion. The average Arab-Muslim is mistakenly America visits are strictly controlled by interest groups against Islam. In summary, there is a profound ignorance of both parties between what we know is true and what we choose believe. Make no mistake, Americans and Arabs have opinions clear trenches and stereotypes of each other.
As recently as June 2009, most Americans believe that Obama's commitment to a "new direction" with the Muslim world is an important goal, but nearly half still have negative opinions about Islam, and that even many supporters of the dominant religion to promote violence, according to results of a Washington Post-ABC News. Although 58 percent said Islam is a peaceful religion, 55 percent of Americans surveyed admitted that they have no basic understanding of Islamic beliefs, and most do not know anyone who is Muslim. Clearly, American ignorance is a major problem.
United States is growing abroad. U.S. President Barack Obama is well respected in the Arab world, and many Arab countries are cautiously optimistic about its management with respect to intermediation peace in the Middle East.
If cultural stereotypes and misinformation Americans truly independent Arab Muslim world, then it is the Americans in this? We have cultural exchange – Teaching and businesses – across many types of organizations that are excellent hands on experience of the participants. But how complete and accurate is the scope? What are the churches, mosques, schools and parents and teaching?
What are some Cultural stereotypes average citizen to hear, and how are they for? American culture has really destroyed the family values? Is there extensive media bias Americana? Does Islam really preach violence and death? The Americans will not tolerate Muslim Arabs and their culture? What can we do to fill the division cultural?
First, try to recognize differences and not to judge. Having an open mind and willing to listen. Get concerned about something as simple as volunteering to help your community. During 2009 spring floods along the border of Minnesota and North Dakota, Minnesota and some Iraqi Muslims have worked side by side with sandbags. This gave them the opportunity to learn each other. Find a friend by e-mail correspondence as appropriate. Foreign travel wherever possible and try to immerse themselves in local culture.
The Arabs and Americans share common desires of humanity, peace, respect, love of family, educational goals and aspirations of economic and livelihood base in our economy now threatened with its vast global impact. However, the Humanity continues to be persecuted the name of religion, region, nationality and language.
Ignorance, which stems from a lack of distrust breeds knowledge of fear, and, finally, hatred, if not controlled. When ignorance is dispelled, only then can we move to promote awareness, understanding, tolerance and dialogue from one of the other culture, religion and lifestyle. Life is too short and precious to be taken hostage by ignorance and hatred.
© 2009 Coons
Mary Coons works with professionals who want to communicate more clearly in the marketplace. She does this through writing. Mary also works with different entities who want to leave a lasting legacy by documenting their family stories and life histories.
Culturally Speaking: Promoting Cross-Cultural Awareness in a Post-9/11 World was a finalist for two U.S. book awards for literary excellence in 2008 and ‘09.The book is available through http://www.bookhousefulfillment.com or http://www.culturallyspeak.com.
Coons is also the international editor for the Bahrain Telegraph, a monthly business magazine of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Mary Coons • Pen & Ink Communications • Powered by Passion •
Bad Religion “Struck A Nerve”
