Self-criticism, is it good for America?

From the ugly to the reasonable American

This is a link to an article from Asia Media, Pacific Perspectives with Tom Plate. He is a columnist for the Asia Media News Daily. This particular column caught my eye because it talks about the typical "Ugly American" stereotype that is perceived by so many other countries as was described by William J Lederer and Eugene Burdick in their 1958 novel aout American stupidities that took place in a mythical Southeast Asian nation (a disguised Vietnam, of course).

In contrast, another novel "The Quiet American" by British writer Graham Greene, was set in 1954 Vietnam and "unveiled a landscape less of American ignorance as the cause of suffering in Asia than of the reckless American belief in its own exceptional rectitude -- a quality with the potential to make shambles of whole countries" according to Tom Plate.

I am intrigued by both of these perspectives. As someone who grew up while traveling both the United States and Europe, I find that there are many ugly Americans out there. And in my opinion it stems mostly from ignorance and/or a reluctance to accept anything that is perceived as uncomfortably different from our own culture. I would consider assigning each of these books, perhaps readings from them, to High School students. I think the outcome would be very interesting.

I think that we might be in need of some national soul searching, however, I don't that we are the most grievous of violaters when it comes to human suffering. I feel as if Americans are always getting a bad name. When I have travelled abroad, I didn't act like a so-called stupid American. I feel as if some of these stereotypes are media driven in order to cheapen the good things that have been achieved by our citizens. We do a lot of good in the world, yes there are mistakes made, but why it is that we are always demonized in the global view. There are genocides happening in the world, and we are being ridiculed because we are trying to promote a cause. For every terrible mistake we make, I feel as if there are three good things done at the same time. Americans leave this country to serve in humanitarian work. People volunteer time and money to help those in need. Just something to think about.

I think that self-critiism is important. The thing is, how does a person or a country become the best it can be if it does not constantly strive for self improvement? I think that it is an important part of a critically thinking person and as much so of a critically thinking country. To be what we are and be happy with it, never calling attention to or acknowledging our shortcomings is to not learn from history, to not learn from other people or nations. It would cause a stale conservative government, either clinging to the same old or possibly allowing people to go out unchecked. If we can do no wrong because we are American... how are we any better in and of ourselves or better than other countries? Like perhaps other countries that are caught up in that nationalist thought? It is very arrogant to think that we can do no wrong, so self critisicm is necessary on many levels to maintain our status in the constantly changing world.

It seems to me that self criticism is necessary to being a historian. This is not to say that we should not also be allowed to pat ourselves on the back when we are proud of ourselves. It also does not mean that we should say we suck for existing if we make a mistake. We will of course move on, but self criticism is inherant to learning from our mistake.

In trying to connect students to lesson content on hand, what always works best is to rely on their prior knowledge on places such as Asia and their history? For example, how do they explain the higher rates of graduation, pay rates, test scores and socio-economic status of Asians??? If they go the genetic/physical tangent, then turn the table back to them to see how their own race/ethnicity is perceived??? Are there stereotypes held by other ethnicities, by particular age groups, or even by local neighborhoods???

Second, have the students conduct fieldwork assignments such as community interviews, site visits (museums are out, for foodies, eateries and events are in...), and product inventories in their households. I have my 7th and 8th grade students do interview/essay projects every fall. For 7th, interview someone who is from another country or lived/worked at another place for a length of time. For my 8th, they interview an immigrant or a 'hero' in their community to understand the similarities we all share. For many of our LAUSD students, interview subjects are all around their reality, at home and at school...

Site visits can be encouraged in many forms. From creating theme maps or 'treasure hunt' for our local sites to networking set locations for annual visits, teachers could play a great role in leading the students and their family to exposure beyond the classroom. I try to stick to ethnic neighborhoods, or trivial L.A. facts I know to help along with the learning. One simple example is a 'treasure hunt' created for the students on our ride from the Valley to downtown: famous LA landmarks, well-known neighborhoods and off-ramps, and downtown government institutions. It is not for everyone, but many of the ones who did it followed up fact checks on the internet and with family.

I do one assignment at the beginning of the year in which students inventory 20 items in their homes. They must find product origin, explain product materials, and categorize by continents. In the last five years or so, I always hear, "Why do so many things come from China?" Also, certain ethnic groups have an affinity to certain Asian name brands... Americans still might not equate Seiko with clocks and watches, but they sure know Sony for everything in media and those darn games..... Is material status equated with key Asian products, and would students raise similar questions on their own?? Don't we need to 'criticize' our own products and lifestyles in order to get rid of the ugly American stereotype??

In closing, should we be upfront with our students with our own sometimes-ugly history... Japanese interment; bombings in Dresden, My Lai, Hiroshima; slavery and voting rights; or the more recent developing separation of economic classes with the implications of the shrinking middle class??? If war is still the biggest business in America, then how should we define our own future??? A nation of notable, but fleeting events, or a nation of sustainable traditions, rituals, and beliefs... 'Here kids, the load is now on your shoulders....'

I am watching a Woody Allen movie while I finish these last few posts for the night—Alice. I just wrote about Orientalism and lo and behold here is the archetype, the wise Chinese-ish man, who imparts wisdom in broken English behind a hidden door in Chinatown while Chinese style motifs fly behind him in the soundtrack. His r’s and l’s are mispronounced, his garb is that of a kung fu student, and his beard and moustache are as white as the scrolls off of which he quotes and imparts Confucian wisdom. And he tells Alice, Mia Farrow, to burn tea to see her dead love, after offerings of herbal and hypnosis treatment to cure her ailments.

To this day, we see this scene far too often in movies and in television. From South Park to Entourage. I am blown away at what I see when I watch old 60’s and 70’s television. What they got away with is embarrassing.

At least Asian’s are on television now and are finally doing what all great actors of color and not of color (George Lopez, Dave Chappell, Cedric the Entertainer, Larry the Cable Guy…) are doing—proudly making fun of their own cultures—watch MAD television to see the most Asians on one channel.

Richard,
While I like your post, and agree with most of what you said. I am deeply offended that you said Larry the Cable Guy was a "great actor". While I like comedians that make fun of their own culture (see Carlos Mencia though his culture is not the only one)... I can't stand that guy. Plus, anyone can act like that.

I liked what you said about all the good things that people do. Yes, I think those things should far outweigh the not-so-good. When I travel I often see that version of the "ugly American" and hope, in my heart of hearts, that people do not see me as that person. It takes one on one human contact to break those stereotypes. Well said nmacnish.

I believe self-critism is critical. As people, as a nation, we need to understand that our world is constantly changing, and with those changes we need to adapt to them.
If do not take the time for self-critism, we will miss out on what is really happening in the real word. It is healthy to always take a step back and make an assessment of ourselves.
Living in a capitalist society, we are always wanting and reaching for the best that is out there, but we neglect what is most important is taking care of the self; and making the best of that self.
If we hold on to restricted beliefs, without ever taking the chance of what is out there, we miss out so much on life.

I absolutely agree that self-criticism is essential and healthy. If we can't look at ourselves with a critical eye and assess our faults, as well as strengths, how will we ever improve? Confidence is one thing, but arrogance is a deeper issue.

I think many educators find it hard to instill healthy skepticism while not turning students off completely from the institutions that we rely on. I definitely find this hard as a government teacher using a book that presents a rose colored picture of American foreign policy. Some very useful sources I found that present factual accounts of American involvement in Asia (particularly Vietnam) are the documentaries "Fog of War" and "The Secret Government: A Constitution in Crisis": here is a link to the latter

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3505348655137118430

Self-criticism is essential to a democracy and is a necessary component to the political process. We have to look at what we do in the world and how we interact with Asia in particular. The United States had been involved in a lot of wars over there and many our students have no clue. They have no idea that we participated in events that they read about in their textbooks of watch a documentary on the History Chanel. We have to teach these wars and other influential events honestly even if they make America look bad or make our students reflect on the nature of their country. Growing up and visiting the Caribbean on vacations I was always treated like a ""Gringo" and asked questions about US actions that I had no clue about. Here in the states I was treated like a foreigner as well. My experience is not unique. Many children of immigrants face the same treatment here and abroad. It is our job to give them the tools to assess their situations and make intelligent commentary about things that they have no control over. We Americans need to become a more informed populace and the process of educating ourselves begins with introspection.

It’s not that the United States has been demonized; I believe that there has always been a great disconnect between the American Ideals of liberty and freedom and the actions of the American government. The American people are known for their knowledge and goodwill; however the US government has supported many dictators in the past.

Take the Monroe Doctrine for example; from our point of view we were protecting our neighbors, from the Latin American perspective it was imperialism at its best. Here are a few examples from Latin American writers:

Cuba, Jose Marti:

I know the monster I have lived in its lair (Speaking about the US)

Nicaragua: Ruben Dario:

To Roosevelt
Roosevelt, one would have to be, through God himself,
the-fearful Rifleman and strong Hunter,
to manage to grab us in your iron claws.

And, although you count on everything, you lack one thing: God!

Dario was writing about Theodore Roosevelt

Every nation has it's own spin; their histories, legends and myths, I believe as educators it is not un-patriotic to question our past and allow our student to see our history through different perspectives, only then can we always keep tyranny in check.