Help America’s Image Abroad
By Brother Rogers
One of the most surprising revelations in the aftermath of September 11 is that citizens in other countries see America differently than we see ourselves. We think of America as a good country that wants to help the world by promoting freedom, democracy and opportunity for all.
Much of the rest of the world sees America as an arrogant bully who flaunts our status as the only superpower. They delight in any event that humbles our country. A college football analogy helps explain their reasoning. When Alabama, Notre Dame, Nebraska or other traditional powerhouses have problems, other teams are glad. For example, when Alabama went on probation, if you thought, “Good, they deserve it!” then you have a glimpse into the negative feelings other countries have toward the U.S.
Although negative attitudes toward the United States are unusually intense in the Arab and Muslim nations of the Middle East, similar attitudes prevail in other regions of the world, including Latin America, Asia and even Western Europe. The Council on Foreign Relations issued a report last month that shows America’s image problem is global—not just isolated to the Middle East.
How we are perceived abroad matters because we need the support of other nations for actions that advance American interests, such as toppling the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Otherwise, our efforts to promote international peace and stability could have the opposite, unintended effect.
If we are perceived as a bully, our adversaries will gain support by playing the role of innocent underdog. On the other hand, if we are seen as a force for good, then others will rally with us.
Recognizing the value of public diplomacy, the Bush administration has created a new office to coordinate our country’s foreign policy message and supervise America’s image abroad. But what can we do to influence the attitudes of foreign audiences toward our country?
We have a unique opportunity to influence foreign attitudes because we live in a college town. Mississippi State University has over 850 international students and scholars from 73 countries. Many of them have families here too. Most are preparing themselves for leadership in their home countries, where they will be influential opinion leaders. In short, these international students are America’s bridge to the world.
Their attitude about Americans will be shaped by their experience in Starkville. We should do all that we can to make them feel welcome. We should go out of our way to make friends with them. We should speak to them in the grocery store or at Wal-Mart. Just as we would for visitors in our home, we should treat them with kindness and respect as guests in our country.
We will benefit personally as we build relationships with exciting new friends from different cultures. In addition, we will be doing our part to counter the negative image of America abroad and protect our way of life.
America is the greatest country in the history of the world. And just think – we can spread that message by extending our natural Southern hospitality to international students at Mississippi State University. Wouldn’t mama be proud to know that those good manners she taught us can promote world peace!
Brother Rogers is a guest columnist for the Starkville Daily News and works for the Stennis Center for Public Service.
One of the most surprising revelations in the aftermath of September 11 is that citizens in other countries see America differently than we see ourselves. We think of America as a good country that wants to help the world by promoting freedom, democracy and opportunity for all.
Much of the rest of the world sees America as an arrogant bully who flaunts our status as the only superpower. They delight in any event that humbles our country. A college football analogy helps explain their reasoning. When Alabama, Notre Dame, Nebraska or other traditional powerhouses have problems, other teams are glad. For example, when Alabama went on probation, if you thought, “Good, they deserve it!” then you have a glimpse into the negative feelings other countries have toward the U.S.
Although negative attitudes toward the United States are unusually intense in the Arab and Muslim nations of the Middle East, similar attitudes prevail in other regions of the world, including Latin America, Asia and even Western Europe. The Council on Foreign Relations issued a report last month that shows America’s image problem is global—not just isolated to the Middle East.
How we are perceived abroad matters because we need the support of other nations for actions that advance American interests, such as toppling the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Otherwise, our efforts to promote international peace and stability could have the opposite, unintended effect.
If we are perceived as a bully, our adversaries will gain support by playing the role of innocent underdog. On the other hand, if we are seen as a force for good, then others will rally with us.
Recognizing the value of public diplomacy, the Bush administration has created a new office to coordinate our country’s foreign policy message and supervise America’s image abroad. But what can we do to influence the attitudes of foreign audiences toward our country?
We have a unique opportunity to influence foreign attitudes because we live in a college town. Mississippi State University has over 850 international students and scholars from 73 countries. Many of them have families here too. Most are preparing themselves for leadership in their home countries, where they will be influential opinion leaders. In short, these international students are America’s bridge to the world.
Their attitude about Americans will be shaped by their experience in Starkville. We should do all that we can to make them feel welcome. We should go out of our way to make friends with them. We should speak to them in the grocery store or at Wal-Mart. Just as we would for visitors in our home, we should treat them with kindness and respect as guests in our country.
We will benefit personally as we build relationships with exciting new friends from different cultures. In addition, we will be doing our part to counter the negative image of America abroad and protect our way of life.
America is the greatest country in the history of the world. And just think – we can spread that message by extending our natural Southern hospitality to international students at Mississippi State University. Wouldn’t mama be proud to know that those good manners she taught us can promote world peace!
Brother Rogers is a guest columnist for the Starkville Daily News and works for the Stennis Center for Public Service.