How others see us…

The Global Perspective



Probably the best thing to happen to democracy’s reputation is the American Primary.

What most Americans don’t realize is that the International media—including the Arab press—is following news of the Election process assiduously and the readers love what they are reading or seeing…

Why?

Because it paints a very different picture of America than the one they are used to.

It is not about aggression or trying to force feed the rest of the world a diet of American democracy.

No, it’s about what really goes on during the longest and most grueling election process in the world.

Most had little or no familiarity with American politics, and this baptism of fire for many is an education in itself about how the process works and what it means to Americans.

So just imagine what the world must be thinking about America, a land they’ve come to know as “bullies” and aggressors—eager to tell others how to run their lives and their governments.

Nobody wants to be talked down to treated as somehow inferior but that aspect of our nature tends to be remembered and disliked; now, for the first time, our friends and “enemies” have a chance to see what we are really like.

Imagine, a country where a woman and an African-American are running for president.

What a wonderful notion and so alien to most people from around the world where women are treated still as chattel and Africans are still viewed as slaves or the forgotten masses.

In their minds, they must see America through this new filter and wonder whether their previous perceptions were perhaps too hasty. To know these things, after all, has to be transforming. And that is good!.....

Many countries are led by dictatorships so to have endure a process as long and as convoluted as the American process is surely a wonderful thing to people looking in and an amazing glimpse into our way of life for more than half the world.

Foreign reporters and editors assigned to cover the process, have literally changed the dynamic of an America sticking its two-cents in here, there and everywhere. Most tend to think of America’s involvement in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq and fanning the flames of war in Iran.

Perhaps not any more.

Now, they learn that that is not the American essence; that America’s liberties and equalities set us apart from most other nations and it is this very process, the longest election process in the world, that better defines us and our aspirations.

Most of the reporters are having a field day with this…

And if it helps the rest of the world get over the notion of America as being made up of privileged rich folks from Texas who only care about oil and money, so much the better.

Sure, we have a long way to go.

But one has to applaud the openness of the process.

And the beginning of understanding among those with whom we could strike up friendly relationships around the world.

A far greater opportunity than beating them over the head with our cowboy politics.

Les Aaron
The Committee for Positive Change

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