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December 13, 2006
U.S. supremacy--or nations united?
This is from the BBC: "Annan chides US in final speech": "No nation can make itself secure by seeking supremacy over others," Mr Annan said, urging the US to respect human rights in its "war on terror."
Posted by Karen Christensen at 5:04 PM | Comments (0)
December 11, 2006
Book recommendations
EJ, a regular contributor who is, I know, frustrated by our slowness in revamping the site, was kind enough to send a recommendation:
Karen, you should check the book "WHAT'S UP AMERICA? A Foreigner's Guide to Understanding Americans" by DIANE ASITIMBAY (Culture Link Press). Evelyne
This book is written for students and it's really fascinating. Here are some of the questions it answers:
Why do most Americans leave home at 18?
Why are many Americans on diets but still overweight?
How do we judge if an American is just being friendly or truly being a friend?
Another I just came across, an anthropology textbook, is also worth a look: Distant Mirrors: America as a Foreign Culture (Paperback) by Philip R. DeVita, James D. Armstrong. Once we have a database set up, we can link to many interesting books, and perhaps even have discussion questions for classes or reading groups and bookclubs.
Posted by Karen Christensen at 6:48 PM | Comments (0)
An embarrassed reader
This comment, from a teenager in Texas, makes me feel that this project is very much worthwhile:
I am an American, and having just found this website I have to say I'm deeply embarrassed by many of the American comments on here, saying things like all other countries must be jealous and we are the greatest nation in the world. I haven't traveled extensively - just to Canada and Western Europe - but I must say that in those experiences I realized how truly charmed my life is, for better or for worse. I hope I am not a "typical American", and the one major note I hope anyone who reads this remembers is that not all Americans are fat, lazy, arrogant and stupid. Many of us actually pay attention to what's happening in the world around us and strongly disagree with the government (even me, and I'm from Texas.) What is frustrating about this site is that I feel somewhat falsely persecuted by many of the comments about Americans, although in the general sense they are logical and probably accurate. I would just like to say , as an American teenager, that I have a deep respect and curiosity about the world, and although I think America has good qualities, I do NOT think it is perfect or even the best nation. With so many issues at hand I don't know how someone can label a country "the best." Thanks for your consideration. -- Eva
I apologize to the readers/contributors who are waiting for an upgrade to the site. We are working out how to add a real forum (that won't allow hackers to get to us, as they did before), and a place where you can suggest books and other websites. I think I've found a company that can help us with a system that we may also be able to use to offer teaching resources from our about-to-be-published encyclopedia, two big volumes called Global Perspectives on the United States. Thanks for your patience, and please don't hesitate to send along ideas.
Posted by Karen Christensen at 4:19 PM | Comments (0)