Germany, Iran, and The United States

I have to start this "story" with the statement that my National Geographic Magazine came and Iran was on the cover. I LOVE my NG I have loved it since I was a kid I remember I always had a chance to read it even as young as 5. I Loved the big glossy pages the exotic people and places I wanted to go to every place I read about and learn more. I still to this day get excited to rip open the package and read that magazine from cover to cover. Sam has been to the headquarters twice and behind the scenes.  Sam also did a workshop... I have worked on a project and been to a lecture and I tell you I could do more would love to......

Now moving on... I couldn't wait to read the article about Iran it was about the Persian aspect of Iran's history. I have to say as we all no at times NG can be a bit liberal and get a bit political...such as the media. Of course this article delved into the U.S. and Iran's tension as well as a few other current topics but the bulk was about the Persian influence on Iran. I waxed and waned during the article sometimes I was angry at the writer for making the political issues her sounding board and at times I was angry and what Iranian's said......

I did have to smile several times in the article Iranians ordinary people stated they wanted us the US to know they weren't terrorist waiting to destroy us and that they are uncomfortable with the "Arabic" identity they have had thrust upon them. They wanted to be know for their rich cultural heritage through ancient times and that they were a people still of that culture and that is where they saw the future.

In reading this I remembered another article I had read about a travel writer who went to Lebanon to write about the country and he too encountered many wonderful people who wanted the US to know they weren't terrorist and that they too had great pride in their culture and rich past.

Stay with me here... My friend Jenny had been to a workshop with international business people. As an ice breaker the attendees talked about their countries and things about themselves etc. Jenny told me that a German man said to everyone..." I am German everyone hates us ...." 

How very interesting..U.S. citizen's are feeling like the whole world hates us? We are all drawn together by the perception that everyone in the world has the wrong opinion of us. They probably do to some extent.

The problem of the ages misunderstood cultures trying to learn more about each other and understand each other better. Something gets lost in cultural differences and translation.

I know in anthropology we have fancy terms for trying to understand and observe others with out letting our own cultural views interfere.

Germans Iranians, and Americans all feeling the same thing. Many countries are caught up in so much political strife ordinary people just want to live their lives.

I would also like to note that in my area (other blogs) the blog My Marrakesh... Maryam has several very good blogs listed on her site about Iran and human rights etc.

I always like to look for ways we are more alike than different and despite being angry about some of the statements or parts of the article or their leaders behavior I would like to think we are alike in the pride we feel for our countries history and culture...we all share that no matter where we live in the world.