I'll never forget an incident that happened to me when I was in Spanish language school in Guadalajara, Mexico back in the early '90's. For an assignment to prepare an oral report, I selected an article from Reader's Digest that was a celebration of American values. Being a patriotic American, I was inspired by the American "can do" spirit and opportunities described in that particular article. It never occurred to me that fellow class members from Germany, France and Canada might see the world through a different lens.
Employing my best oratory skills, I built the speech to an emotional climax extolling the greatness of America. At the conclusion of my speech, one of the students angrily criticized what I'd had to say and in very hostile tones let me and the class know that she and the other non-American classmates resented the arrogant boastfulness of Americans like me. What I assumed everyone felt about America came across to them as a pushy insensitivity toward the rest of the world.
As I watched the Republican National Convention the other day I remembered that exchange back in language school. Maybe you saw it during one of the speeches. A young delegate wearing a red, white and blue Uncle Sam hat was chanting passionately, "USA! USA! USA!" His face was twisted in an expression of scorn and aggression against anything or anyone who didn't share his idolization of America. More than once I heard statements that conveyed the message loud and clear to the rest of the world that we think we're the biggest, baddest, wealthiest, most powerful and most special nation in the world. To people from other countries, like my classmate in language school, it sends the message that Americans believe the rest of the world is inferior to and answers to us.
Put yourself in their shoes. Many people in other countries have been paying over $4.00 a gallon for gasoline since the late '70's, when we were paying less than a dollar. Like the spoiled people we are, we are outraged that our fuel prices have only recently gotten so high. How would you feel if you lived in a country where you've been paying $5 or $6 a gallon for years to learn that the USA, which consumes 25% of the world's oil and gasoline while having only 5% of the world's population, is having a hissy fit over $4 a gallon gas?
We are bitter that manufacturers and major corporations are closing factories here and opening them in China, India and Latin America because their labor is cheaper. Meanwhile, folks in those countries are elated that companies with better jobs with better pay than they ever could have hoped for have come to their shores. Shouldn't there be something in our attitude that indicates we feel good about a better standard of living being enjoyed by others rather than the resentment some express because impoverished, developing nations have taken something from us?
And, while our politicians carry on about the superiority of our military and the importance of "winning", to much of the rest of the world we come across as a menacing, muscle-flexing super power that once again stands ready to invade and bomb other countries at will. It was comments about our military power and readiness to use it that evoked the response of the delegate in the Uncle Sam hat that I mentioned earlier.
Jesus said greatness is found in serving others rather than dominating them. "Relationships of domination are forbidden in the kingdom of God," wrote Jerry Cook, and I agree. In fact, Jesus said that at the end of the day the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Dominators lose. I'm looking for leaders who will take the harsh and threatening rhetoric out of our communication with the rest of the world and show some humility.
