Monday, December 12, 2011

On the Inside Looking In

I write to you having finished all my papers. I had no finals and I have no research projects, grants, or extended work rolling over into the break and I feel so free! I even started a book this afternoon (after a nap, of course). It's the season of reading all the things I want and nothing I don't and I'm very pleased. My best wishes to all those still working on their papers and finals.

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The title of this blog indicates a certain presumptuous way of thinking. Anyone who knows me, knows I am open-minded and have deep affection and appreciation for other cultures and ways of life. But I tend to think about things from an American perspective and I often look at things, asking how they will affect the Americas, mainly the U.S. I guess you could say I'm exceptionalist, though not expansionist in my political sentiments. I do believe the U.S. is part of a divine plan (and not in an evangelical way either) in the sense that I believe in God and I think He has put us on earth and in this land with purpose.

I often find it necessary to question my worldview and way of thinking and part of that involves interrogating the culture to which I belong and subscribe. In other words, I try to take the outsiders perspective and look inward. Last week, as I was finishing up with classes, Gustavo brought in two Chinese professors who are visiting and staying at UMF. Their thoughts on American politics and foreign policy was refreshingly enlightening. They critiqued the current Republican-nomination race, characterizing it as showy and hinting at its circus-like feel; admitted that the President is of less concern than the Secretary of State (Henry Kissinger is still held in high regard there); and said that the Chinese government is not an oppositional force that the U.S. should see as a rivalry, but a partner seeking cooperation from the U.S. I personally favor cooperation, but opinions matter less than the meaning of this story. We need to reflect. We need to think of ourselves in a different light. We need to look inward and discover a truer sense of national identity before proceeding outward.

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