[suebee]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

I do want to say that I understand that for many of us this might be a low priority. I am just happy that we can have these discussions and hope that they will make us think a bit.

I thank everyone who is participating is this and other discussions like it.

Priority/Not priority: I don't see it as either. I see it more as an exercise in self-awareness. Since the U.S. has such a huge influence in the world, since the U.S. has such an overwhelming stake in communications, entertainment etc. it can be hard for people living in the U.S. to imagine how the country is seen from outside of it's boundaries. Honestly I'm surprised that there as many "Americans" as there have been who have come on this thread and seem to have considered this question already. I live on the U.S./Canadian border, interact with my neighbours to the south on an almost daily basis, and seldom see as much awareness of this issue as I have here.

It seems kinda like the topic of white privilege: when it's all normal for you then it's pretty damned hard to think of how it's perceived by others, affects others, affects you yourself.

Great discussion. Great thread.