Posted on 01/22/2003 1:53:04 PM PST by cody32127
Public opinion surveys around the world consistently show that many people overseas find Americans overbearing, aggressive and domineering. Often this is ascribed to American foreign policy that is said to have offended so many. As it turns out, the problem may not be in Washington at all. Instead, think Hollywood.
Hollywood, if nothing else, is prolific, churning out films and television programs that often appear on screens large and small around the world. These shows frequently present the only perspective that international viewers get of what Americans are like.
A new study demonstrates that, thanks to Tony Soprano, "Sex and the City" and young pop divas, Hollywood has given us our unflattering image.
As reported in "The Next Generation's Image of Americans," Boston University communication professors Melvin and Margaret DeFleur surveyed 1,259 teenagers from 12 countries about their attitudes toward Americans. What they found is astounding.
Few of those surveyed had any direct contact with Americans; only 12% had visited the U.S. But they did have access to American television programs, movies and pop music, and based on that exposure, most of these teens considered Americans to be violent, prone to criminal activity and sexually immoral.
The study found that the more access countries had to American programs, the higher their negative attitudes toward Americans tended to be.
Our popular culture, far from endearing people to us, is actually severely hurting our standing.
For example, a much higher percentage of Mexican and South Korean teenagers agreed with the statement "Americans are very materialistic" than did teens from Nigeria, China and Pakistan.
When the statement was made that "many American women are sexually immoral," teens in Taiwan, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and South Korea agreed much more frequently than teens in China and Pakistan.
"These results suggest that pop culture, rather than foreign policy, is the true culprit of anti-Americanism," Melvin DeFleur says.
Why should we worry about what foreign teenagers think about us? Aside from the fact that these young people will soon be adults and influence politics in their countries, the DeFleurs point out that teens "are the ones who are trained and equipped to conduct terrorist acts."
Yet we shouldn't expect much self- reflection or change from Hollywood. The major studios and record companies make big money selling their products to the world. And, of course, they exercise their 1st Amendment right to produce what they want. But to paraphrase the old saying, entertainment has consequences. Hollywood should at least be asked by our public leaders to accept responsibility for the damage it is doing.
What the Bush administration can do is reexamine American public diplomacy efforts overseas. The recent launching of Radio Sawa, which will bring Britney Spears to the Middle East, is not likely to enhance our reputation in the region -- quite the contrary.
Instead of a quick fix, we need to rethink our public diplomacy campaign entirely. We need public diplomacy programs that put the world in touch with real Americans, not celluloid Americans. Only then will our largely undeserved image in the world change.
Newt Gingrich is a former speaker of the House and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Peter Schweizer, is the author of "Reagan's War" (Doubleday, 2002).
|
|
|
 |
Donate Here By Secure Server
FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
|
|
It is in the breaking news sidebar! Thanks Registered |
|
Newt didn't want to put in the statement about MEN being sexually immoral...that would hit too close to home.
Anyone could read the many Muslim chat rooms before 9-11. Our American culture - music, TV, movies and public schools corrupt their young. The press refused to criticize the DNC's most influential industry. Hey, those 50s parents were right about some things.
Because people who create things like, "The Ministry of Vice" or whatever it's called, their opinion should really matter to us. People that stone women to death who are raped...yep, let's really take what they think into account!
Then during the semester at every opportunity I will proceed to trash the so-called commentator actors like clueless Clooney, Jessica Lamebrain Lang, etc.
Thanks Newt!!!
Quite. And I believe he's right here, too. But as Ophelia told her brother Laertes in Hamlet....
I shall the effect of this good lesson keep,
As watchman to my heart. But, good my brother,
Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven;
Whiles, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,
And recks not his own rede.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.