Obama's bow shows cultural tolerance not subserviance
By: Marie Leonard
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Opinion
President Obama has spent the last week abroad in parts of Asia, attempting to find some common ground with China over issues including climate change and the world economy. However, the event the media has chosen to cover the most from his trip has been the bow he gave to Japan's Emperor Akihito. Many conservatives and critics have accused Obama of "groveling before a foreign leader." On Monday when one of the other Pine Log editors was reading about this in the office, I couldn't believe it. Since when is bowing to another world leader viewed as groveling?
According to an article on MSNBC.com, Obama has not been the only president to receive criticism for greeting another leader in a traditional way. According to the article, former President George W. Bush was criticized in 2005 for holding the hand of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, which is viewed as a sign of friendship in the Middle East. Also, in 1994 former President Bill Clinton was criticized for almost bowing to Akihito.
Although the world is made up of a seemingly limitless number of unique cultures, many Americans do not seem to register this fact. Even though the United States is the current hegemon, that does not mean what works in the United States is great for every other country in the world, and that our leader should automatically assume an air of greatness. When one goes to a foreign country, it is polite to follow the general customs of said country. President Obama was showing respect, and most importantly humility, toward the Japanese emperor, a characteristic which most Americans apparently are lacking. In a time period where critics of the current administration rejoice after not receiving an Olympic bid for the 2016 games and criticize the president for receiving a Nobel Peace Prize, it seems some Americans have twisted ideas about what is good for America. The egocentrism many Americans feel toward their country has come off in a bad way lately, in my opinion. Many Americans have so much pride in their country that they believe America is the best country in the world and every other country should be just like us. America has only been a country for a few centuries now, and although it is one of the world's most powerful nations, there are many other cultures and nations that have rich histories and traditions. Although democracy is the government of choice in Western nations today, historically it has not been the choice for many Eastern nations. Every human should have certain basic human rights, and although not every nation believes in these inherent rights, that may be based on cultural and historical backgrounds. It is important to campaign for these basic rights, including the right to freedom of speech and press, but the United States should not be so hard to criticize different forms of government that are not our own.
According to an article on MSNBC.com, Obama has not been the only president to receive criticism for greeting another leader in a traditional way. According to the article, former President George W. Bush was criticized in 2005 for holding the hand of Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, which is viewed as a sign of friendship in the Middle East. Also, in 1994 former President Bill Clinton was criticized for almost bowing to Akihito.
Although the world is made up of a seemingly limitless number of unique cultures, many Americans do not seem to register this fact. Even though the United States is the current hegemon, that does not mean what works in the United States is great for every other country in the world, and that our leader should automatically assume an air of greatness. When one goes to a foreign country, it is polite to follow the general customs of said country. President Obama was showing respect, and most importantly humility, toward the Japanese emperor, a characteristic which most Americans apparently are lacking. In a time period where critics of the current administration rejoice after not receiving an Olympic bid for the 2016 games and criticize the president for receiving a Nobel Peace Prize, it seems some Americans have twisted ideas about what is good for America. The egocentrism many Americans feel toward their country has come off in a bad way lately, in my opinion. Many Americans have so much pride in their country that they believe America is the best country in the world and every other country should be just like us. America has only been a country for a few centuries now, and although it is one of the world's most powerful nations, there are many other cultures and nations that have rich histories and traditions. Although democracy is the government of choice in Western nations today, historically it has not been the choice for many Eastern nations. Every human should have certain basic human rights, and although not every nation believes in these inherent rights, that may be based on cultural and historical backgrounds. It is important to campaign for these basic rights, including the right to freedom of speech and press, but the United States should not be so hard to criticize different forms of government that are not our own.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Nate
posted 11/19/09 @ 9:17 AM CST
Ok I might as well add my two cents into this. I see nothing wrong with Obama bowing in this case. It is the cultural "hello" in this case. The only problem is the manor in which he did bow. (Continued…)
Sohei Fox
posted 11/19/09 @ 10:17 AM CST
You do not even have a cursory understanding of how Japanese culture works. If you bow lower then someone, you are showing that you acknowledge them as higher then you. (Continued…)
ronmossad
posted 11/22/09 @ 4:25 PM CST
Can tolerance breeds intolerance? How can this be?
http://ronmossad.blogspot.com/2009/11/tolerance-breeds-intolerance.html
Historically, the indecent minority has only been able to succeed due to the indifference of the decent majority. (Continued…)
Denice McCormick Myers
posted 11/22/09 @ 5:02 PM CST
Ms. Leonard, I agree with your comments that many U.S. citizens need to be cognizant that other cultures may have ways of showing friendship and respect that may seem strange to us on the surface. (Continued…)
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