ROCHESTER, Minnesota — There is a perception in South Africa, and many other countries, I would think, that most Americans are to a large extent the same – in their mannerisms, ideologies, way of life, physical character, "arrogance" and politics.
That, in a way, they are interconnected but at the same time insular and prying; finely in tune with and loyally supportive of the country's power structures and, depending on the party they support, their president.
This could partly explain the glee painfully evident among some South Africans — a minority — when the United States suffered its most devastating hours last September. "They had it coming" and "The Americans are paying for their arrogance" were just some of the comments made in living rooms, pubs, taverns and newsrooms around the world as the World Trade Center came crumbling down. These are deep-rooted feelings stemming from hatred of most things American.
Which is why I am certain that if such people had to experience U.S. life for themselves, as I have since my fellowship with the World Press Institute began July 3, they might leave with a more enlightened viewpoint. Far from being disinterested in the lives of others, particularly foreigners, I was touched by the sincere attempts by ordinary Americans whom I have encountered to learn about the problems of Africa in general.
More surprising was my discovery of a significant number of people, Republicans included, who no longer support President Bush, his style of leadership and his foreign policy, especially as it relates to the Middle East.
To see newspaper editorials critical of Bush's plan to remove Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was a bit of a shock, as were the many news columns that railed against Israeli bias.
The arrogance is still evident, not with the people but the political leadership, with the unilateral, go-it-alone style making the U.S. more enemies than allies. But the ordinary folk I have encountered are far from that. They are people who have opened their hearts, minds and homes to a perfect stranger.
They include journalists, farmers and retired professionals. People who had taken the time to read up on the history of South Africa just so wecan have a more meaningful conversation. People who will pick their brains figuring a way South Africa can be helped in a more effective manner by the U.S. These are powerful yet humble people whom I can never forget, for they have touched my life as even my fellow South Africans have not.
After living in Minnesota for a month, I am also struck by how seemingly care-free life is here. Despite the terror attacks, how safe you feel and how leisurely you stroll. How unguarded your homes are. Back home, it is a different situation. Most South Africans find themselves virtual prisoners in their own homes. We have moved past the stage of just having high fences and killer dogs; there is now razor wire atop many a fence, electronic surveillance and armed response by private security companies that have mushroomed over the past few years.
Crime is at an all-time high, with homicides happening daily. Mothers, fathers, grandparents and children, black, white and all shades in between, the wealthy and the poverty-stricken — all are being murdered for whatever they might have.
America is the land of the free, in more ways than one. It is also the land of choice. Too much! Almost wherever I go — particularly grocery stores — there seems to be an endless variety of what is essentially the same basic product. I must have cast a suspicious figurewalking up and down the cereal aisle for about 15 minutes, scratching my head in bewilderment.
The topic of food brings me to another fact that I had seen as a statistic back home: One in three Americans is obese. Nah! I thought. Impossible! Well, my visit here seems to have confirmed that one. I was truly amazed to see so many obese people. Americans seem to have a healthy appetite for not-so-healthy foods. Lots of burgers, fries and pop and other take-out food.
And the smaller the size of the American, the bigger the car is. There seems to be an obsession with big, bulky sport utility vehicles (mini-trucks, I say). They can serve no other use on the well-maintained city motorways other than to inflate one's ego.
With our travels taking us to the bigger cities of Chicago, Boston, New York, Washington and others, I wonder whether more American stereotypes will be broken or reinforced?
Krisendra Bisetty was in Rochester, Minnesota, August 2-7, 2002, as part of a fellowship provided by the World Press Institute, based at Macalester College in St. Paul.
Notebook
By Krisendra Bisetty, WPI ’02