Why is it that we don’t seem to talk about what happens in Kenya? Or Syria or Nigeria for that matter? Between Kenya’s ethically questionable election results, Syria’s never-ending civil war and an extreme Islamist group in Nigeria killing foreign hostages, so much is unfolding across the world that could have devastating effects on countless lives. So why aren’t we hearing about this? Why aren’t we talking about this? In an age of unprecedented interconnectedness, what excuse do we have for ignorance?
This is not intended to be a rant against Berkeley students, our generation or Americans in general. In fact, it is natural to prioritize issues that affect us most directly and therefore dedicate the majority of our time to self-serving tasks. But most of us spend at least some portion of our day seeking out or receiving information about the world, whether it is listening to a lecture in class, watching TV or scrolling through headlines on the Internet. And when we look at the parts of our lives that we spend absorbing information and learning, we can do more to look beyond what affects us most directly and gain a more global perspective.
The process of “domesticating” our interests seems to start early in our formal education. Since we were children we have learned that America is the greatest country in the world. This is not unusual, and certainly children around the world grow up learning the same thing about their respective countries. Patriotism is wonderful, and we should praise the values that our nation was founded upon, but certainly there are other nations and other cultures that have made significant contributions and innovations that are worth learning about and praising, as well.
The news media reinforces this emphasis on domestic issues by mainly covering current events in the United States and underreporting events in other countries. Why is this a problem? We unwittingly have a relationship with people around the world in which the actions we take can affect how they live and vice versa. I believe that the news media has a responsibility to accurately depict the world because for many it is the main source of political information on which they will then base their political decisions. In a democracy, these decisions determine how our country will be governed, including our foreign policy.
The United States does not function as an isolated actor in the international scene and therefore voters, who affect foreign policy by electing leaders, should be welliinformed on the pertinent issues facing people on the other side of the world.
However, the United States is certainly not the only country whose population affects those of other nations. Perhaps in the past, people could get away with thinking that the Greek economy or the grievances of a small group of angry, potentially militant, individuals in another country would not affect Americans in any significant way. With growing integration into the international economy and increased access to technology and information sharing, this is obviously no longer the case. I am not suggesting that the key to solving the European debt crisis or to fighting terrorism is a more informed American population, but more than ever it is important to be informed of these increasingly relevant issues.
My point is simple: We need to change the way we think. We don’t even need to transform dramatically, simply in a way that makes room for a global perspective. We should think of ourselves as citizens of the world and think of the problems facing us as members of the human race. Let’s talk about Greece; let’s ask about Syria. Let’s learn about the struggle and the successes of people we didn’t know had anything in common with us. Let’s get informed. Because being equipped with facts, stories and perspectives is the first step toward making meaningful change.
Alix Martichoux is a junior at UC Berkeley.
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