Proud to be an American?

This morning I went to a student-organized meeting to discuss the video posted this week on YouTube that is blamed for the attacks against American (and other) Embassies in Libya, Yemen and Sudan.  If you haven't heard about it, read more here and here.  A Muslim student organized the meeting to discuss the video and it's repercussions and to show support for all religions and promote tolerance within our small and very diverse community.

I have not seen the trailer, but I understand that it is ridiculously offensive to Muslims.  I do not plan to watch it;  I feel that every time the video is viewed, it only adds fuel to the fire.  The origins of the video are hazy--depending on your source, it was either a Jewish or Coptic Christian person--but what isn't hazy in the minds of the people in the Middle East is that the video came from America.

This was my first brush with just how strongly America is disliked by other parts of the world.  I'm sure it won't be the only one.

Listening to students from all countries and all religions talk about how upset they were by the video, and, in turn, by the killing of people during protests, was a bit reassuring.  I think that through education we can and will change the world, and hearing young people speak of peace and tolerance of differences gives me hope.

Many students were in total disbelief that the US government couldn't "do something" to the person who made the video.  Put him in jail, they said.  He is horrible and doesn't deserve to be with his family.

I never truly understood how the fundamental right to free speech, taken for granted in the US, is completely foreign to so many people.  These are smart kids, who like to learn and chose to come to school here, and they really didn't understand that "doing something" to the producer of the video, who was clearly morally wrong but had broken no laws, was simply not an option.  I was proud to be one of two Americans at the meeting who, while certainly not condoning the message of the film, explained the concept of completely free speech and how it was fundamental to who we are.

I also realized that with the right to free speech comes a tremendous amount of responsibility.  Just as I am fully aware that the actions of a few people against the US Embassies is not indicative of how everyone in those countries feels, I hope that they also realize that the free speech of one American is not representative of how everyone thinks.  And that we will not change our fundamental rights as Americans even though people do stupid things with those rights.

I realize was a bit heavy, compared to the usual posts regarding food and sightseeing.  But I'm just exercising my free speech.  And you have the right to read or ignore as you see fit!  :)