I believe the biggest cultural images that Americans are struggling with today is that of being a meddlesome and invasive culture that is using its global power to force its will on smaller, sovereign nations that don't "behave" like we want them to. For example, the conflict in Libya. Many people feel that the U.S. getting involved in the civil war there was wrong and irresponsible because we don't have a right to say who controls that nation. America and other NATO members took alot of heat from the governments of other nations in the Middle East. When Americans watch the news, they can see people opposing America for getting involved in conflicts that, as they believe, we have no business being in. Americans also had to deal with the international heat after entering a sovereign nation, Pakistan, to kill Osama Bin Laden, whom we had been hunting for a decade. Most, if not all, Americans were completely elated when they learned the news of Bin Laden's death, so it took a few days to come to terms with what the rest of the world thought of the strike. Many Pakistanis and muslims in general thought America was in the wrong and even considered the strike as an assassination. I can't speak for other Americans, but I was hurt by this interpretation, but that was just a cultural image that I had to deal with.
I’m glad you chose this prompt. That image is not something that even crossed my mind. I think for America, Bin Laden’s death was a victory since that had been a mission for the last decade. In other cases I agree that the United States is wrong for getting involved in certain issues. I am not as well read up on such events, but if a nation’s issue does not directly affect our nation as a whole, then we have no right to push our beliefs on how the said issue should be handled. I understand that in some cases we have agreements and treaties with some places and our ability to thrive may be dependent on those countries, but to me that is a very selfish way to live. I think a big part of the actions we take should be looked at from a global stand. Will what we are about to do only benefit ourselves or will it be beneficial to all who are involved? As far as dealing with cultural images, while it is difficult, it is very important to break away from what is expected of us and be independent in our thinking and actions.
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