My perspective on perspectives

I have been watching a fascinating documentary called "The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975."  It is a collection of previously unreleased footage filmed by a Swedish documentary crew decades ago, and it is partially narrated by modern-day African American philosophers and artists.  The film contains excerpts from Swedish television programs that were covering American social movements at the time, and the difference in perspectives is very interesting.

Here is a version of the story that was being told abroad:

A powerful foreign nation is spending billions of dollars to make war in the name of bringing prosperity and freedom to the oppressed.  But within its own boundaries, a large portion of the population is being denied equal opportunities to succeed because its members are part of "inferior" ethnic groups.


Some political organizers have set up free meal programs for the poor, who are chronically overlooked by the militant capitalist government.  These leaders are also educating and arming their allies so that they can defend themselves against police brutality, hoping to prevent further violation of minorities' basic human rights.  These individuals are being labeled as radicals and imprisoned, and political trials are commonplace.  Even nonviolent activists and mainstream politicians who support the movement for equality are being assassinated for their views.


And here is one of the stories that was being told in the United States:

Foreigners with little understanding of our nation's history and socio-political climate are coming here to pass judgement on our system, which is flawed but is improving.  They are painting dangerous political revolutionaries as harmless speech-makers, playing down their violent intentions.  Violent action taken by fringe groups would do harm to Americans of all races and classes.


See the problem here?  Both sides make valid points;  the oppression of minority groups is wrong and needs to be exposed... but can foreign reporters ever really fairly analyze a complex situation in a nation with vastly different demographics and cultural practices?  In an increasingly globalized world, we are faced with this question more and more each day, and it isn't getting easier.

So what do we do?  How do we respect the sovereignty of foreign nations without "selling out" when it comes to our most cherished values?  How can journalists put together unbiased reports on sensitive and controversial topics?  To what extent does cultural relativism apply to international law?  I do not know the answer to these questions.  If I did, I would a politician instead of a blogger.

But I think I know where we could start: by resisting the urge to simplify complex situations.  If we want to approach an unbiased understanding of what is happening in our world, we must expose ourselves to as many different viewpoints and perspectives as we can.

I am reminded of one of my favorite TED talks.  The speaker is Chimamanda Adichie, who works to expose the danger of "the single story."

Chimamanda grew up in Africa, but came to North America for her university studies.  Her roommate was shocked that Chimamanda knew how to do things like use the kitchen stove, because her "single story" of Africa was that of the destitute refugee. Little did she know that Chimamanda came from an affluent, "wired," and diverse community.  The roommate's perception wasn't necessarily wrong (there are certainly millions of people whose experience would fit what she had seen on the news about the "Third World") but it was incomplete.  She, like every one of us, was limited in her understanding by her lack of exposure to others' life stories.

I don't want to give away the whole talk, because it is much more powerful in the author's own words than in a retelling.  You can (and should) check it out here: http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html


Let me know what you think about cultural relativism, international relations, or my stupid opinions.  I'd love to hear from you!