The Observer, February 18, 2005
Volume XXXVII, Issue 18
Canadian journalist addresses international views of U.S.
Mixed perceptions of the United States and sentiments of anti-Americanism from the international community were the subjects of a lecture presented this week by Canadian journalist Laura Lynch.
Lynch served as the U.S. correspondent for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio from 2000 until 2003, when she moved to London to take on the job of European correspondent. She presented a lecture here Tuesday called "Axis of Understanding: Covering the United States Inside and Out."
She spent most of her prepared remarks discussing how the United States is seen by people in other parts of the world, first noting how much attention is directed to our country from abroad.
Lynch briefly discussed an article that appeared in January in the British newspaper The Independent, which focused on the growing trend of Americans who, unhappy with the political situation at home, have considered a move to Canada. "It really does start to show you that … it's not Iraq that's the most scrutinized country in the world," Lynch said. "The country that is uppermost in the minds of most people around the world is your United States of America."
During her time within the country as a correspondent in Washington, D.C., Lynch said she met Americans who were generous, welcoming, and creative, but she said she also heard "darker sentiments" of racism, intolerance, and willful ignorance.
Lynch also presented the view of the U.S. from abroad as mixed, specifically pointing out some of her experiences in the U.K. "People around the world spend so much time trying to figure you guys out, admiring you, envying you, and sometimes resenting you," she said. "There is a lot of derision in the British media, and they can be very nasty over Tony Blair's close relationship with George W. Bush. They call Blair Bush's poodle."
Anti-Americanism is also prevalent outside of Europe, Lynch said. The Pew Research Center for People and the Press released a report in January that described current anti-American sentiment as at its broadest and deepest in modern history. "Simply put, the rest of the world both fears and resents the unrivaled power that the United States has amassed since the Cold War ended," the report states. "In the eyes of others, the U.S. is a worrisome colossus: it is too quick to act unilaterally, it doesn't do a good job of addressing the world's problems, and it widens the global gulf between rich and poor."
At the same time, though, Lynch said that there is still a certain amount of respect for the United States elsewhere in the world, as many people consider America to be the "holy grail" for those seeking a better life.
"You've got to understand there is still enormous good will towards America. As [an English] vicar told me…, President Bush is welcome in his village because he represents the American people. President Bush is not welcome there, however, because of the policies he's pushing on the planet. I've heard this over and over again; people can and do make distinctions."
Near the end of her prepared remarks, Lynch discussed Bush's upcoming trip to Europe and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice's recent visit there. Lynch mentioned recent efforts by the American government towards increased cooperation with foreign administrations, and said that France, Germany, and Canada may be willing to support U.S. operations in Iraq.
"I'm saying that there's an opening here, and I'm saying that they're taking these first tentative steps towards reengaging," she said. "I think next week is going to be very interesting to watch how Bush manages his tour of Europe."
Lynch urged the audience multiple times Tuesday to become more aware of international views by reading foreign newspapers or listening to English-language radio broadcasts available over the Internet, especially as many of the larger U.S. media organizations are closing some of their foreign bureaus.
"I think it behooves Americans to gain an understanding of their role in the world and have, if you will, and axis of understanding in order to make better-informed choices about the matters that will influence your future – and, by consequence, the future of the rest of the world," she said.
Lynch's lecture at Case Tuesday was the second in this year's Susie Gharib Distinguished Lectureship in Journalism series. The next installment will take place on Tuesday, March 1, at noon, when Jim Morrill, senior political writer for the Charlotte Observer, will discuss covering politicians. His free talk will be held in the Guilford House lounge.
