Opinion

When Cultures Collide

Heather Mupita
Editor-in-Chief

It’s totally amazing how some of our best lessons in life are learned from our teachers and how they help to shape our lives for future experiences. I learned one such lesson last spring quarter in my psychology class.

Last quarter, I learned about the differences in perceiving a situation as distinct from a person. Sometimes we tend to judge people and make assumptions about them without understanding what their circumstances were when they acted in the manner they did. My then psychology teacher gave an example of the September 11th catastrophe. Not that he condoned the actions of the perpertrators but he cited it as an example of how we can make conclusions on such acts without fully analyzing the situation and what could have led to such destructive and revengeful behavior.

I learned a lot from the teacher about human failings and weaknesses. I also learned about the importance of humility and compassion towards other fellow beings. I think the whole conversation was not so much about September 11th or the Iraq war, but about what part or role I could play in making this world a better place.

For me the September 11th incidents had been a shock and when I watched it on television in 2001, I could not believe that anyone in their right mind could do such a thing. I could not understand nor comprehend how people could do that heinous act they did leading to the loss of innocent lives. However, the momentous lecture helped to caution me on making judgments in the future about circumstances about which I have no first hand knowledge. The lesson made me realize that although what those men did was unconscionable, we had to question whether something had happened prior to September 11th that could have made them take the disastrous action that they took. Different cultures can totally misunderstand each other and end up in conflict and wars over issues that could have been resolved had each side taken time to know and understand each other.

This has helped me to try and focus on how I can play my part in understanding others. I think in all of us, there is a tendency to judge others especially those who are different from us. But what time do we take to get to know others? Do we really take time to communicate? I think if we took more time to know other cultures, we would grow in knowledge and understanding, we would also be empowered, be more positive about ourselves and less suspicious of the world.

The words of wisdom by the teacher have also helped in my present situation in molding me as a student who has stepped into a different culture. I find myself confronting certain questions within my own life. Who are these people? Why do they behave in the manner they do? I am taking great caution not to make assumptions about the American culture and way of life. I want to try and avoid making the wrong conclusions and assumptions by making myself understood and also attempting to understand the other viewpoint. I believe that even though we are all different, we should behave in a manner that allows us to cooperate and develop and hence conquer our differences. I also believe that it is up to young people to start bridging gaps between cultures so that we can live in a better world tomorrow with less wars and more understanding of each other.

Another psychologist Vexen Crabtree (www.vexen.co.uk/ human/culture) had this to say about the importance of cross-culture: “So the more cultures you perceive, the more imperfections you can see in your own. This happens during war; it becomes essential for the governments to convince its citizens that the enemy are inhuman, house-burning, wife–raping hordes. Once people discover that the enemy are just ordinary people, they can’t fight! Cross-culture makes it harder to hate. people.”

Letter to the editor

As a former police officer, I could not let your editorial of Oct. 22 go without comment. The editorial addresses the Patriot Act and its potential abuses, citing an incident involving Ian Spiers. Spiers was taking photos of a bridge near the Ballard Locks and was questioned by a Seattle Police officer.

From reading your editorial it would appear that Spiers was questioned as to his activities and after producing the photo assignment paperwork was allowed to go on his way. You may not be aware, but police officers are allowed, and in fact it is their job, to question people regarding suspicious activities. It is not clear from your editorial whether a citizen called in the complaint about Spiers’ activities or if the officer came upon the situation on his own.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1968 (Terry v. Ohio) that police officers may detain a person for questioning when “reasonable suspicion” exists in order to determine if the individual is in fact involved in criminal activity or not. These are to be brief detentions based on the circumstances of the incident.

It appears that this is what the officer did, and when he determined that Spiers was not involved in criminal activity he let him go about his business. It seems to me that the system worked. I do not even see where this incident is tied to the Patriot Act except that the events of 9/11 have changed perceptions among officers and citizens alike as to what constitutes suspicious behavior. Remember that after 9/11 we were all looking back at suspicious activity and criticizing the public and law enforcement for not reporting the incidents and not “connecting the dots.”

What should we have had the officer do? What if it was not Mr. Spiers but someone who was not so nice and at the height of the boating season there was an explosion and innocent people were killed? What would we be saying about the officer then?

There have been times when I have “lucked out” to be the one searched at the airport, stopped while driving my car, or asked to produce ID when cashing a check or using my credit card. Instead of giving the individual a hard time, I am happy they are doing their job and perhaps saving me from being victimized by fraud or injured through another’s actions. We need to remember that though we know we are “good” people, officers don’t know that initially.

We are extremely lucky here in the U.S. to operate under the governmental system that we do and to have educated, ethical, dedicated police officers risking their lives every day to protect us. I have lost several friends because they wore a police uniform. Perhaps instead of criticizing police officers when they do their job, we could thank them.

Linda Forst
Professor of Criminal Justice

From the editor

This is my first opportunity to speak as the voice of the Ebbtide. We have had so many changes this quarter; most of the staff is new. Karen Rathe, the outgoing advisor, also left last spring to teach journalism at the University of Washington. We now have Patti Jones who comes to us with experience as both a local and international journalist. We are pleased to have Patti join us and share her experience and expertise.

So far the Ebbtide staff has had its challenging moments. As the quarter goes by we find that we are settling down and learning from our experiences and mistakes. As the Editor-in-Chief, I find this position most challenging, but also a remarkable opportunity. I’m an international student from Zimbabwe, a country in Africa. I’m really grateful for this opportunity to learn more about the world of the media and hopefully take back what I have learned to my country and help to shape its future. There are too many students who come to America and never go back to contribute to their countries, I hope one day I will be able to do this.

The Ebbtide staff is doing their best to try and give a broad perspective on the issues that are relevant and of interest to students and staff alike. Please help us to make this newspaper more effective by giving us feedback and send us any news that might be of interest to the college community.

We look forward to different points of view and also to recommendations on how we could improve the face of Ebbtide. Remember, this is not just a paper for a few people but everyone at SCC.

Let us all come together and make it better in a way that serves all of us and not just a few individuals.

Heather Mupita
Editor-in-chief