Sept 10 Article Reflection

For the past few hundred years the United States has been a big player in world affairs. It prides itself with its democratic values and the fact that its people have such a large say in who leads the country. However it is true that you really have to wonder how the rest of the world views the United States. The United States only contributes to about 5% of the world but at the same time has a large upper hand in world affairs.

            I found these articles really interesting because it made me think of my own perspective as a distant observer in world news and wars over seas. The two articles really demonstrate how much media affects how people view certain things, which can have a really big effect on the stability of a country. In the Brazil article it goes into detail about how they view the United States as a Bully. According to the article “Bullies are quick to make a person feel two emotions: fear of what they might do and anger over what they have done.” At first when reading that first line my first instinct as an American was think, not my country the land of the free, home of the brave and all that jazz. I decided to put myself in the position of the other countries and really thought about it. When I thought about it made me think of what is the All American Bully, so instantly I thought of the bully on the Simpson’s, Nelson. He is always holding you down, trying to take (borrow) your money and even though he doesn’t outwardly say it want to be strategic and have the most control. However, when all is said and done I don’t view America like that but I can understand why other countries do. Brazil’s media really did give the United States the appearance of going completely against the United Nations for their own person gain. In the article I have to disagree with the way it was written. It very adamantly described how Brazil thought that the United States was being “domineering” and just invading Iraq for its own gain and take control over the oil. The missed a key point, that being that nearly 3,000 people died on September 11, 2001 and it was becoming a matter of national security. I can only imagine the Brazilian media’s coverage on that tragedy.

            It was also interesting to read on the perspective of the Chinese especially taking into account that they haven’t always had extensive media coverage. It kind of surprised me how any country could view war as a “game” but I guess when you are that far from it and also trying to keep your countries best interest in mind it is just best to stay out of it and remain neutral on the topic. The main idea though that these articles have in common is that in the end each country is heavily influenced by the media and in the end will believe whatever puts their country in the best and brightest light.