Culturally Speaking: Promoting Cross-Culture Awareness in a Post 9/11 World
by: Mary Coons
Published by: Beaver's Pond Press
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Reviewed by Muhammed Hassanali
Bahrain is a flat, arid archipelago of thirty-three islands in the Arabian Gulf east of Saudi Arabia and west of Iran. The entire country is roughly three and half times the size of Washington, D.C., and is one of the more moderate countries in the Middle East. One may argue that as Bahrain is not a typical Arab or Muslim country, the value of comparing American and Bahraini attitudes is diminished from the perspective of comparing Arab or Muslim attitudes with American ones. While this observation may be true, there is still merit in comparing different attitudes across cultures no matter how these cultures fit within the wider framework.
Coons explores eleven myths Americans have of Bahrainis (or Arabs in general) and eleven myths that Bahrainis have of Americans. Interspersed among these myths are explanations that either report on activities that promote cross-cultural awareness or provide background on Arabs in general (for example on Islam, Arab attitudes towards marriage and women, etc.). The chapters are based on interviews with ordinary people in both Bahrain and the United States.
While not all the myths are busted, the text does delve deeper and provides a more complete explanation of the issues discussed. The background sections (those not addressing a specific myth) seem to have been written for the benefit of American readers. One may argue that some of the notions explored vary from scholarly perspectives, but readers need to realize that these notions are not based on scholarship but on the perceptions of ordinary citizens.
Issues covered cover the gambit from religion (only Islam is covered). Gender relationships, clothing and Arab-American relations are covered from both perspectives (as expected 9/11 does have a significant contribution). American foreign policy in the Middle East and the perception that Arabs are terrorists are also covered. One could argue that this list does not provide “both sides” of an issue or that this list is not extensive. However for a book like this one the author has a choice of either covering only the “top” issues (leaving out some perspectives) or narrowing the book’s scope to cover all relevant perspectives. Coons has chosen to do the former.
Armchair Interviews says: a 5-star look at differences.
Author’s Web site: http://www.CulturallySpeak.com
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