History:

My ethnic group, generally, has never been lazy. We've always had no choice, but to work for a living. During slavery we worked. After we were freed, we had to work to survive, not as a career option. For a large proportion, it is still that way now.

Misunderstood:

Nearly everything - such as being primitive, overly sexual people, being thought of as lazy, being considered dangerous, loud-mouthed, and not smart enough.

Cultural Treasure:

I think the greatest cultural treasure of suburban, middleclassers is how close we tend to be to the "average". Some of us are almost "normal". I think that having a relatively happy and uninteresting childhood followed by a similar development into adulthood is great for one's perspective. It helps one to really appreciate the extraordinary when it finally comes along.

Misunderstood:

I don't feel particularly misunderstood by anyone. We are somewhat spoiled by our parents and treated with scepticism as to our chances at success by our teachers (specifically college professors). We are given a good dose of culture through television and readily fall into line with what we see and hear. I think that these responses are entirely appropriate. Of course these are generalizations but I feel there is a lot of truth to them.

Misunderstood:

We are not all rich. We do not all have money to burn. It is both easier and harder here. In some countries, you can full-time maids if you have a job. Here only the rich have full-time maids. It is easier to get stuff like televisions, VCRs and stuff like that than in other countries.

Least Known:

America never intended to become the world's policeman, or to dominate any culture. In our early history we practiced a belief of "live and let live." Most Americans still support this ideal. It is our nature to tolerate others and not to force any nation to submit to our rule. Unfortunately, U.S. foreign policy has corrupted this ideal over the last fifty years or so against the will of the vast majority of Americans.

Cultural Treasures:

The Constitution. Most Americans, and non-Americans I'm sure, have not read this remarkable document which is a model for freedom today. Please read it if you can.

Misunderstood:

All Americans are "rich". I have traveled extensively both both in the military and as a civilian and have encountered this misperception often. Wealth is relative. While the average American may seem rich because he is vacationing internationally and spending money on useless trinkets, it is still wrong to assume that he is rich. The contents of an American tourist's wallet may equate to a year or more wages in some countries. However, once spent, the American would be no richer than anyone else in a given country should he have to earn a living in a foreign culture without the skills required of that society. He would quickly become a "poor" member of that society. The only fair measurement of his wealth is the setting within which he earns his money. Most Americans who love to travel, meet new people, and experience different cultures are of modest means by American standards.

Least Known:

The seeming inability of the American nation to accept the "status quo". We are idealistic as a people and a nation, and seem to believe that we can make things better for us and the world. We have been willing to spend our treasure and our young people in an attempt to live up to these ideals.

Have we succeeded? Not always, but we have tried and that is what counts. Few, if any, other nations can make the same claim. This idealism is constantly refreshed by countless generations of immigrants bringing their hope and ideals to this country.

Cultural Treasures:

In my opinion, we have two cultural treasures in this country. The first dates to the beginning of our country and is the Constitution of the United States. It is the first time in history where the common people established a government and limited the powers of that government to certain objectives. More importantly, it guaranteed certain rights to the people. It has not been perfect, but it is certainly better than whatever is in second place.

The second is our cultural diversity. This country is a nation of immigrants. It took my traveling and living in different countries to fully realize just how precious this cultural diversity is. It is what defines this country and the unique experience that it represents.

Misunderstood:

The influence of the U.S. Military from 1941 through 1980 is highly misunderstood when it comes to the introduction and melding of many foreign cultures into the American culture. Many of the U.S. military personnel brought home foreign brides. This, in turn, led to more cultural contacts between the country of the bride and the United States.

In 1941 the U.S. was a very isolationist society with few foreign contacts except for Europe, Canada and Mexico. Asia, Africa, and other areas were seldom visited by Americans. The Philippines, Guam (both of which we stole "fair and square") and Shanghai (the old "China Station" of the Marines) were limited exceptions.

The period between 1941 and 1945 was the first experience most Americans had with foreign culture (besides the military culture of course). This was enhanced by the Occupation Forces after 1945 and the subsequent network of military allegiances throught the world.

The first foreign brides came here in 1946. Family ties were retained by the bride and the ex-G.I. husband. There was contact in both directions and visits home became increasingly common. With this came both understandings and misunderstandings - some humorous and some serious - on both sides.

The ultimate result of this period has has been a stronger and more ethnically diverse nation. For the most part it has led to a more tolerant society. As the children of these marriages and their cousins become more "Americanized" they will take a greater and greater role in the political and economic life of this country.

Cultural Treasure:

The "melting pot" of the U.S.A. The U.S. is an experiment. It's a relatively young country. It is composed of many ethnic groups with changes going on even today as more an more Asians come to the western part of the U.S. The big question is will the experiment work??? We hope so since it will tell something about the future of the world.

Misunderstood:

American culture changes from region to region and area to area within a region. If you want to learn more about American culture, you have to get specific as to what area you are interested in. For example, one finds many Germans who like the cowboy West. New Mexico along the Rio Grande River Valley from Santa Fe to Truth or Consequences has a lot of cowboy history.

Cultural Treasure:

Freedom. Because it is never free. The cost has and always will be paid.

Misunderstood:

Confidence in oneself and their potential, as well as national pride does not necessarily indicate a superiority complex.

Cultural Treasure:

The Liberty Bell is a treasure because it represents freedom.

Misunderstood:

In spite of what you read about crime and gangs in America, we are a peace loving people and shun violence.

Cultural Treasure:

Freedom. Because it is never free. The cost has and always will be paid.

Misunderstood:

Confidence in oneself and their potential, as well as national pride does not necessarily indicate a superiority complex.

Least Known:

My family is descended from the Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Before we came to America and before England overcame Ireland, my family was descended from the Davies who were, I am told, the knight protectors of the king of Ireland.

Cultural Treasure:

The land around my hometown. My family has owned that land for generations. We held it during the Great Depression and other dark times in our country's history. It has just as much of our blood, sweat, and tears as it does earth and grass.

Misunderstood:

I have received many derogatory statements in my years in the military just because of my background and the place I call home. Most people believe that persons born and raised in the "South" are ignorant backwoods rednecks. This is hardly true. I know at least two people whom I had gone to school with who excelled. One of them went to West Point and the other attended the Naval Academy. Additional classmates are attending some of the top colleges in the nation. I myself am an air traffic controller for the U.S. Navy. Men and women of the South are just as intellectual as others across the nation.

History:

That we really do love people and want them to know Christ.

Cultural Treasure:

The Smithsonian Museum

Misunderstood:

That we are rude, selfish and only care about money.

Least Known:

With the rise of the One Nation party, it seems that many 'non-indigenous Australians' believe we should save our culture and lessen/stop immigration to our continent. They really must have forgotten that we are all immigrants in some form or another. It is positively ridiculous to differentiate Australians from other world citizens.

Cultural Treasure:

Our diversity. It challenges prejudice at every turn, and enriches our culture.

Misunderstood:

What people don't understand about Pauline Hanson, is that she is simply the product of extreme right-wing media that still exists in this country. It makes me cringe when I hear the thinly veiled racist/sexist comments on talk-back radio, so often taken by country folk as the god-given truth.

There is not enough of a push to educate these extremely powerful media hosts. Unfortunately it takes generations to shake off these unconscious prejudices. Let's hope it's sooner rather than later.

Least Known:

Even though we've a small population for such a big space (18 million people over a country roughly the size of the USA) we're not all stereotypical bushmen or country farmers. Most people live in cities, and our cities are like most cities anywhere, though not as big as Tokyo or London, for instance. We have our own tv shows, movies, pop music, sports, brands, authors, gloss magazines...life here on the whole is fairly similar to life in England or America I'd say.

Cultural Treasure:

I suppose this will sound quite cheesy, but I would say the Australian people. I still find it amazing that so many people with such different backgrounds, religions and ethnicity can manage to get on as well as we do, and form a cohesive and culturally rich community.

Misunderstood:

I feel that the most misunderstood aspect of Australian culture at the moment is the perception that we are racist. Australia has received a lot of bad press about people like Pauline Hanson of the One Nation Party, the present government's refusal to apologise to indigenous Australians, and hard stance on the acceptance of refugees into our country. The fact is that not everyone in Australia supports these people--The One Nation Party, for instance, after an initial surge of support, failed miserably in the most recent federal election. The Liberal Government has only just managed to be voted back in. Much of their vote only came because some people felt safer, after recent world events [9/11/01], sticking with a tried and trusted government.

Australia, like any country, has a lot of problems, but there are people actively trying to fix them. Unknown to a lot of people also, is that there are many Australian citizens from countries all over the world, making it one of the most multicultural countries, but we get on much better than other countries who have a much less diverse range of people, religions and backgrounds. Finally, Australia has only been a nation for 100 years, and the majority of its population for only 200. With this in mind, I feel the attitudes of Australians are becoming more tolerant in a much shorter space of time than in other countries.

Cultural Treasure:

The power to understand each other through mutual trials and tribulations. When seeing another black person on the street in Japan there is a mutual respect and honor paid..like when the Japanese bow. For blacks though it may be a nod or just a look.

Being oppressed for so many years has made black people have to hide activities and live on the edge with constant tension and concern for the law and the oppressor. A clerk in a store follows people of color to try to look for theft...that is the tension I'm talking about. The tension is felt at the base of your neck. This is part of what it means to be oppressed in America. The shared experience of daily life for black people is one of the unique treasures we have. It is the root of our culture since our African culture was stripped from us.

Misunderstood:

Many people think that blacks are only dating Japanese because of money. Perhaps some are, but most of us date Japanese girls for two reasons, sexual attraction being the most obvious. But then there is also the urge to learn about other people of color around the world. We can learn about Japan with an actual Japanese companion who will guide us to the more interesting aspects of Japan, the one most tourists never know about, or can never find.

Least Known:

Hawaiians' tie to the land/sea is imperative for their spiritual, emotional and physical survival. The illegal annexation of Hawaii is not well known. On July 7, 1898, President William McKinley approved an illegal vote annexing Hawaii to the U.S. Less than half of the senate voted - only one-third voted. Of those who voted, only two-thirds voted yes. (from Within a Nation, Coffman, pg 311).

Cultural Treasure:

The ahupua'a is a cultural treasure that has almost totally been cut up by developers and land law. The ahupua'a is the traditional economic base for the Hawaiian people. It is the division of land rights from the mountain to the sea. This division enables people to be self-supporting with products from various ecosystems. Kahana Valley on Oahu is one such ahupua'a "owned by the state of Hawaii" that Hawaiian people are "leasing".

Misunderstood:

Hawaii was illegally annexed to the U.S. The Hawaiian people have the most drug problems, are in prison more and their life expectancy is lower. Resitution from the Federal Government must be made.

History:

As a Canadian, I still find it very difficult to explain our national meekness in comparison to the social and business tenacity expressed in other more agressive nations. This can probably be attributed to our national social safety net. I feel that Canadians are not aggressive enough to deal with Asian and other far more shrewder business-minded nations. It also appears that the lack of such safety nets in many nations has instilled far greater survival instincts.

Canadians must learn as much about the culture of nations like Japan if we want to continue to interact with and conduct business with them and survive.

Cultural Treasure:

I am very greatful for the honor of living in Canada. Canada possesses beautiful natural scenery, freedom of expression, and I can start my own business here. Because Canada is a multi-cultural nation, marriages across cultural lines is not unusual.

Canada, unlike many Asian nations, and Japan in particular, is not male dominated and thus accords women respect as well educational and business opportunities.

Misunderstood:

It is difficult to describe my feelings regarding my identity as an ethnic Chinese, who was born in Vietnam, but grew up in America. I can't speak Vietnamese and no one in my household speaks Vietnamese either. I was raised in the Chinese culture. I didn't know anything about Vietnamese culture until I had some Vietnamese friends in college. The funny thing is that Vietnamese see me as a Chinese person and the Chinese see me as Vietnamese. The Chinese don't believe me when I tell them that I don't speak Vietnamese. They think I am ashamed of my birth country. I feel kind of torn between what my true identity is. Is my identity defined by others or myself?

Least Known:

We have been around for thousands of years. Many of the greatest cultures (such as the Greeks & Romans) accepted homosexuality and even Julius Caesar had affairs with men.

Cultural Treasure:

We have respect. Some of us won't even walk around on our boyfriend's arm or show any public affection because we don't want to see anybody do it in public either.

Misunderstood:

We are not all bar-hoppin', internet junkie, nymphomaniacs.