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Doesn’t get much better – or worse – than this

DISCUSSIONS | June 07, 2006


Alice Tatah, Cameroon
atatah@camail.harvard.edu

2006 Nieman fellow; journalist, Cameroon Radio and Television Corporation, Yaounde

Some Cameroonians love America for its power, sophistication, opulence and hospitality. Others resent its self-interest, exploitation, arrogance and hypocrisy.  Some wish to live the American dream – a better life, quality education, and good health care facilities. But others dislike stress on life brought by money and self-interest in America. They point to low-end jobs such as security guards and nursing assistants that professionals from Cameroon are reduced to in America because their medical degrees, for instance, are not recognized.

American foreign policy evokes mixed feelings among Cameroonians. Some believe America rightfully plays its leadership role in maintaining world peace and security.  To these, America is a target for those around the world displeased by its leadership, as 9/11 proved. But others think military actions by the U.S. around the world are naked aggression; to them, U.S. policies discredit the peace and security role of the United Nations.

Even though Cameroonians admire such American values as a vibrant press and the respect of human rights, they think the U.S. does not promote these values nor does it put enough pressure on political leaders to instill these in Cameroon. For instance, the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde gives financial assistance to the National Election Observatory (NEO) established by President Paul Biya to ensure his stay in power and avoid the creation of an independent electoral commission.

Probably the enduring positive image of the U.S. in Cameroon is the Peace Corps. Since the 1960s, volunteers have worked at grassroots levels in agricultural forestry, community development, education and health. Generations of Cameroonians studied in the U.S. on scholarships and the U.S. Embassy in Yaounde supports cultural, educational and human rights initiatives, and other projects that target the poor.

American culture fascinates, but some of its excesses dismay Cameroonians.  American movies that glamorize sex are easily available. The danger is that the youth tend to imitate such behavior and suffer the consequences. Sexual practices such as homosexuality are no longer taboo subjects. In the streets of the cities, Cameroonian youth dress now in baggy pants; expose belly-buttons to mimic the stars of American TV shows. No wonder parents in Cameroon are appalled that these American life-styles erode moral and traditional values. Some do not hesitate to compare America to the biblical perverse cities of Sodom and Gomorra.  

To informed Cameroonians, 9/11, Abu Ghraib and Katrina dispelled myths of America’s invulnerability, glory and infallibility. Armed with box-cutters, a few individuals brought down the symbol of capitalism in New York; the inhumane treatment of prisoners offended all, and many were baffled by America’s incompetence when they watched the destitute of New Orleans 9th Ward. As disturbing as these images were, Cameroonians continue to perceive America as a fascinating and perplexing place.



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