Debating the effects of American influence

Many people, including some U.S. citizens, do not like how America plays the bully. At last night's "Why Does the World Hate America?" student panel debate, PennForum and the Red and Blue co-sponsored the first in a series of events at Houston Hall. Over 60 students attended the discussion, where four panelists were divided into two teams, which argued whether U.S. involvement in the affairs of other countries is harmful or beneficial. "We wanted to give people the interplay," Red and Blue Founder and College senior Adam Magnus said. The Red and Blue was started last year under the Fox Leadership Program as a way to get students involved in discussion forums. Panelist and College junior Aryah Nakissa took the anti-U.S. involvement side, saying Americans are intolerant of non-American ideas. He said that the "advancement of women" in the world was only an adoption of American ideas. According to Nakissa, Arab feminists are only adopting what Americans believe is the appropriate role for women. "Arab feminists are called imperialists," he said. He complained that America goes too far in pushing its beliefs on to other cultures. Nakissa said American ideas about feminism and gay rights are supported by American universities and imposed on the world, noting that American academics are intolerant of conservative Christians. "It tolerates everything but intolerance," he said, adding that American universities are oppressing cultures around the world in the same way the Church stopped Galileo from showing why the earth is spherical. But panelist David Greene, a College and Engineering sophomore, disagreed with Nakissa's negative stance. Greene noted that America's "stability" helps other countries maintain order, saying "America fulfills the role" as a dominant country and helps stabilize other nations. And Engineering junior Mike Krouse also praised America's influence. "I do not think they have crossed the line between imperialism and humanitarianism," Krouse said. America helps bring "free markets and democracy" around the world but does not force countries to adopt these institutions, he said. Krouse added, "America has done a lot of good things for the world economy" because of its position as a leader. Organizers hailed the turnout as a success. "Its a great start for our first event," said PennForum Chairman and Ethan Laub, a Wharton junior. Audience members satisfied their international curiosities at the debate. College sophomore Jane Jolis said she grew up in Belgium and wanted to hear why Americans think they are disliked, complaining that America often decides "who to protect and who not to protect." "I think it was a telling observation" that three of the students against America's foreign policies were international students, College sophomore Allison Cebowitz said. PennForum's events usually involve a panel of experts. But the organizations said it will continue co-sponsoring student-run forums alongside its regular events.

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