Will You Send Her Your Stereotypes?

As Jeff Jarvis says, a lovelier spokesperson who can find? I completely agree.

In the video Her Majesty Queen Rania made her presence on You Tube asking that we tackle our stereotypes of the Arab World.

"In a world where it's so easy to connect to one another, we still remain very much disconnected," Rania said in her YouTube video. "If what most people know about the Arab world and Arab people they've known through programs like 24 and Jack Bauer, I think they are in for a very big surprise."

Among the "stereotypes" she mentioned: "Do all Arabs hate Americans?"

Well, that is not so much a stereotype as it is a commonly-held truth that can only be understood within the historical context. The radicalisation or antipathy towards Western culture is widespread in the Arab world but not without the theories. Out there, everyone has a theory, their own stereotypes of the Western world. But truth be told, there's got to be a better way to facilitate the peace process and understanding between these peoples and nations other than dang the stereotypes.

Among those who responded had this to say:

Over the years, I have made a few serious friendships from both regions of the world. The stereotypes would often make the scene as one group's joke when the other's not listening. Other than that, there was no real misjudgement based on ignorance that I have seen. They are in fact aware of the stereotypes, and that they're just that. Of course this is just to cite an example. But the fact is that, there are deep-seated conflicts that started the fire in the hearts of these groups of people which to this day continue to threaten peace in the world. I do not know for sure who acted too slow to extinguish it or who fanned the flames, though I have theories. But please don't tell me that on the basis of getting rid of the labels, people can move on and begin to understand.

Because I did NOT KNOW, I also used to point along fundamental cultural differences as the culprit. Or that each one is just reducing the other by pinning labels wrongly to a group rather than seeing them as individuals. And therefore, once that's over, then there shall be peace in the land. Please, do not confuse me. I also used to think "ah stereotypes". I now wish I had not, for in fact that was never the point of discord.