Cultural Differences In American History

This course has covered a wide variety of historical periods, cultures, themes - the list goes on - that I find both personally and contemporarily relevant. If had to choose one for reflection, it would be the various dissident movements we have discussed. The discussion about Five Sisters and the disintegration of the Yugoslav states in particular were the most informative and personally moving to me. I do not tend to hide my radical politics, so of course that is part of why I found these topics the most interesting - I am always curious to find out the various ways people choose to resist their establishments, and also the perceptions outsiders have. Not only was it illuminating to contextualize Eastern European dissidence, but also to hear the differences in my peers’ opinions. To apply this theme more objectively, I find value in studying dissidence and revolt important now …show more content…
Russian and Eastern European history is so vast and dense, and I think that the American education system provides limited or inaccurate information about these countries, especially post-Cold War. Animosity and stereotyping came from both the USA and the USSR during that time, and both are responsible for perpetuating their own stereotypes, but I feel that disproportionately the average American does not have sympathy or understanding for Russian or Eastern European dissidents. It is handy, so to speak, to demonize Russia and communism as a way to promote capitalism and America. Despite the fact that relations may be ‘improving’ with the new president-elect, I think that many people in America allow the negative stereotyping of Eastern Europe to persist. I think that if voices of Eastern European dissidence were elevated more in the West, this negativity would not as