Reflections are probably only as precise as the instrument used to cast the image, I suppose. What you see mirrored in a lake is different than in a piece of tinfoil, a storefront window, or above the bathroom sink. Depending on how, when, and where you see a reflection, you may get a completely different idea of the original or actual composition. I too am a type of reflector, emitting a sort of reflection of the attitudes, diversity, interests, education, and ideas of my own home place. Depending on the lighting and materials surrounding me, I portray "my people" (a group whose composition or location may change at my own whim or for my own purposes) in a completely different shades.
I mention the metaphor because I can suddenly see my country through a new looking glass. Often while I am abroad for long stretches of time, I become incensed when others try to capsulize Americans into a clearcut list of stereotypes: Americans are stupid, fat, loud, casual, materialistic, insincere, patriotic, smiley, etc. I also add to these kinds of generalizations in an attempt to understand myself and where I come from in contrast to a different place or people. I have found myself uttering things such as "In the U.S., we do it this way..." or "Americans are usually like this..." Thwarting my own attempts to dispel such stereotypes, I contribute to an idea that you can capture a nation's entire reflection in a sound bite or mere reflection.
However, we all know that what we see in the mirror is just a bit different than how others perceive us. There is a likeness, but the image does not capture a whole person. Distortions increase proportionately when we try to take a look at ourselves in the back of a spoon or in a rear-view mirror while driving. A reflection helps us understand in someway the person others see us as, but it doesn't begin to tell of three dimensional shapes, lines, wrinkles, sparkles in eyes, or wide-mouthed laughter. In order to see those rich features, like Alice, we must step through the looking glass to encounter the person or place in its entirety.
My one-dimensional reflection of the United States while abroad has been warmed and enhanced during my visit home this summer. I have traveled in company. Hosting guests in Wyoming, South Dakota, and D.C. while home has helped me appreciate and understand those places better. Rose-colored glasses removed, I feel as if my reflections have improved with sharing. Through the eyes of visitors and hosts, I'm reminded of how askew my reflections sometimes become when I am not so close to home. I'm reminded that it is impossible to single-handedly capture the United States - or any place on this earth - with only your own eyes and devices.
Here are some of the things that have renewed and clarified the way I look at places I've known and visited for a long time:
- Wyoming is indeed rural and quite brown
- My family is funny, easy-going, and very cool
- Americans we have encountered along the way are über friendly and talkative
- I have a cool job as an ELF
- Air-conditioning is over-used and overly cool and I don't like it
- Food here is HUGE but can also be scrumptious
- The Big Horns are quiet and gorgeous
- Motorcycles (although very cool) are awfully loud sometimes
- The sky in Wyoming is enormous and very blue
- Summers are hot
- Washington, D.C. has a lot to offer
- Baseball is fun -- Go, Bowie Baysocks!
- Good friends are good friends no matter where or how often you meet
- I like living in Estonia
- Eavesdropping (because I can!) assures me that Americans are just like people everywhere else mostly (phew!)
- English is an interesting language that I fail to appreciate at times; I am still learning it and appreciative of its innovations and deviations (my family and friends are full of idioms and expressions new to me)
- Life here really requires a lot of driving, and I don't really like driving 15 minutes to the grocery so much anymore
- Basically, life here isn't so much different, depending on where you look, than anywhere else
Reflections are probably only as precise as the instrument used to cast the image, I suppose. What you see mirrored in a lake is different than in a piece of tinfoil, a storefront window, or above the bathroom sink. Depending on how, when, and where you see a reflection, you may get a completely different idea of the original or actual composition. I too am a type of reflector, emitting a sort of reflection of the attitudes, diversity, interests, education, and ideas of my own home place. Depending on the lighting and materials surrounding me, I portray "my people" (a group whose composition or location may change at my own whim or for my own purposes) in a completely different shades.
