Let's not repeat history

Having lived in three developing countries for 17 years, I met very fine Americans, as well as arrogant and ignorant Americans. Representatives from the U.S. Embassy, USAID, Peace Corps, U.S. Military, UNICEf and UNESCO and missionaries are among those I encountered. Many stayed briefly, never getting to know the culture.

Not fitting into any of those categories gave me special insight – into others and myself. Most Americans, including me, travel with American glasses on and don’t often see what is happening right before our eyes. For instance, in Sierra Leone, I saw women working the fields...