I think it's only in a crisis that Americans see other people. It has to be an American crisis, of course. If two countries fight that do not supply the Americans with some precious commodity, then the education of the public does not take place. But when the dictator falls, when the oil is threatened, then you turn on the television and they tell you where the country is, what the language is, how to pronounce the names of the leaders, what the religion is all about, and maybe you can cut out recipes in the newspaper of Persian dishes.

Summary

This quote suggests that Americans tend to pay attention to and become knowledgeable about other countries and cultures primarily during times of crisis or when their own interests are directly affected. It implies that the American public's education and understanding of international affairs is often motivated by self-interest and the need for essential resources. The quote also highlights the role of media in shaping this limited awareness by providing selective information about these countries, such as their location, leaders, language, and even cultural aspects like recipes.

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