THE  EYES  OF  THE  WORLD  ARE  ON  US


We lived in Malaysia then. I was doing research on “dietary behavior.” As a British friend said, Why people eat what they do and not what they should. There were several of us doing different kinds of studies of health as it relates to culture, on a grant from the National Institutes of Health. That year, almost forty-five years ago, it was my turn to give a report to Congress. 

On the way back I stopped a few days in South Korea. One morning, early, my guide and interpreter and I entered a small town. I remember how cold it was! To me the main street of the town seemed festive with banners hanging on poles. But almost no people -- I thought too early and too cold. I asked Mr. Kim (he told me half of all Koreans were named Kim) what these banners were for. Mostly advertising, he said.
Until we came to a larger banner that had a clump of people around it, avidly reading. I could see this was more than advertising, there were too many of those mysterious Korean glyphs. The thirty or more people who were packed close to read, were strangely silent. I asked Mr Kim what it said; speaking English of course.

As one, the group turned to face me. An old woman, nearest to me, said something very softly, then burst out in tears, reached out to touch my arm. Mr Kim translated: The president of the world has died. Others came close and touched my arms, shoulders, many men as well as women with tears in their eyes.
President Kennedy had been assassinated.

The next day, in Malaysia, my wife told me that total strangers had called all day and all night to express their sorrow. People dropped flowers before our house. People stopped us on the street to express their horror and dismay.

From reading what people all over the world are thinking today, our president is no longer thought to be president of the world. It is not at all difficult to find out what other people are thinking -- every country has at least one web site that presents thoughts from there in English.

We do not seem to be aware that all the world is looking to America for something. Perhaps guidance out of a confused and greatly troubled world. Or perhaps for hope. America used to be a light, the shining example that it was indeed possible to have a good life, in a world in peace, with justice for all.
Not any more. Today, America is known for its power, and for a kind of diplomacy that forces rather than seeking cooperation. And the worldʼs biggest manufacturer of things that kill and destroy.

We are the only ones who can vote for one or the other candidate, one or the other party (I have finally learned that votesfor third or fourth parties are feathers in the wind). Our choice is of concern to most of the worldʼs people. And then to think that only half of eligible voters vote in general elections...
Perhaps this country can be a light again, but it is also possible that we will lead the world into the final disaster that will spell the end.
Itʼs up to a small number of people, compared to the effect our choice may have on all mankind.

That is a great responsibility.