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| Misha Waiman at Bochum University |
Dealing With Stereotypes And Prejudice About America
April 21-22, 2008. At lecture/discussion events at the universities of Bochum and Dortmund on April 21 and a follow-on workshop at the Consulate on April 22, Columbia University Professor Michael Eskin discussed popular attitudes towards the United States. Drawing on his recent book (published by the Upper West Side Philosophers, Inc. in New York in German under his pen name Misha Waiman) "17 Prejudices We Germans have Against America and Americans That Can’t Quite be Correct". Prof. Eskin offered a light and humorous but incisive commentary on common views found in contemporary German society. Observing that many attitudes were also present in 19th century Germany, he argued that they are not a result of a lack of knowledge but persist despite factual information to the contrary. His observations sparked constructive and lively discussions reflecting genuine interest in exploring the issue.
