Stereotypes, Communication, and Networking

(at The American Corner Oujda in November 2007)

By Mohammed HASHAS

December 2007

November 2007 was an occasion for the English speaking individuals of Oujda city to exchange ideas with some Americans about the American life and about the possible ways of more understanding between the Moroccan and American people, leaving apart the political issues that generally hinder this understanding and co-work. It first started with Ms Paula McLaughlin, an American teacher of French at Mercy High School, San Francisco, California, who was invited to animate a debate on Stereotypes and Moroccan-American Communication on November 6, 2007. What might be of surprise about the event is that while she was expected to find grounds of understanding between her country and Morocco, the director of the American Corner, Mr Mohammed Bendaha, was simultaneously doing the same thing in the US for his country, Morocco, and the US. They happened to be ambassadors of their societies at the same time. And it is no wonder still to know that while in the US he had the occasion to talk about the Corner’s activity that particular day, November 6, as he recounted to me after his return back home.

With MacLaughlin, and luckily with the director’s stay in the US at the same time, stereotypes were put on the table for correction or refutation. Though so many times the stereotypes are negative, this should not be a barrier towards comprehensive and understanding communication, that is how a young high school student with a young veiled girl brought the debate to near conclusion – calls which were applauded by the attendants because they (the calls for a better understanding) are initiated by the seemingly youngest participants in the debate.  What lent an academic aura to the debate was the presence of three university professors: Dr Jim Long, an American Fulbrighter at Oujda University, Dr Said Mentak, and Dr Mohammed Elkouche. Each was invited to say something about how they see the topic in focus; each responded according to his own experience and outlook.  In the main, it should not be understood that the debate has corrected all the stereotypical images each society has on the other. That does not happen over a two hours exchange of ideas. There is still a lot to be done, that is why more efforts are still to be directed to this point. Outreach programme is one way among possible many.

On 27-28 November, the US Embassy Public Affairs Bureau in Rabat reached Oujda within its Outreach Programme. For two days then the American Corner members as well as the English Department students at Mohammed I University met and exchanged ideas with some of the Embassy staff, be they Moroccan or American,  and participated in discussion about the American society, some of its aspects of life, its multicultural features, and possible ways of studying at its universities. The opening activities were held at Mohammed I University, School of Humanities, where a number of books were first exhibited and later donated to both the English Department library and the Corner’s. The English Department was mainly present in the person of it head Dr Abdennour Kherraki and its students. Akeelah and the Bee film was projected to end it with the Spelling Bee competition and by the end of which rewards (books, cassettes, T-Shirts) were given to the participants. The film pictures what goes in the US schools yearly, since they compete to have the Year’s “best speller”, as it were. Besides this tradition, the film pictures the presence of many ethnic groups in the American society, which are considered American despite their origins and differences. It may also be looked at as an example for teachers and tutors to consider new ways of teaching.  For students, it also means hard work and perseverance.  

The second day hosted a large number of visitors as it was programmed as Open  House, or Open Doors, during which activities of the Corner were exposed in a video. The books exposition was an opportunity for the visitors to have a look at the newly donated books. By the end of the day I was taken unawares by the director of the Corner to give the closing speech, which was an honorable occasion for me to thank all the attendants, and mainly the organizing staff of the Public Affairs Bureau, the Corner and the university for hosting these events which must have been enlightening and rich on so many levels. It was also an occasion to stress our job as ambassadors of our societies and cultures. It is through such cooperative work that one becomes more active and productive in his society, and all starts by making contacts which should turn into social ties and social networks. One alone cannot be as productive as when he/she is involved in group work, which teaches more openness to other ideas and perspectives.  

The feedback we received from both the organizing committee and the attendants and friends of the Corner is very satisfactory and very encouraging indeed. We hope similar activities will be organized the year throughout. This remains the job of all of us, as members of the Corner, and activists in our society. History does not forget that; pictures, records, and reports do their job well. So make your presence memorable!