BBC interview with Valarie Kaur
BBC Asian Network (radio) - Jan. 23, 2007

Valarie Kaur is interviewed by Sonia Deol of the BBC Asian Network about anti-American sentiment abroad and Americans' reactions to this phenomenon, in relation to her work with Divided We Fall.


TRANSCRIPT

DEOL: America's losing friends, according to a big poll from the BBC World Service. One of the stories I really want to tell you about this morning. In a survey of 26,000 people in 25 countries, there was a significant drop in the level of respect that the public have got for America's role in world affairs. Now, one of the main reasons is Iraq, but there is also concern about the conflict in Lebanon, Guantanamo Bay, and of course, the Middle East. And all of this comes as the U.S. government is preparing to send a further 21,500 troops to Iraq and just over 24 hours before President Bush's State of the Union address, which is really important. So, how surprised are Americans by all of this?

SOUND MONTAGE OF UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE'S COMMENTS (with British accents):
I just don't like Bush. What he did with Saddam was just totally wrong.

Actions, what they have done to the poorer nations

Attitude problem.

They're just arrogant, they're very racist

They're rude.

I think it is their foreign policy, really. I think they're brainwashing everyone through the media. It's cause of the twin towers, it's cause of oil.

There probably are other causes, but the main one I'd say is the war.

They go in the name of peace, but really, you know, they're causing more harm than good.


DEOL: Pretty strong words from people about America there, so let's get some American reaction to this. Valarie Kaur is a third-generation American Sikh. She's traveled across the states for her film, Divided We Fall. And she documented Asian stories when race hate crimes in America were hitting an all-time high after 9/11. Good morning, Valarie.

KAUR: Good morning, Sonia.

DEOL: How does it feel that America isn't as popular as it used to be, then?

KAUR: You know, it's really disappointing, but I have to tell you, after traveling across the country, I realize that I'm one of an entire generation of students deeply disillusioned with our administration's abuse of power. You know, after 9/11, the world showed us so much solidarity, and our administration responded by using the kind of excessive force that violates the very freedoms it sought to protect. So it's been a very profound experience to come of age in this time, and you realize you really have to fight for what you know your country to be. So this global anti-American sentiment is really no surprise to us. We actually share in it. But people must separate this particular administration and its President from the American people.

DEOL: It's really hard to do that, if you're not living, especially if you're not living in America and you just hear about America's foreign policy, for a lot of people, as you could hear with the voices you heard there, isn't it?

KAUR: It is. You know, people abroad often don't understand the sheer diversity that is America, both of its people and the opinions those people hold. And my film, Divided We Fall, is meant to hold up that diverse portrait. But I have to tell you, you know, my father, who is wise and compassionate, is also a strong Republican who voted for Bush twice. So I can't afford to demonize the other side, you know, I understand that the motivation is to protect our country. But there's only so long that fear can drive our policies, and people like my father are now really wanting a change in leadership, so we've seen that in the last election.

DEOL: Does your, I mean, the conversations you have with your dad about this, does he regret voting for Bush twice or not?

KAUR: You know, somewhat. But at that time, there was such a need to do anything to protect our country, and to make sure his daughter was safe, living in the big cities she's lived in,

DEOL: So --

KAUR: Um, but it's -- mmm-hmm?

DEOL: You've got this situation now with more troops going into Iraq, and this is a huge kind of like, bone of contention already, isn't it? It's a very sore subject for so many people. I mean, I don't know whether that's actually helping America, doing any favors in terms of their image outside of the States in any way, what do you think?

KAUR: No, no, it isn't. I think increased troops is not addressing the root of the problem at all. But I think the thing that people have real faith in, or at least my generation has faith in, is that there have always been two storylines for America. You know, there's the history of repression -- the genocide of Native Americans, slavery, laws that have kept people out, abuses of power -- but there's also the American dream -- you know, the commitment to freedom, equality, pluralism. So I think my generation is realizing that it's really up to us to fight for that dream and make sure that it continues to prevail. And so you see, you know, people like myself making films, telling stories, you know, drawing on all the resources we can to fight the good fight.

DEOL: Ok, thank you so much, Valarie, for talking to us. It's a quarter past seven...