Having lived in three developing countries for 17 years, I met very fine Americans — as well as arrogant and ignorant Americans.

Representatives from the U.S. Embassy, USAID, Peace Corps, U.S. Military, UNICEF and UNESCO and missionaries are among those I encountered. Many stayed briefly, never getting to know the culture.

Most Americans, including me, travel with American glasses, and don’t often see what is happening right before our eyes.

For instance, in Sierra Leone, I saw women working the fields, and thought for two years, isn’t that quaint. They are helping their husbands â€...