It can be very difficult for cultures to understand each other, especially if they are very different.  European and American culture probably seem as savage and alien to tribal Africans as their culture seems to us. Although I agree with most of Achebe's essay, I feel it has a slight aloofness or "holier than thou" tone.  The lack of knowledge of other cultures I sap often seen as ignorance, however, it may be very difficult for those who without large financial support to travel to, read about, and learn about other cultures. I also think it is less important to understand a culture than it is to merely respect or even just not to criticize the other culture.