In the chapter "Islamic Fundamentalism and Anti-Americanism: Comprehending Casualty" the author states, "There is a deeply embedded view in Western discourse that Islamic fundamentalists are innately anti-American. They range from the naive - such as 'they hate us because of who we are' - to the sophisticated, such as the notion of the 'political enemy of hatred'...” So I must ask, where does intellect play into either scenario? Why shall we form barriers apart from other nations, when the ocean is already enough separation? It seems as though a Great Wall, like the one in China will be built, to further isolate us.
How often do we hear, or make, uneducated and unnecessary comments? To narrow this question down even more, how often do we hear, or make, uneducated and unnecessary comments about Eastern civilizations (the Middle East to be exact)? Many times, I have seen my peers ridicule and mock their culture. They find it nothing less than humorous to wrap a towel around their head, and pretend it's a turban. For Halloween even, they take joy in dressing in the native clothing of Middle Eastern countries such as Afghanistan, trying to portray themselves as "terrorists". I find this nothing less than repulsive to put it lightly.
Since when did common courtesy and human compassion die? When did it become okay, or even expected, to make fun of God, Jehovah, Buddha, Hari, or Allah etc.? We not only need to asses this particular situation, but all that exist. Instead of taking Charles Darwin's idea "Survival of the fittest" and applying it usefully to everyday life, it has turned into "Survival of the races", or "Survival of the beliefs". There have always been those that are bias against or racist against those that do not fit into their "tier". We need not be categorized by our race, our religious beliefs, or sexual orientation, but by the simple principle that we are human, and we shall and will look out for each other. So much time is spent on hate, because ignorance is glamorized. Society sets an ideal, and those that do not fit the accepted mold are discriminated against.
How do we change such a stubborn world? How do we show such stubborn people, there is another way? Certain dreamers, such as Martin Luther King Jr. have said it before me, and have said it best. When will we make their dream come true, if ever, and live in the world as one? When can we set down all the negativity we've heard, and disregard it? When can we live in peace and harmony, like the birds in the sky, the forests, and the vast oceans that divide us?
Carrie,
ReplyDeleteThought-provoking. One thing I want you to consider about your writing is how often you use rhetorical questions. It's a good technique, and you do lead up to these questions extremely well. But there is only so much reflective thought a reader can handle before they just don't think at all.
An interesting strategy that works for some people is to write the question but then try nd replace it with it's answer...even better if you can show the answer without telling it. Hard to master, but easy to work with.
_F