I read this article today—after watching this video—and the thought struck me that for all our self–flagellation in the US press over the torture that occurred at Abu Ghraib Prison at the hands of US troops, we don't really have any sense of what torture is. There are many places in this world where imprisonment means a life of bitter torture—not just extreme humiliation.
Of course, neither is right. I am not excusing what happened at Abu Ghraib. However, there are people in prison today throughout Near-, Middle- and Far-Eastern lands who are suffering not because they attempted to hurt others, but because they dared to ask questions or to believe that God exists and reigns above all earthly masters.
Michael Medved once wrote that "America is bizarrely blessed." I concur that it has been. However, both the article and video unmask what can happen when a country sheds the conviction of 'old fashioned' ideals—such as a belief in absolute truth, a sense of right and wrong, honesty as a virtue, and acknowledgment of a loving God who sees all, who knows all, and who is over all.
As we cede the compass of our nation over to those who do not agree with the principles upon which it was founded, I think we must make a close inspection of those nations which have attempted to deny God altogether and replace Him with an alternate supreme ruler or political party.
Think it sounds like an unrealistic and remote possibility here in the freest nation on earth?
Don't count on it.
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Racism or Cultural Divide?
"I never thought this would happen in my lifetime."
This is a sentiment I have heard echoed time and again from various representatives of the African American community. By the intensity of the emotional response to Obama's election, I think it's fair to say that this historic event has been a cathartic experience for many Americans.
This election season, I was a little miffed at being called a racist because I didn't intend to vote for Barack Obama. After all, I have fundamental differences of opinion with him. It is possible to disagree regardless of the hue of one's skin.... I am a Caucasian married to a brown man. My children from my own womb are not rosy colored as I am, but I love them for who they are, not what they look like. The suggestion that those of us who weren't voting for him were racists just irritated me.
In the past 48 hours, however, it seems to me there has been a sweeping away of the collective demons of racial divide in our society. I'm glad for this, despite the fact that I wish it were Condi Rice taking up residence in the Oval Office next year.
The thought occurred to me, however, that perhaps the separation African Americans have felt in our country in recent history has been, in part, a cultural separation. Before anyone derides me for this, please realize I am not minimizing racial attacks. Nor am I minimizing the blood, sweat and fears suffered by those who fought long and heard to gain equal rights since slavery began in our country in 1619. Our family has been in the uncomfortable position of having racial slurs yelled at us, and I have felt fear for my children and husband as a result. I am not trying to say that this doesn't exist. All I am saying is that if an entire nation elects—by majority—a man of color, we have to recognize that our differences are no longer primarily racial.
My melanin-enriched husband tells me he doesn't sense any day-to-day discrimination, nor is he treated as if he is rejected on the basis of race. He does, however, feel as if he lives on the outside of most social circles. He was not born in the USA, and didn't grow up in the context of our culture. We had numerous cultural barriers to cross within our marriage as a result. He has said repeatedly he feels like a man of the world, belonging neither here nor there.
It just makes me wonder how much of the "racial" divide is not as racial as it is cultural nowadays. Echoes of Africa and African culture still persist within the African American community. Could it be that what has been traditionally attributed to racism could partly be a natural, normal, and very real tension between two cultures?
What do you think?
This is a sentiment I have heard echoed time and again from various representatives of the African American community. By the intensity of the emotional response to Obama's election, I think it's fair to say that this historic event has been a cathartic experience for many Americans.
This election season, I was a little miffed at being called a racist because I didn't intend to vote for Barack Obama. After all, I have fundamental differences of opinion with him. It is possible to disagree regardless of the hue of one's skin.... I am a Caucasian married to a brown man. My children from my own womb are not rosy colored as I am, but I love them for who they are, not what they look like. The suggestion that those of us who weren't voting for him were racists just irritated me.
In the past 48 hours, however, it seems to me there has been a sweeping away of the collective demons of racial divide in our society. I'm glad for this, despite the fact that I wish it were Condi Rice taking up residence in the Oval Office next year.
The thought occurred to me, however, that perhaps the separation African Americans have felt in our country in recent history has been, in part, a cultural separation. Before anyone derides me for this, please realize I am not minimizing racial attacks. Nor am I minimizing the blood, sweat and fears suffered by those who fought long and heard to gain equal rights since slavery began in our country in 1619. Our family has been in the uncomfortable position of having racial slurs yelled at us, and I have felt fear for my children and husband as a result. I am not trying to say that this doesn't exist. All I am saying is that if an entire nation elects—by majority—a man of color, we have to recognize that our differences are no longer primarily racial.
My melanin-enriched husband tells me he doesn't sense any day-to-day discrimination, nor is he treated as if he is rejected on the basis of race. He does, however, feel as if he lives on the outside of most social circles. He was not born in the USA, and didn't grow up in the context of our culture. We had numerous cultural barriers to cross within our marriage as a result. He has said repeatedly he feels like a man of the world, belonging neither here nor there.
It just makes me wonder how much of the "racial" divide is not as racial as it is cultural nowadays. Echoes of Africa and African culture still persist within the African American community. Could it be that what has been traditionally attributed to racism could partly be a natural, normal, and very real tension between two cultures?
What do you think?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
