Lord Multiculturalism
For forty years critics have attacked Western culture in general and its American brand in particular for an assortment of perceived sins. Minority groups have alleged America was singularly racist. Radical feminist have charged that it is sexist and male-dominated. Gays have complained about homophobia. Hard-core Leftists argued that the United States is exploitive and in thrall to a few elite capitalists.
All these critiques shared a common philosophy and a shared purpose—other than trying to achieve cosmic victim status as recompense for individual disappointment.
First, the charge was that our culture was inordinately dominated by white, heterosexual Christian men, who had systematically oppressed others to maintain their own privilege. Second, the solution was to enact affirmative action, change attitudes, pay fines, create new government programs to remedy the sin, and, in general, to begin ensuring that race, gender, and class “matter” more in American life.
But one doctrine united them all—multiculturalism. It preached that America is not a melting bowl of different races that are to be assimilated, integrated, and intermarried under a common culture, whose traditions, government, science, and laws derived from a singular Western civilization—one that began with the ancient Greeks and Romans and gave the individual far more freedom and security than did other indigenous cultures in Asia, the Americas, and Africa.
Instead, multiculturalism insisted that Western culture was the culprit for global inequality and the cosmic unhappiness of the individual. We all are to embrace distinct and different cultures, none of them inferior to any other, all meriting equal consideration and worth. No one dare suggest a foreign practice inferior, another country less successful than our own—especially given our supposed history of assorted sins. All, however, always flew on Western jets, took Western medicines, and used Western appurtenances from the Internet to cell phones.
Recently the Archbishop of Canterbury admitted that imposition of Sharia Law in Britain was unavoidable. Does that mean that should some British citizens choose to kill their daughters out of “honor”, or circumcise their female infants, it is just “different” and therefore immune from criticism? I thought feminism tried to ensure equal protection of all women under the tradition of Western secular jurisprudence.
Harvard University just announced that in defense to Islamic students it would segregate its all-use gym so that Muslim women would not have to exercise with men. Will Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists have similar demands? I thought that the woman’s movement was supposed to bar just that sort of discrimination—forced segregation on the basis of gender?
California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo and UC Berkeley have begun arranging joint engineering program with Saudi Arabian counterparts, among them King Abdullah University. But some complained that meant they would be a party to the exclusion of Jewish students and faculty, and the segregation of women. Wasn’t the university supposed to be the bastion of equal protection, in its loud denunciation of racism and sexism as it had in the past when it led the boycotting and embargoing of apartheid South Africa?
In 2006 Palestinians in their state-run newspapers published a series of odious racist cartoons of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Such primordial bias drew almost no media attention—at least far less than what met the Danish cartoonists, of a private newspaper and without official sanction, whose caricature of Mohammed as a terrorist led to riots across the Muslim world, and Western censorship and apologies.
The truth is that multiculturalism trumps all else. If Islamists, or people of the Middle East, express racist, or sexist, or homophobic sentiments, they usually get a pass from the West. So ingrained is the notion among our elite that there are no absolute standards of ethics and morality, that we have lost the ability to apply abstract moral judgment without exception.
There is irony to all this—other than the obvious fact that Western trash-talkers themselves rarely leave the protection of their Western embryos. Aggrieved racial groups, feminists, and gays in the West have made their appeals for equity on the principles of freedom and rationalism. Western society is self-reflective and self-critical, and embraces reason not superstition.
Therefore when a law, custom, or received wisdom can be shown to be illogical and biased, reason dictates that it should change. How odd, then, that these Western pressure groups have suspended criticism of anti-Semitism, misogyny, racism, and homophobia under the guise that such offenders from other cultures abroad are apparently different and thus not subject to the same standards they have used to indict their own.
The truth is that in the world today, if a young girl is murdered in Britain by her family for lost “honor”, if an Israeli professor is discouraged to participate in a joint American academic program abroad, if university facilities are to be cordoned off out of religious and gender considerations, if a black woman is to be portrayed as an ape in a cartoon, don’t expect Westerners to complain. You see, the offender is of a different race, culture and religion than our own in the West, and therefore either can’t be an offender like we are, or is to be given an exemption in deference to our far greater past sins.
In short, Lord Multiculturalism trumps every left-wing critique, every –ism and –ology.
Tidbits
Spitzer suggestions
1. Please no more dutiful wives on television. Is the point to mitigate the shame? If so, it doesn’t work, but suggests instead that his career is a sort of shared investment, both financial and status-wise, and the two, Clinton-like, will not endanger their joint venture. He can face the music alone, just as he was caught alone.
2. The god of all politicians should be Nemesis, an all-seeing deity whose eye sees all, and metes out justice in kind and amount commensurate with the perpetrator’s hubris.
3. The age of the prostitute—22 years—seems under-emphasized. Besides the issues of criminality, lying, misuse of funds, et al, there seems something especially disturbing about a middle-age male paying some 22-year old for sex, to such a degree that she must discourage the mature governor by reminding him that his proclivities are “dangerous.” Class is of interest as well. She was once a 17-year-old runaway and high-school drop-out. Wouldn’t the humane, the liberal Democratic thing have been, when learning of her circumstances, to say something like, “Wait, you don’t need to do this, here’s a better deal: I will pay you not for dangerous sex, but to finish high school?”
More Suicide Bombers in Baghdad
Islamic human cruise-missiles went off in Pakistan and Iraq this week, and not long ago in Algeria and Israel. Suicide bombers have been able to do what the most sophisticated Western weapons cannot—navigate through crowds undetected and blow up targeted groups and individuals. The human brain is more sophisticated than a computer, and, given the sick realities of the Middle East, a young Muslim represents less material investment than a $1 million missile. The more we turn to drones and robots, the more the primordial Islamists turn their propaganda to young, sexually frustrated, angry males, who have been taught to hate and blame all of the failures of their societies and themselves on a Western other, to be fixed by a sexual reward in Paradise. They more cheaply and more efficiently can trump Western technology, since built into their guidance system is a powerful directive that still baffles the West, we are willing on occasion to risk dying in order to live; the suicide bomber is living to die, a much stronger impulse, at least in the short term.
Ode to an Orchard
I watched yesterday a 20-acre nectarine orchard—already pruned and cultivated—yanked out by a bulldozer in north Fresno, ostensibly for more tract development. As I drove by, the news reported $108 a barrel oil, and the French Foreign Minister suggested that the magic of America was over. All this comes as a consequence of a pathetic dollar, huge foreign debt, mounting national debt, sizable annual deficits, and a mortgage crisis.
At some point as I watched the trees fall, I thought have we Americans forgotten we must eat and need fossil fuels still to live? Here in California we are tearing out some of the world’s best farmland—with ideal weather, good loam soils, gravity-fed Sierra Nevada water, skilled farm managers—to build houses that could otherwise either be put on marginal soils, or in greater density to discourage the paving over our national assets, and a time when food grows scarce and expensive.
In terms of energy, we continue to delay coal plants despite our vast reserves, we dither on nuclear power, we won’t drill off the California coast or in tiny parcels in a vast Alaska, while we talk grandly of wind and solar and hydrogen and all the other solutions that are decades away from contributing in major ways to our energy needs—while our enemies in the Middle East are building trillion dollar reserves that will find their way into the hands of those who want to kill us. Do we think Nigeria or Russia is easier on the environment than we are when drilling oil, or that the Chinese have cleaner coal plants? If we really live on planet Earth, then isn’t it incumbent on us to exploit our own resources safely to ensure others less careful do less damage to our shared globe?
Can’t we find a single Presidential candidate who says: ‘Hang on. We are going to get serious. We our going to build coal, nuclear, more hydro-electric plants. We want as many Americans as possible to buy a second electric plug-in car for urban driving; we want more efficient gas and diesel engines; we are going to cut spending, radically so, to balance the budget, pay down the debt, pay off our foreign debt, and raise the value of our currency. Tighten your belts: federal spending is frozen for five years; we are going to raise the Social Security retirement age and reform the system. The borders are going to close, and citizenship is going to mean something again.’
Should McCain say that, it would trump ‘hope’ and ‘change’ and the 1960s tired old agenda, adopted by both parties, that got us in the mess we’re in.
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19 Comments
P. Ami:Professor Hansen,
Mar 12, 2008 - 11:22 pm James:It is my hope that you have hit upon a new way to gain the recognition required to be a Presidential speech writer. Any President that saw fit to include you on the team he or she uses to project America to itself and the world would automatically get my vote. In this election, one hopes it is an old, white, war-vet that might borrow your muse.
The scariest thing about multiculturalism is that I can’t think of a single way of defeating it, or convincing people of its ill effects anything short of Iran getting and using the bomb. And even then, you’ll get these moral-equivalence toting morons saying that whoever got killed likely had it coming for being so decadent. I’ve actually debated with otherwise reasonable people who think that we somehow deserved 9/11. Multiculturalism is scary, and the more people ignore real evils that are on display in the Muslim world and claim that America represents some great evil, the more difficult it will be to convince people otherwise.
Mar 13, 2008 - 1:22 am Dave Begley -Omaha:Prof:
1. News you might not know, a 3,300 acre oil refinery is moving forward in Elk Point, Union County, South Dakota. It will be the first US refinery in 25 years if it gets going. Looks good so far.
2. I got kicked off the Barack Obama blog for giving them some facts. I quoted you, with full attribution, in one of my last posts. That’s probably why I was terminated with extreme prejudice.
3. The facts are that the Islamist culture desired by UBL is a huge failure. A failure by every objective measure. I’m always stunned at how it *really* operates; especially as to women.
For a really brilliant (and very funny) treatment I highly recommend Chris Buckley’s “Florence of Arabia.”
Chris inherited his late Dad’s writing ability; just exceptionally good.
Mar 13, 2008 - 11:24 am Millard:Eminently sensible commentary, as always.
But should not “Harvard University just announced that in defense to Islamic students” read rather “Harvard University just announced that in deference to Islamic students”? Perhaps not. But in case it’s a typo, I thought you might like to know.
Mar 13, 2008 - 12:46 pm Ritchie Emmons:Dr Hanson, Would you like me to run for the White House? I think I can help you out with your Presidential requests above - I agree with them all. And I’ll make sure we stay in Iraq/Afghanistan until we win. I’ll just need you to overturn that little rule that prohibits one from being President unless they were born in this country. You do you end of the bargain, and I’ll do mine!
Mar 13, 2008 - 1:20 pm Major Mike:Democrats Celebrate Tribalism – Hillary and Barack
Democrats are now doing openly what they assiduously practice privately – celebrating their lack of diversity and multiculturalism. Democrats are naturally tribal, and celebrate their differences rather than commonalities.
Just like the Arabs, Kurds, and Persians, Democrats band together based on gender, ethnicity, race, and class, and the denial or intolerance of Western thought and religion.
At this point the liberal reading this is saying “that’s what we say about Republicans,” and so it is. However, Republicans are bound together by a reverence for the individual, while Democrats worship the collective. Republicans believe that individuals work to further their enlightened self-interests (read “enlightened self-interests” as meaning taking care of themselves and their families under the rule of law), while Democrats believe individual rights should be subordinated to whatever Democrats’ perceive as the common good, which is the essence of tribalism.
And socialism.
Mar 13, 2008 - 2:31 pm richard everett:Professor:
Mar 13, 2008 - 2:55 pm Solange Miller:I may be mis-remembering(?), but isn’t this like King Canute ordering the tide to go out, and to the same effect? As to multiculturalism and PC, I have felt that what this country needs, and have always felt will get the feel of a jackboot on their necks, well deserved and to the cries of “what did we do to deserve this?” I don’t think there is much that can save us, We are going through the national equivalent of the European sucicide-by-lack-of-children that is happening today.
The demographic winter is coming to the US.
Aging workforce.
geocities(dot)com/demographic_crash
Good information on the subject. Welcome for a visit.
Have a nice day.
Sincerely,
Mar 13, 2008 - 6:14 pm Jimmy J.:Solange Miller
Tonight, on the Sean Hannity TV program, Senator McCain committed to a strong effort to achieve less dependence on foreign oil. He’s committed to more fuel efficient autos, and alternative energies. He also talked about getting more power from nuclear energy. He called it a matter of national security, which it is.
On the other hand, he disappointed by reiterating his opposition to drilling in ANWR and his belief in Anthropogenic Global Warming.
Hopefully, if he’s elected, we’ll get at least some movement toward energy independence.
He also talked about ending budget earmarks and getting our fiscal house in order. So far, so good. If he can deliver on the promises.
Mar 13, 2008 - 9:24 pm Joshua Sharf:I’m old enough to remember the 1970s, the talk of the Decline of America, the end of American leadership, detente, TV shows featuring oil-rich Arabs as the villains (yes!) and so forth. It was a despairing period. End of America and all that.
Didn’t work out that way. Doesn’t have to this time, either.
Mar 13, 2008 - 10:19 pm Sam:You make me so very sad, Mr. Hanson.
I really think we are committing civilizational suicide and that the future of man in the relative short term is a new Dark Age.
For America, I think nothing less than a second Civil War will turn things around. The rot is too ingrained. The saboteurs and parasites integral to the body even as they destroy it and themselves.
Mar 14, 2008 - 1:21 am Trudy B. Taylor:solange miller–simply not true, apparently. look at our immigration stats. unlike europe we are growing, and not with an overwhelmingly non-christian wave of immigration. american “families” have yet to fall beneath 2 kidlettes/household, as in europe. unlike europe our immigrants, even the illegal ones, have a going chance at climbing the societal ladder (in europe their chosen path is to centralize, embed and resist the wanning predominant euro-culture). there is so much ennui there that they have only lately begun to realize the quicksand that the gradual loss of their culture has put them in.
so, while it is true that we cant replace the boomers in sheer american numbers with the next, or even the next next generation. we can acquire our future thru revamping our outdated immigration policies and working on assimilating those non-enumerated 12 million or so of south america’s aspiring middle class that crept over the border to milk us of our millions. what a thought–they might just turn out to be the roots of most vigorous american citizens of our country’s future.
Mar 14, 2008 - 6:00 am DB:Send the last paragraph to John McCain at once.
Mar 14, 2008 - 12:15 pm PA:Dr. Hanson,
My comment is actually a question regarding your familiarity with, and opinion of, an old military historian who was quite prolific in his time: Theodore Ayrault Dodge (1842-1909). He served in the New York volunteer infantry during the Civil War and obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Specifically, have you read any of his (rather lengthy) works on the “Great Captains”: Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Julius Caesar, Gustavus Adolphus, Frederick the Great, or Napoleon Bonaparte? I have read a couple of his works and enjoyed them immensely. When I ask people if they know of Lieutenant Colonel T.A. Dodge and his work however, the typical — if not only — response I have recieved is a blank stare. As an aside, which military historians do think most highly of who are still active today? Keep up the phenomenal work Dr. Hanson.
Mar 14, 2008 - 3:30 pm DuMaurier-Smith:In the arena of public discourse nothing trumps irrationality–for the obvious reason. Phrased differently, it is not rational to reason with the irrational person. It is not rational to build a society based on multiculturalism, diversity. What could be plainer in human history than the fact that strife, wars and genocides happen at social boundaries? It is equally irrational to attempt to promote social harmony by seeking to privilege all cultural variability that is different from or antagonistic to the dominant culture. And what can you say regarding the primitive blood guilt assumptions obvious in holding contemporary whites accountable for crimes of their ancestors? These are what Major Mike calls “tribal” in the Democrats political use of minorities, of identity politics.
Any rational person might well conclude that these are not the tactics for building a society, but for destroying one. I’ve seen some families where chronic illness develops, and the afflicted, weaker member absolutely tyranizes over the stronger members. How can you refuse to minister to the weak and infirm? There is no defense against that tyranny except one: other members in the family start getting sick. They begin to have allergies, migraines, upset stomachs, mystery pains, and so on. Minorities are advertised by the politically correct Democrats as quivering sensitives who cannot bear a glimpse of a Confederate flag, a religious display or symbol, and a panopoly of forbidden words. They feel “offended” which, in their sensitive state, must be on the order of a ruptured appendix given the flood of protective legislation our politicians have proposed. On the other hand, there is no expression too vile to be bourne by the dominant white culture. How long, confronted by this devastating infirmity in our family midst, before we get sick? Ah, but there’s the rub, isn’t it. We aren’t family and the Democrat politicians don’t want us whites as such. They have their groups and the best we can be is useful idiots who help them destroy the country.
Mar 14, 2008 - 5:05 pm David K.:Sam, do reconsider before you drift off into endless melancholia like some despairing Titanic passenger simply letting go. What rot and which saboteurs & parasites have you in such a deathless grip? I don’t know which grieves me more– the whining Jeremiahs of doom and self-flagellation on the Left or the paralyzed grumblers on the Right. Two houses down the street a young neighbor is back from Iraq and registering for college; up the street is a retiree who tutors troubled high school kids. Those people are actually DOing something and hopefully represent the majority of us.
Sam, would you really put a torch to the whole thing? Get a grip.
Mar 14, 2008 - 6:00 pm Wally:Hello Dr. Hanson,
I spent some time in Lemoore while in the service and obviously became somewhat familiar with Fresno. I am also a small grower and share your concerns, both with regards to farming and with where our country is heading.
Politically I do not believe that we will soon be turning our country around in such a manner that would seriously address your points of concern. I think so many of us are awaiting organized active leadership in order to demonstrate our concerns and stop this downward momentum. The concern shown regarding the immigration legislation was a signal to what is festering for lack of an organized outlet.
There are many folks out here who share the same feelings and see the same pitfalls as you do and we cringe as you do. However, many of us do not have the clout as do you and many others in your position with similar voice
I think this country can be turned around but it will take like minded people like you and fellow conservatives to get organized first and you can bet many of us out here are anxiously awaiting that leadership.
Our current politicians have lost their way. It is pathetic to see our country dissolve into a service orientated, open boarders welfare capital.
I Hope we do get the Right leadership for Change.
Respectfully,
W.Liese
Mar 14, 2008 - 8:39 pm Sam Norton:Holley, NY
You’re being unfair on the Archbishop - if you read his whole lecture (here: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/1575) you’ll discover he’s actually undermining multiculturalism too.
Mar 15, 2008 - 11:35 am Consul-At-Arms:I’ve quoted you and linked to you here: http://consul-at-arms.blogspot.com/2008/03/re-lord-multiculturalism-ode-to-orchard.html
Mar 16, 2008 - 12:45 am