National Geographic
Before leaving the US, I read an issue of the National Geographic about Christians in the Middle East at my dentist's office (yes, some Arabs go to the dentist). It was condescending to Muslims and patronizing about Christians. It also said that basically, the Middle East needs the Christians because they soften the impact of Muslim fanaticism. AT one point, the writer shed crocodile tears over the plight of Christians because--he said--they are a force of "moderation" among the fanatic Muslims. Well, no one religious group has a monopoly on moderation or fanaticism. Just like Muslims can produce fanatics, so can Christians and Jews and others. I mean, some Lebanese Christians have made important contributions in fanaticism (religious and political).
--------
In Lebanon no one, NO ONE whether in his right mind or not, would question the role or the part or the legitimacy of Lebanese Christians! Hell, no one even questions the attribution of the presidency to a Maronite and if there are any, no one takes them the least seriously! And As'ad is right! The most irascible fanatics are the fascistic factions like the Phalanges (their slogan is the Nazi inspired "God,the Nation, the family!) and the Ahrar! They're a declared ultra nationalistic religious formations!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I read the article and did not come away with the same impression at all but I do not spend every waking moment of my life searching out real or imagined slights, so I might have missed it.
ReplyDeleteOf course there are fanatics in each religion. The fanatics are the ones causing most of the problems!
The idea is the pervasive nature of the slights, the culmination of which result in excusing anything at all being done to those who become the object of derision. What is does is snake its way from the "official" media sphere which religiously covers every nuance coming out of those in power until it enters the popular realm, a literal symphony of vilification.
ReplyDeleteIt is a well known fact that this activity being aimed at certain races feeds the perception - "well, we know what they are like here, so they must be much more of the same (whatever the portrayal) in their place of origin. So, it blesses wars and exploitation - after all it is just "those people."
It becomes the marriage agreement between Hollywood and the will of those in power, so they build an entire industry on the will of the exploiters. Oh, and we all know how "real" it is if it is on TV or in the movies, it is almost gospel to the mental junk food race. I could go on, but I think I've made the valid point (like all Arabs are terrorists, and all Africans are cannibal bush people) -
http://www.jsalloum.org/planet9a.mov
and 30 years ago -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTN3s2iVKKI
I know, v and you are probably right but some of that can get to be ridiculous. One cannot walk around through life bristling over every little thing. Eventually, you will just sound like a big whiner. If a had a dollar for every time Italians were implicity or explicitly associated with the Mafia and gangsters, I'd be a rich woman.
ReplyDeleteIs Italy or American Italians under deadly attack by the worlds most powerful force, dying daily, and under occupation? Or, are Italians under attack by the fourth most powerful force - killed, homes demolished, imprisoned on their own land? Until that is the case you have no right to give me a silly little snide remark about Italians and the Mafia, ok?
ReplyDeleteEnd of discussion, pal.
ReplyDeleteAh...I see
ReplyDeleteAh...I see, reality is a little bit to rough for you. Now give me a lecture about the "tone" of what I posted, it is the only way to escape the scalpel sharp edge of my point
ReplyDelete