The Gap Between Us

I guess because of our history of people coming from all over the world to settle in The United States, we don't always know much about other areas of the world. That might sound contradictory, but it really isn't. Many folks came to these shores to escape dictatorship, oppression, religious persecution, economic ills, or some other suffering in their own land. Just think, it has to take something pretty bad to make people want to leave the land of their birth. I think that's probably why many, when they got here, tried hard to become Americans. Perhaps later, they thought of the ways of their homeland. In fact, I don't recall where I heard this, but I've heard it more than once, that immigrants frequently (but certainly not always) tried to make sure that their children were totally American, but when it came to their grandchildren, they began to talk and teach them about their country or region of origin. And we Americans like to celebrate our various ethnic heritages, but we always remember that we're Americans first.

If I remember correctly, maybe a decade or so ago, when asked to give a location for Ireland, something like a fifth of American children thought it was in the Pacific. And this was about Ireland, where Americans celebrate St. Patrick's Day like it was OUR holiday! We aren't great about the details of other places in the world.

Now, when it comes to much of the Muslim world, the average American knows even less. Before, it seemed almost unnecessary, but with increasing violence in the past decade, culminating in the 9/11 attacks, that part of the world has become front and center to us. Like college students who waited to the last day to study for their finals, we are now forced to "cram" for a very important exam. So far, we haven't gotten the knowledge to pass. I'm not much into a lot of conspiracy theories, so I won't dwell on how we got into Iraq, but the fact is we're there, and a further fact is, we were not prepared to be there. Winning the war on Saddam was not difficult, nor was it terribly painful for us. Winning the peace and stabilizing the country seems to be a mission without end, but with endless pain. To me, it is because we didn't understand where we were going. After numerous reasons for our invasion, the Administration settled on establishing a "democratic" Iraq. That appeals to most Americans, and in many ways, the overall strategy seemed to be right; a democratic Iraq could help change the entire Middle East. Turning blueprints into reality is something else.

A number of years ago, The Food Network had some shows about life and food in the Middle East, and in Morocco and Algeria, I believe. While there were several different countries involved, they all shared many cultural similarities, especially the Muslim faith. Now, I'm NOT trying to play stereotypes here, but many scenes featured foods being cooked on stones, and grains being pounded into flour with rocks by the woman/women of the household. On any given weekend, Americans like to go camping so we can "rough it," although even then, we have to have a portable TV, a radio, a CD player, and any one of a number of computerized gadgets to send and read emails, or to connect to the Net. There aren't too many of us really willing to "rough it" anymore. Yet, in many countries, and NOT just in the Middle East or North Africa, a fairly significant segment of the population "rough it" every day; it is their way of life. I'm not putting it down. But it does begin to show the divide we have with many folks around the world. We look at them as kind of "primitive," and they can't even imagine what we're like, except that we seem to be threatening their beliefs with women's rights, gay rights, sex education, etc.

As folks settled America, some wandered into the backwoods and into the mountains where they stayed for generations. When "civilization" came to their parts, there was "culture clash." It is still going on to this day, but is just less obvious to most. I hope all of you have seen one of the great Tarzan films with Johnny Weissmuller, "Tarzan's New York Adventure." Talk about "culture clash!" As Tarzan looks out the window of the plane hovering over New York City, he views the "jungle" down below; a jungle of tall buildings. He asks Jane about it. She says that in civilization people live that way. He asks why, and she says, "So they can get things done faster." Tarzan asks why, and she says ,"To save time." Tarzan again asks, "To save time? Why?" Jane then says something to the effect that all the scribes in the world haven't figured that one out. People in many "westernized" countries lead pretty fast lives. We want things quickly, and we jump from one fad to another. In many of the Middle Eastern/North African countries, life is much slower. Many folks don't own a lot, and they don't expect much. I suppose there aren't many fads to capture their attention either. They have by their very way of life something we pretty much lack, patience. Lest we forget, the planning for 9/11 took bin Laden and associates 5 to 7 years. Can you imagine Americans taking that long to plan anything? We'd lose interest after a few months, if not a few weeks.

Did you hear the story from last week, where Christian and Muslim religious leaders sponsored a soccer game to show unity. It was in Europe (I think it was in perhaps Sweden. I hear things on the radio while I'm working, and the basic story sticks with me, but the details get sketchy.) Anyway, come game time, the Muslims refused to play, because the Christian team had women on it. So much for any unity. It's a small story, but it points up the difficulties that exist. If we can't agree about a soccer game, how can we agree about bigger issues?

One other important thing, in my opinion: Many of these countries have not had many human rights' laws. They have been ruled by dictators of some sort, or by colonial powers. Some have managed to gradually bring in the force of law, but in many cases, the force of law is that of ancient times, and the law of "might makes right." Let me tell you, this is NOT going to change any time soon. It will take a long time, just as it did in westernized countries. American-style democracy developed in increments, it just didn't happen when the Constitution was ratified, and we still argue about the details of our democracy.

To me, there is something of a "civil war," not only in Iraq, but within Islam itself. Iraq "may" be the crucible, the Stalingrad-like battle that tips the advantage one way or the other. On one side, there are those Muslims who want the religion to be modernized, at least to some extent. On the other hand, there are those who want Muslims to live under the religious beliefs from centuries ago. Let's hope the reformers make progress...sooner, rather than later.

Hey, I've gotta run! I have to find a good smooth stone to cook my flat bread.