Culture Clash

The events of the past week have been a disturbing reminder of the fragile world in which we now live.  Even as we attempt to heal from the still-fresh memory of a terrorist disaster, we are thrust anew into the center of a cultural maelstrom, defending our country’s freedoms in the wake of a perceived American attack on Muslim values. 

With these headlines as a backdrop, I attended a lecture by a US Navy Seal Commander who has been active in the Middle East, and was on the ground in Pakistan during the take down of Osama bin Laden.  His discussion of Navy Seal training was fascinating, as were his remarkably candid comments about recent events in Libya and Egypt, where he was itchy to see us respond with an iron fist.  He talked about the growing dangers in Yemen and Somalia.  He spoke about the role that journalism plays in fanning the fires of resentment overseas.  He believes that in most countries where we see anti-American protests, the majority are pro-America.  Just like in our country, he says, the extremists dominate the airwaves. 

At another banquet, I sat next to a woman who had just returned from a trip to Africa with a dozen women.  There, she met with women activists in Kenya who told of ongoing female mutilations despite being banned by the Kenyan government in 2010.  These radical traditional practices (leaving girls without a trace of genitalia) continue to be forced upon girls—now as young as age 12—in order to make them "fit" for marriage.    This tragedy is not unique to the remote areas of Kenya; such practices are widespread across Africa and areas of the Middle East.

While these two conversations were unrelated, they left me thinking about the extent to which we Americans are oblivious to many of the rituals and practices that define the lifestyles of other cultures.  The growing acts of violence against Americans by terrorists—abhorrent as they are—are borne out of a growing hatred for American lifestyles.  The way our culture is represented in our films, our literature, on You-Tube, and in the media is now widely accessible across the globe.  Our lives and lifestyles are sometimes considered disruptive to the traditions of other established societies.   Whereas we may criticize our leaders openly, other nations view such practices as treasonous.  American women—who have Constitutional rights, opportunities, and control of their own bodies—live in sharp contrast to norms in other societies, particularly in those where poor treatment of women is defended as religiously dictated.  This culture clash is the unintended consequence of the technology age, of the global economy, and of the splintered media. 

Is it important for us to ask to what extent are our liberties and hard-fought rights are interpreted as insensitive, blasphemous, and even treasonous by others?  Exposed on the world stage, we are open to scrutiny by the global reach of our own inventions. The reaction in Libya and Egypt to the film clip is a case in point.  We defend our freedom of expression, yet the act of making "that film" is viewed as typical American aggression on the streets of the Middle East.  Can we begin to understand the depth of the wound that the film has caused to some Muslims?  Without a doubt, the attack on the embassy in Libya was an indefensible act of extreme violence.  But as we demand angry retribution, shouldn’t we also be careful not to punish a nation for the acts of a few?

Freedom of speech is a double-edged sword.  We guard closely our ability to speak our minds, but we should not forget that we bear responsibility for our actions.  Free speech is not a free pass.  It is intended to enlighten us as individuals and to elevate us as a nation.  But like anything else, when you use it as a weapon there are consequences.  Although the courts have worked to protect free speech, more and more so-called acts of expression (such as painting a Swastika on a synagogue) cross the line into “hate crimes.”  I find it the height of un-Americanism to hide behind free speech while attacking others for their beliefs or differences.  With free expression comes a moral obligation to listen and learn with tolerance.  That notwithstanding, we must push on, both directly and indirectly, to expose and fight heinous violations of human rights.  It is not an easy task to stay on moral high ground.

These are difficult times.  We have been attacked as Americans and we need to fight back in ways that send a clear message:  we do not tolerate acts of violence and terrorism.  On the other hand, we also need to take a look at our own behavior and ask whether we have been good citizens of the world.  We should not be so arrogant as to think that the rights we enjoy are every nation’s goal, or that others are waiting for us to liberate them with a copy of our Constitution in one hand and a Big Mac in the other.  We have a lot to learn about how and why other cultures do what they do.  Not everyone who holds different values or religious beliefs is a terrorist.  More than ever before, it is difficult to do the right thing.