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January 09, 2009
Gaza Conflict Clarifies the Lure of Cultural Supremacy
As the events in Gaza have unfolded, I have found myself increasingly deeply conflicted. On the one hand, I believe Israel has a right – and responsibility – to stand up to Hamas. On the other hand, it is difficult to see “right” in the deaths of 700 virtually caged Palestinians, many of whom were children. Time has an excellent article on the conflict that seems to me to be as dispassionate as one can be about the unfolding tragedy on both sides of this ugly hate fest.
As I read the article earlier today, this statement stuck in my head, and as I've thought about it, it has brought some clarity to issues we have been facing right here at home:
...[O]minous for many Israelis is a ticking demographic time bomb: the likelihood that Arabs will vastly outnumber Jews in the land stretching from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean is a catastrophic prospect for a nation that defines itself by its faith.
Is not the fear of a slow take-over via population growth the same sentiment behind the anti-Mexican voices we have been hearing so much in recent years? In fact, it has only been a couple of months since USA Today threw many Americans into a tizzy when it published an article saying that by 2047, members of the Caucasian race will be in the minority in the U.S. The changing demographics not only concern those of the white persuasion; other races who are losing political ground to Hispanics are also concerned.
If any of us could truly see all human beings as equal and all ways of life as equally valid, then this development would be absolutely no big deal. But if we're being honest with ourselves, we will admit that each of us does, in fact, believe our way is the best way and worthy of advancement. Yes, the truth is people generally want to impose their own way on others; ergo, whoever is the strongest can and will make the other conform. To a very real degree you can count on the “my way or the highway” mentality to be present and well-accounted for in virtually any conflict between human beings.
Thus, the concerns here in the U.S. about the so-called “Mexican Invasion” are really not so much a fear of “brown people” as they are a fear of loss of our culture - of our way of life as Americans.
I have also come to believe that it is a fear of the loss of culture that is at the root of the extreme antagonism of conservative Americans toward liberal Americans - who, incidentally, are equally convinced their way is the best and ought to be dominant.
Nothing highlights the motivating power of cultural domination more in my opinion than the recent presidential election. Had Barack Obama been more culturally “black,” he would not have been a palatable choice for dominant white America, who, thankfully, is increasingly able to look past differences in skin color. Thus, we were able to elect someone who shared the traditions and approach to life that feel "American" to the majority of us despite race. On the other hand, even white America could not bring itself to vote for Mitt Romney because his religion made him too culturally different from the majority Christian-influenced mainstream culture.
I believe the pressures in the Middle East will only continue to grow as the demographics change. And it will take a demographic solution to stop the mutual slaughter. One side will, by one means or another, have to finally, totally dominate the other by sheer force of numbers.
We can all be grateful that the cultural differences between our slow "invaders" from south of the border and Americans in general are not so great as those dividing the practitioners of Islam and Judaism in the Middle East today.
Posted by Becky at January 9, 2009 02:31 PM
