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May 03, 2006
Respecting assimilation (and dissing multiculturalism)
The Philadelphia Inquirer's Trudy Rubin is not someone with whom I often agree. But in her editorial today, she has it right when she sees assimilation as the key to successful immigration: One of the most articulate critics of Europe's immigration policy, especially toward Muslim immigrant communities, spoke this week in Philadelphia at a conference on Islam and the West sponsored by the World Affairs Council. Aayan Hirsi Ali is an elegant, Somalia-born member of the Dutch parliament who always travels with bodyguards because she is under constant death threat. The reason: her strong critique of radical Islam and the European policies that help it grow.Assimilation is the enemy of Islamic radicalism. I'd go a little further and say that multiculturalism is best ally of Islamic radicalism, but I realize there are limits to what can be said in an editorial column. The piece also touched on the Muhammad cartoons, and misplaced tolerance -- i.e. tolerance of intolerance: Until recently, this effort at tolerance led policymakers to ignore the serious problems within some of their Muslim communities - from the preachings of radical imams to repression of women to the teaching of radical Islamist ideas to children.Unlike most European countries, this country was founded by people who were acutely aware of a recent past which included the Inquisition, witch hunts, burning "heretics" to death, and truly awful culture wars fought in the name of various religions. In our country, laws "respecting an establishment of religion" are off limits. A government that can't require respect can't stop disrespect either. (Submission is of course an extreme form of respect. . .) posted by Eric on 05.03.06 at 08:08 AM
Comments
Coercion is the sword to cut the Gordian knots the multicultaralist have tied us in. Hark · May 3, 2006 07:13 PM On the one hand, I would agree that assimilation is an important tool in creating an effective immigration policy. At the same time, however, I would argue that approaching incoming immigrants with a tolerant, multicultural perspective is an underrated key to ensuring effective assimiliation. Hence the term, "melting pot." I have nothing against immigrants to the U.S. assimilating some of our cultural values. After all, nobody values the principles of our Constitution more than I. However, still allowing a little cultural freedom of movement within the host culture keeps people feeling respected and values as newcomers to our society. I think that we as a culture can learn much from those who arrive here from distant shores, and in so doing, work to create a constantly growing and improving America. Too much ranting about "the national soul" or "the browning of America" can be dangerous, as it sends the message that we are exclusionist and xenophobic. As a nation built upon acceptance of people from all backgrounds and walks of life, such a perspective is in direct contradiction to what I believe are the REAL traditional American values: Fairness, equality, opportunity, and compassion for our fellow human beings. Just my thoughts. Good post though. *Shrug* just my thoughts. Freeman · May 4, 2006 05:20 AM |
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"The piece also touched on the Muhammad cartoons, and misplaced tolerance -- i.e. tolerance of intolerance:"
I don't think that's misplaced tolerance. Maybe we mean different things, though. Intolerance sans coercion MUST be tolerated, is what I'm thinking.
Which translates to bigots must be allowed to be bigoted BUT they must know that ALL people's rights must be respected. I'm taking it from the perspective of an individual's right to be a bigoted dick without the government using coercion to change his or/her behavior as long as he doesn't interfere with another' rights.
So no hate crimes etc.- just crimes.
But I don't know why I tend to use different definitions of the word tolerance when I read "intolerance must not be tolerated."
I'm translating it to tolerance sans coercion must be coercively ended. But why not translate it as intolerance with coercion must not be tolerated, though we shouldn't use coercion as a way to show it won't be tolerated? I have a headache now.
Here I go:
If intolerance is defined to include coercion we must be intolerant of it, that is use coercion to stop it.
If intolerance doesn't include coercion we must be tolerant of it, however.
Lol.