Reply #14: They're savages [View All]

[cynatnite]

The term 'savages' was used to describe a culture the white man did not understand. How they lived, who and how they worshiped, raised their families, etc. The concept was foreign to anyone who didn't live their way.

I do believe much of it is the same with the Middle East. The protests there are way different than this country. The culture is so foreign and we see and hear disturbing stereotypical behavior we don't understand which only fuels even more fear between the Middle East and western civilization.

They believe differently, they raise their children differently and their society in many respects are so foreign to us that many may consider the Middle East savage. They fight differently than us and can justify it just as we do. Sometimes it seems like we're trying to force them to be like us.

I do wish there was more understanding than fear. When someone is born in the Middle Eastern culture it is the women, the mothers, who see this new life in. When they die, it is the men who sees the life out. I never used to understand this before. I wondered why the women were not allowed at funerals. I understand and respect it.

Native American culture was nearly wiped out when we did this. Aspects of Native American culture was cruel. The Apache used to chop the noses from their women's face if it was judged adultery had been committed. In many respects their culture was rigid with no room for anything but their way. Tribes kept slaves and the treatment of wives and slaves was barbaric.

How barbaric was our own culture? How barbaric is our culture today? How can we say we are better than them?

Change must come from within. If we force change on them to our way of thinking it threatens to destroy the very fabric of their society. They have a beautiful culture and a religion that binds them to who they are. I believe we have a duty as humans to understand them and learn from them. I hope they can from us.

Right now it's stereotypes and propaganda which separates us. This lack of understanding while we occupy and take their land has cost lives. While this ignorant administration spouts 'they hate our freedoms' they may very well be saying 'they hate our religion, they hate us, they want to kill us'. Perhaps the Native Americans said the same thing as they were being slaughtered.