I don't stand by what I am about to say, these thoughts came quickly.
Racism is wrong, stereotypes are wrong, collective treatment is wrong. Even if I am an apologist for the pragmatic deviations from these standards the ideal behaviour is clear. But what is racism, because I don't mean the colour of the skin, this is just a too convenient clue to the region of origin. If an Indian looking man speaks with a British accent he is British. This is about culture.
For a moment, I have a dream. I don't accept the cultures of other nations, and don't follow the general 'quaint tradition' acceptance that seems to prevail. It's damning, but I call the modern homogenisation of the culture of young people in the world progress. I return to cultural imperialism, but with a wider we. I believe in a global humanity. It shouldn't matter which country someone originates from. The idea that the culture of the young loses some of the unique elements of the parents culture in each region is not a problem. People are freer than their parents. For a second I'm not even going to give fair time to cultures which rely on arranged marriages. I don't give time to the caste system of India. These are wrong, the traditions are outdated, their smothering is progress. Forget divorce rates in the west, people are free to change their lives as they see fit and not compelled by law to live with abusive husbands. Forget vain societies manipulated by fashion and glamour and populated by self important victims of eating disorders. Temporarily ignore the ongoing struggles against sexism which occur internationally. This is relative progress. A fair person might say that cultural standards should not be imposed. Slavoj Žižek says that this imposition of the moral framework is the most violent intrusion a society could make. But for a second lets accept I, we, are right. Women should have equal rights. Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Trans should have equal rights. Skin colour shouldn't be the basis of the judgement of a person. Nobody should live in slavery, or effective economic slavery. Honesty and altruism are virtues.... and that it is right to hold all of these up as standards by which to measure the progress of other cultures.
It is Indian women in India protesting about the culture of rape and sexual violence. And what if I am not shy to call it as it is, this is what progress looks like.
Imagine.
Racism is wrong, stereotypes are wrong, collective treatment is wrong. Even if I am an apologist for the pragmatic deviations from these standards the ideal behaviour is clear. But what is racism, because I don't mean the colour of the skin, this is just a too convenient clue to the region of origin. If an Indian looking man speaks with a British accent he is British. This is about culture.
For a moment, I have a dream. I don't accept the cultures of other nations, and don't follow the general 'quaint tradition' acceptance that seems to prevail. It's damning, but I call the modern homogenisation of the culture of young people in the world progress. I return to cultural imperialism, but with a wider we. I believe in a global humanity. It shouldn't matter which country someone originates from. The idea that the culture of the young loses some of the unique elements of the parents culture in each region is not a problem. People are freer than their parents. For a second I'm not even going to give fair time to cultures which rely on arranged marriages. I don't give time to the caste system of India. These are wrong, the traditions are outdated, their smothering is progress. Forget divorce rates in the west, people are free to change their lives as they see fit and not compelled by law to live with abusive husbands. Forget vain societies manipulated by fashion and glamour and populated by self important victims of eating disorders. Temporarily ignore the ongoing struggles against sexism which occur internationally. This is relative progress. A fair person might say that cultural standards should not be imposed. Slavoj Žižek says that this imposition of the moral framework is the most violent intrusion a society could make. But for a second lets accept I, we, are right. Women should have equal rights. Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Trans should have equal rights. Skin colour shouldn't be the basis of the judgement of a person. Nobody should live in slavery, or effective economic slavery. Honesty and altruism are virtues.... and that it is right to hold all of these up as standards by which to measure the progress of other cultures.
It is Indian women in India protesting about the culture of rape and sexual violence. And what if I am not shy to call it as it is, this is what progress looks like.
Imagine.
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