What a difference a year makes.
The year 2001 seemed to be the beginning of something new and exciting; the new millennium had gone into full swing (or just begun for the purists) and it seemed more appropriate to worry more about small scraps of paper than Afghanistan.
If the music for the dawning of 2001 seemed to be the booming notes of Strauss (think 2001: A Space Odyssey), 2002's seemed to be more of a subdued "God Bless America" sung quietly to oneself. Not since 1942 has a year proven more fundamentally different than its predecessor.
Comfortable America had to grow up quickly as 200 years of mainland invulnerability melted away into a dangerous reality. The preoccupations of the past with scandal and divisive rhetoric were quickly discarded and we soon found the kind of unity of thought and purpose that comes when groups of people seek to defend themselves from mortal threat.
I believe that along the way, we also learned what many have been advocating for years -- that ideas have consequences. The ideologies and teachings of all cultures east, west or whatever all have important implications for the world around us and, perhaps most importantly, these ideas are not created equally.
For years, students have been taught not just tolerance for the various idiosyncrasies of other cultures, but also the notion that civilizations are essentially all the same, coequal in virtue and well meaning at the core. This moral equivalency does a service to no party in the competition of civilizations; it almost universally derides Western Civilization, which is possibly the most successful ordering of society, and tends to patronize other cultures by not taking their shortcomings and failures seriously.
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Indeed, the overlooking of the real faults of the non-West has led to a new, subtler racism based not on undeserved charges of inferiority, but rather an undeserved showering of praise, in effect saying that "everything you do is fine with us, we just won't take you seriously or hold you to an equal standard."
So, while Islamic civilization is almost bereft of democracy, economically stagnant (save for the extraction of oil) and socially backward, we are told by many that this is not an indication of failure or a sign of needed reform, but rather it is more likely due to the ignorance and meddling of the United States.
It is my sincere hope that such sentiments have been dealt a serious blow during the past few months as the medievalism of the Taliban has proved to be morally vacuous and politically insignificant in the face of determined Western opposition. Still, I rest assured that there will be those that continue to play the part of the apologist despite the events following Sept. 11.
The recent discrediting of relativism has also made its effect known on our campus, in the context of the Berthold incident. A division formed very quickly between those that believed he should be seriously punished (loss of job) and those that condemned his words while advocating some lesser punishment (the recent "disciplinary action" seems to be more akin to this second view). While it was fun to watch professors squirm and protest the mere thought that they might be held accountable for cheering on the murder of U.S. government personnel and the destruction of government property, it was also heartening to see that there was nearly universal denunciation of Berthold's comments.
The lack of sentiment of the "who are you to judge" variety and lack of defense of his actual words may be just an effect of the gravity of past events, but hopefully it is a permanent change. As the war against terror continues, a willingness to pass fair judgment and realize that not all ideas or elements of other cultures are of equal merit will be an essential key to final victory.
Speaking of changes, this is the first time that I have written for the Daily Lobo and I look forward to writing further columns for this important publication. Essential in good writing is feedback, and I welcome any and all of it.
Especially appreciated will be well thought out responses, be they supportive or of a more critical nature. Grammar and stylistic comment are also more than welcome in order to make this column a bit easier on the readership's eyes.
Whether you agree with me or not, I appreciate the privilege of sharing my thoughts with you.
Questions, comments or suggestions about Michael Carrasco's column may be sent to mjc_carrasco@hotmail.com.
