Could multiculturalism be on its way out at the New York Times? Yesterday, one columnist extolled classically Western Hellenic values over those of historical Judaism. Today, another columnist flatly asserts that freedom is "a distinctive product of Western civilization."
In the subscription-required God's Gift, Harvard sociology professor Orlando Patterson criticizes the Bush administration for formulating its Iraq policy on the "erroneous assumption . . . that freedom is a natural part of the human condition."
Continued Patterson: "A basic flaw in the approach of the president and his neoliberal (a k a neoconservative) advisers was their failure to distinguish Western beliefs about freedom from those critical features of it that non-Western peoples were likely to embrace."
Concludes the professor:
"Those of us who cherish liberty hold as part of the rhetoric that it is 'written in our heart,' an essential part of our humanity. It is among the first civic lessons that we teach our children. But such legitimizing rhetoric should not blind us to the fact that freedom is neither instinctive nor universally desired, and that most of the world’s peoples have found so little need to express it that their indigenous languages did not even have a word for it before Western contact. It is, instead, a distinctive product of Western civilization, crafted through the centuries from its contingent social and political struggles and secular reflections, as well as its religious doctrines and conflicts."
Wow! May the liberal ears of the New York Times and the MSM at large hear the good professor's words. If indeed freedom and liberty are not universal values, but distinct creations of Western civilization, the ramifications are sweeping. Patterson focuses on foreign policy here. But the implications are stunning for everything from education to immigration policy to the bankrupt moral relativism of multiculturalism.
How did this one make it past the editor? Or is there a sea change afoot at the Gray Lady?
Finkelstein visited Iraq last month. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Multiculturalism?
December 19, 2006 - 09:53 ET by econ 101???
I think its funny that all this talk about "FREEDOM" is coming from a PROF living and working in country based on freedom.
Would the correct statement be that his statement is IRONIC?
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MERRY CHRISTMAS...because I believe
FOX NEWS is news. MSM is Jerry Springer crap
Harvard
December 19, 2006 - 10:04 ET by iveseenitallSo this is what Harvard has come to. Is Patterson one of the "slavery wasn't so bad" crowd? A first grader could win a debate with this clown. Affirmative Action in action, folks.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
With respect, I think you a
December 19, 2006 - 10:34 ET by Mark FinkelsteinWith respect, I think you are perhaps being unfair to Patterson. He is in fact extolling Western civilization. Whether the desire for freedom is an inherent human trait can be debated, but shouldn't we applaud a Harvard sociology professor of all people standing up for the superiority of Western values?
Enemy
December 19, 2006 - 11:00 ET by iveseenitallI think he's making the "we have to 'understand' our enemy" argument. Not all people believe what WE believe, therefore...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Not A New Idea
December 19, 2006 - 10:54 ET by Wonder95This idea certainly isn't new. I just got a book by Rodney Stark that addresses this exact issue; The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led To Freedom, Capitalism, and Success. It lays out the whole idea that Christianity is what led to the growth and success that Western society has had since the first century after Christ.
flextime or sickday
December 19, 2006 - 11:03 ET by gtinessI'd say the editor was working flextime or out sick.
freedom is neither instinct
December 19, 2006 - 11:03 ET by pbanks7freedom is neither instinctive nor universally desired,
I guess we should tell that to the Japanese, South Koreans, and the Taiwanese. They might be interested to know that we forced freedom and democracy upon them, and want to give it back.
Ignorance is bliss. It's easier to repeat a mindless slogan than to do some actual research.
freedom is neither instinct
December 19, 2006 - 11:03 ET by pbanks7freedom is neither instinctive nor universally desired,
I guess we should tell that to the Japanese, South Koreans, and the Taiwanese. They might be interested to know that we forced Western democracy and freedom upon them, and want to give it back.
Ignorance is bliss. It's easier to repeat a mindless slogan than to do some actual research.
Sooooo, Mr. Professor guy, am
December 19, 2006 - 11:17 ET by bassndudeSooooo, Mr. Professor guy, am I to take it that the people in the east prefer to live in slavery? Under some brutal dictator like say, Idi Amin Dada? Why dont you check with your people there and find out. Then get back to me, uh?
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
bass - I decided to read comm
December 19, 2006 - 12:02 ET by FastEdbass - I decided to read comments before posting and you expressed my very thoughts. Let us celebrate this guy's thinking and now put to rest, forever, those ideas of reparations. Let's not have a cow everytime sombody sees a Confederate battle flag.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
I must say that I tend to som
December 19, 2006 - 11:30 ET by Dave RI must say that I tend to somewhat agree with the perfesser's assertion that freedom is a product of Western civilation, which is all the more reason why that (our) civilization must be protected from domination by the Islamic barbarian horde (the enemy without) as well as their liberal allies (the enemy within.) If, of course, that is what it all comes down to.
Sadly, I believe that it will.
Freedom
December 19, 2006 - 12:25 ET by BarberianI think where the Prof goes astray is that:
1. Western philosophy coupled with Christianity enabled the concept of freedom to be realized and the cornerstone of a free society, aka the U.S.A.
2. Man has an inherit desire to be free, past civilizations stifled such desires. The fact that "Freedom" did not exist in other languages only means that the leaders of those civilizations did not allow it to exist.
Also Dave R., could you refrain from using the term Islamic in association with barbarian. I think the barberians would even be offended.
Okay, B, I'll be sure and st
December 19, 2006 - 12:32 ET by Dave ROkay, B, I'll be sure and stick to just Islamic horde from now on. Besides, it is Christmas, after all.
So thoughtful!
December 19, 2006 - 12:38 ET by BarberianActually Islamic murderous horde would do just fine!
Thank-you and Have a Very Merry Christmas
It's not about multiculturali
December 19, 2006 - 11:38 ET by mattmIt's not about multiculturalism going out of fashion, it's about the tyrannical nature of Liberalism. The idea that freedom is merely a Western invention is purely an arrogant Liberal doctrine. "Freedom can only be entrusted to the enlightened elite ruling class (including college professors) who get to decide everything for everyone else." This is why so many Liberals love Dictators like Castro, Chavez and Kim Jong Il.
But, what if he's right???? What if freedom isn't a basic human instinct? Wouldn't that mean that U.S. Imperialism would be a GOOD thing? And doesn't that mean that, as long as we make sure they have food, clothing, shelter and a few of life's simple pleasures, we have every right to rule over them and tell them how to live???
In the book of Genesis, Adam
December 19, 2006 - 11:58 ET by Senior ChiefIn the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve were obviously not Jewish and certainly don't belong to ANY civilization. They have choices to either ignore the serpent or obey God's admonition not to eat the fruit of the tree...With choices afforded to them, they choose to be "free" from the bondage of God. Freedom is not taught. It's an inherent God-given characteristics of human beings.
I think I like you Senior Chief
December 19, 2006 - 12:02 ET by econ 101MERRY CHRISTMAS to you Senior Chief.
Because... I believe
A time for choosing
http://www.reaganfou...
FOX NEWS is news. MSM is Jerry Springer crap
Merry, Merry Christmas to you
December 19, 2006 - 14:03 ET by Senior ChiefMerry, Merry Christmas to you too and also to your family, econ. When all of this come to pass, and when the right time comes, God will prevail. Just like when Jesus was born more than two thousand years ago. But for the meantime, we're all free to choose...to believe the professor or God. To be free from the slavery of sin, or to believe that sin can enslave us with no choice to get out.
For some reason, the follow
December 19, 2006 - 12:08 ET by sarcasmoFor some reason, the following ancient passage comes to mind...
JMR
?
December 19, 2006 - 12:38 ET by UnsaneAre you Libertarian..or Anarchist? :-)
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy." -Sir Winston Churchill, British statesman (1874-1965)
Well it must be true, profess
December 19, 2006 - 12:04 ET by jdhawkWell it must be true, professor. After all, can you name me one nation in Africa, the home of your ancestors, where there is freedom? Obviously, they are far and few between.
By the way, what have "you people" been doing in this country for the last several hundred years, but yearning and then, finally fighting for your freedom. But, I guess that is different. Right . . .