Are you U or non-U? By which I mean, are you a universalist or a relativist? Forget left and right; the defining political divide of the global era is between those who believe that some moral rights and freedoms ought to be universal and those who argue that each culture to its own. This new frontline of contemporary debate runs across issues as diverse as race, faith, multiculturalism, feminism, gay rights, freedom of speech and foreign policy. In each instance, the argument eventually comes down to whether you have a universalist or relativist view of the world.
Universalists argue that certain rights and protections - freedom of speech, democracy, the rule of law - are common or, at least, should be available to all people. Relativists maintain that different cultures have different values and that it's impossible to say that one system or idea is better than another and, moreover, it's racist to try.
What's your feeling about clitoridectomy and the stoning to death of women adulterers? a) misogynistic; b) that's a racist question; c) empowering.
Freedom of speech? a) the basis of all other freedoms; b) you support it but only if you agree with what's being said and there's no such thing as complete freedom of speech, anyway, so what's wrong with even less? c) shut up or I'll cut your head off.
What do you think of secularism? a) the only system that protects all faiths equally without allowing any to dominate; b) Iraq was secular and look what happened to it; c) a disgusting insult to the will of God.
Indefinite detention without trial? a) never acceptable; b) not acceptable when the Americans do it; c) acceptable if the hostages are Westerners.
Should individuals be able to do what they want, as long as it doesn't harm anyone else? a) yes; b) people don't know what they want, they've been brainwashed by the corporate media; c) everything godless is harmful.
Are all cultures equal? a) no, they sanction varying degrees of freedom, equality, opportunity, security and diversity; b) no, Western democracy is by far the worst; c) no, the Jews have all the power.
Gay rights? a) homosexuals should enjoy the same rights and freedoms as heterosexuals; b) gay rights should not be a shibboleth that prevent politically expedient alliances with reactionary homophobes; c) they have the right to be thrown off roofs and crushed under walls.
OK, let's total up your score. If you got six or more As, you are a U, an unapologetic universalist; say after me, there is no race but the human race. If you got six or more Bs, you are non-U, have you thought about joining the Respect party? If you got six or more Cs - U, non-U, what a load of decadent nonsense - you know the Truth.That was taken from Anthony Brown's Comment in The Guardian, via Harry's Place
7 comments:
I've been thinking recently that we need to write essays explaining why Western Civilization is absolutely the best on Earth. And, we need to explain what a tragedy it would be for all the guys, minorities and women, if the West is lost.
This multiculturalismpostmodernist thing has to stop. We live in times when we can not afford the luxury of such foolishness.
Of course, the terms "cultural relativism" and "moral relativism" have been co-opted by the mainstream and taken quite out of the context in which they were coined and originally written about. One can be both at the same time, as most early Anthropologists were (that they have ceased to be is an academic tragedy, but that's another rant). Being a Universalist seems to be rather what moral relativism used to be, while culrural relativism has taken on a tone that is not the detatched tone it once had. It's pretty obvious where I stand, nonetheless, and I never deline from calling evil evil to its face as anyone who has read my posts knows.
With lovely euphony and style abounding like agile gazelles, I write daily on fascist Islam and Left dhimmi fascism. For those with the time and patience I welcome rigourous critique of the posts I post.
Again today I will write more on philobarbarism.
I am also shockingly pretty. Yes, that would be in your relative sense of the meaning.
Universalist all the way! :)
Unapologised Universalist my friends
Universalist here.
Uh, I meant universalist.
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