Lately class has left me slightly frustrated. I do not agree with many of the opinions on the topics we have been discussing, but have not been up to arguing my points (bad excuse, I know). Two such issues that I have issues with are Orientalism and imperialism. I do not necessarily agree with a positive view toward Orientalism or imperialism. But I also will not discount all of the positive aspects that I have heard about either in my previous years of study. I will not discredit everything good that the “West” along with the bad. I think it is very easy for us to get carried away with our own opinions, especially as passionate students, and begin to regard them as fact. But I will not take other’s opinions as my own without critical consideration.
I also have an issue with the idea that the majority of people in the US believe we should support Israel and that the majority villainize the Palestinians and Arabs. Everywhere around me, I constantly hear the opposite: I hear people saying how the US has showed undue support for Israel. I also hear many people feel incredibly guilty the instant they hear anything about the American media or people misrepresenting and/or villainizing the Palestinians and/or Arabs (even if they personally have done nothing wrong). Now maybe these views are prevalent because I am frequently on campus, and students have vastly different viewpoints than previous American generations. But just the same, I hear both sides of these two issues constantly being represented. If these views can be linked to conservatism and liberalism, I think it is safe to say that liberalism seems to be increasing in numbers, while conservatism is decreasing.
I say all of this because we definitely began to delve into some politics last class period. I am in know way saying that we should villainize the Arabs. I am personally very conservative, but do not think we should villainize other human beings. But I enjoy Dr. Webb’s class because he permits open discussion is happy when we do not all agree!
Ps- I thought the little cartoon was hilarious!!!
I think you might feel this way (about liberal views increasing) because you're on an Uni campus. Also, you're in an upper level class in which people dare to speak up. I think with an unique major as yours, you might run into more liberal groups. I don't know, but lets say you were a business or management major, you might run into more conservative people. Just a theory.
ReplyDeleteWhat motivated you to go into Arabic Studies?