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Commemorating 9-11: Blaming America, exonerating Islam
Posted: August 19, 2002
1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2002 WorldNetDaily.com
Michael Medved
Culture Clash
As we
approach the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, what should we teach
our children about the most devastating terrorist massacres in history?
According to recommendations provided by the nation's
largest teacher's union, the most
important points to emphasize involve the importance of "tolerance" and
"diversity." The National Education Association links its website to a
detailed list of "Tips for Parents and Schools Regarding the Anniversary of
Sept. 11, 2001," prepared by Dr. Brian Lippincott of John F. Kennedy
University in Orinda, Calif. Professor Lippincott insists that commemorative
programs must avoid any suggestion that Islamic fanaticism can be blamed for
the attacks, and that the most important way to protect ourselves from
future assaults is to embrace all religions and sexual orientations.
Actually, the "Key Messages" recommended in his paper for anniversary
celebrations include such politically correct nostrums as the declaration
that "Violence and hate are never solutions to anger" and "America is strong
because of our diversity," and "History shows us that intolerance only
causes harm." According to Professor Lippincott, the prime example of such
"intolerance" involves America's monstrous crimes against its own citizens.
"We must not repeat terrible mistakes," he writes, demanding discussion of
"historical instances of American intolerance. Internment of Japanese
Americans after Pearl Harbor and the backlash against Arab Americans during
the Gulf War are obvious examples."
Examples of what, precisely? Of America's unprecedented goodness and
generosity? Even at the height of the Gulf War (and, so far, during the War
on Terror), Arab Americans experienced no significant "backlash" –
continuing to enjoy full civil rights and to sustain the conspicuous success
that has characterized this hard-working ethnic group for nearly a century.
The NEA materials not only lie about past persecution of Islamic
Americans, but also offer a grotesque distortion of current world affairs.
Among the "Tips for Parents and Teachers," Lippincott suggests that we must
"Address the issue of blame factually … Do not suggest any group is
responsible." In other words, educators should avoid the implication
that al-Qaida and the worldwide network of Islamic fanatics had something to
do with the slaughter of Americans. "We have no reason to believe that the
attacks on our country were part of an organized plan of any other country,"
the curriculum materials insist. "The terrorists acted independently without
the sanctions of any nation."
What about Afghanistan, which welcomed Osama bin Laden as an "honored
guest"? What about Saudi Arabia, which continues to raise money through
telethons and the royal family to support international terrorism? What
about Iraq, which lavishly praised the 9-11 attacks as a heroic blow against
America?
According to the education establishment, we should avoid such unpleasant
observations because "protecting against harassment of our Arab American
classmates and neighbors is most critical right now. … We must embrace these
values toward all Americans for all time. This includes race, religions,
ethnicity, sexual orientation, and those with special needs."
Such
pronouncements might seem merely ludicrous and laughable were they not so
pathetically representative of the moral relativism that dominates elite
opinion less than a year after 9-11. America remains the most tolerant and
generous of nations, and incidents of persecution of Muslims and Arab
Americans remain blessedly rare and relatively mild. Nevertheless, the
relativists use paranoia over potential anti-Arab frenzy to stifle any
honest discussion of patently dangerous – and deadly – elements in Islamic
tradition.
Even the most cursory examination of the contemporary Muslim world would
reveal profound religious and cultural dysfunction, with abject poverty,
gross violation of human rights, and some of the most corrupt and vicious
dictatorships on earth. The National Education Association, however, insists
that teachers ignore these realities, because calling attention to them
might undermine the unquestionable assumption that no religious tradition is
more destructive, and no culture is more admirable, than others.
The most striking aspect of the materials promoted by the NEA involves
the utter absence of any patriotic or pro-American messages – indeed, the
only suggestion about emphasizing our history involves discussing
"historical instances of American intolerance." In this
"Alice-in-Wonderland" world of political correctness, we are supposed to
mark the Sept. 11 anniversary with no mention of the brave people in our
military who continue to risk their lives to protect our safety, and no hint
as to why American values under present assault might be worth preserving
and defending.
In the midst of World War II, a few Americans actively sympathized with
the enemy – the pro-Mussolini poet Ezra Pound, and the Japanese propagandist
Tokyo Rose come readily to mind. No one suggested, however, that we must
avoid blaming Germany or Japan for the war because to do so might encourage
"intolerance" of the Nazis or Axis sympathizers in our midst.
Let American Muslims declare their loyalty to this country, and their
horrified rejection of Islamic fanaticism in all its forms. Indeed, most
(but not all) Muslims in this country have taken precisely that stand. But
it makes no sense to invoke the mantras of "diversity" and "inclusion" as a
basis for denying the clear moral elements in this current struggle, or
ignoring the obvious contrast between America and our bloodthirsty enemies.
Tolerance may represent a worthy value, but it is evil and destructive to
tolerate the intolerable.
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