Persephone
New member
I grew up in a 3rd world country where women were underestimated, minorities lacked equal rights (and were commonly abused), where you couldn't even feel safe with the police, where robbery and abuse of children and women we continuously heard and feared for (this was a country predominantly Muslim), where my uncle was shot simply for denying to join a radical political party, where the elections were rigged, the politicians corrupt, the people hungry that they would be willing to sell their daughters (my mother's childhood friend was sold by her father), where my mother would hide me under my bed because my grandfather upset a radical member of a radical political party, where my grandfather favored my uncle above my mother simply because she was a girl. I could talk endlessly on the disorder that surrounded that society.
My mother escaped from that country, and we immigrated to the United States. And, now my American life...
Western civilization and ideals I greatly admire. My older, dreadful memories of my home country juxtaposes with my new life. *While not perfect,* it is far, far better than any country of the East out there. Western ideals - religious liberty, the freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, freedom of petition. *Equal* rights to all, be it a Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Jew, black, white, women, male--- there was a major lack of these in my home country.
The people here are in touch with the world. Their minds are active; ticking, learning, teaching...
Their minds are open - knowledge has opened their minds. People in my home country have never had a chance to get a whiff of this. They don't know their potential. People here *act* like civilized human beings. I have been treated very positively by Westerners, definitely more so that the people of the country I come from. The people here - I laugh with them, I learn from them... my life is far more happier living among Westerners, far more enriching, and a far more delightful, free experience.
One man from my father's side of the family cursed Western ideals, while complaining about how things were hard for him due to the lack of democracy, the lack of freedom to live your live. I laugh at people like this. Sure, Western civilization is not perfect, but the "Islamic" countries cannot even be compared to the fresh air that roams here. >>This is not due to *Islam.* I am Muslim, and I believe lack of literacy, religious radicalization, censorship of anything critical of the government, a horrible regime, and corrupt politicians are just some of the problem. These people don't know what they COULD attain.
The Western Muslims here that I've met are far happy...far more on earth. They, too, agree. They came here for the freedom America has to offer.
Is criticizing Western civilization merely jealousy? How can you not be fond of such ideals?
My mother escaped from that country, and we immigrated to the United States. And, now my American life...
Western civilization and ideals I greatly admire. My older, dreadful memories of my home country juxtaposes with my new life. *While not perfect,* it is far, far better than any country of the East out there. Western ideals - religious liberty, the freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of assembly, freedom of petition. *Equal* rights to all, be it a Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Jew, black, white, women, male--- there was a major lack of these in my home country.
The people here are in touch with the world. Their minds are active; ticking, learning, teaching...
Their minds are open - knowledge has opened their minds. People in my home country have never had a chance to get a whiff of this. They don't know their potential. People here *act* like civilized human beings. I have been treated very positively by Westerners, definitely more so that the people of the country I come from. The people here - I laugh with them, I learn from them... my life is far more happier living among Westerners, far more enriching, and a far more delightful, free experience.
One man from my father's side of the family cursed Western ideals, while complaining about how things were hard for him due to the lack of democracy, the lack of freedom to live your live. I laugh at people like this. Sure, Western civilization is not perfect, but the "Islamic" countries cannot even be compared to the fresh air that roams here. >>This is not due to *Islam.* I am Muslim, and I believe lack of literacy, religious radicalization, censorship of anything critical of the government, a horrible regime, and corrupt politicians are just some of the problem. These people don't know what they COULD attain.
The Western Muslims here that I've met are far happy...far more on earth. They, too, agree. They came here for the freedom America has to offer.
Is criticizing Western civilization merely jealousy? How can you not be fond of such ideals?