Consequences of Political Quietism
As big Tuesday approaches in less than a week’s time, I am reminded of two traits exhibited by both candidates and a majority of the voting population that might keep me away from a polling station on November 4th:
1. Cowardice
Bravery lies in a field buried where the fog of status quo, from the clouds to dew on grass, obfuscates vision. And honesty has decomposed in this, bravery’s coffin. If courageous honesty was actually valued in the US, a lot of corpses swept under the politics rug would be exhumed. Given the state of political discourse, resurrection of such heroic bravery to speak honestly would be akin to a biblical miracle.
2. Support of the Status Quo: No one wants change.
If the voting public and the candidates actually wanted change, a couple of things completely marginalized in the 2008 election discourse would have to be addressed. What are those things? What would change and courageous honesty in America actually look like?
Supporting a political platform that would call for:
1. No finanical assistance to terrorist states, like:
Israel
Saudi Arabia
2. No terrorist interventions in places like:
Iraq
3. No domestic terrorizing in the form of:
-Prison Industrial Complex
-The US government’s response to Hurricane Katrina, and incompetent recovery efforts administrated by the governments for Hurricane Katrina survivors, in particular 9th ward residents (if Hezbollah could rebuild Southern Lebanon, post-war of 2006, quicker than the US government could rebuild New Orleans, than, there’s an obvious problem).
In my dream world, someone who is about change and bravely stands up to the aforementioned terrorism in and by the US could actually be considered a viable candidate for president of the US!
It’s our own fault Arab American community. If we really want to have any political influence that steps outside the realm of defensive organizing against absurd claims, defamatory statements and hate crimes; we need to move beyond arm-chair complaints and start organizing ourselves as a community. Yes, it’s become a tradition to sit with the family and lambaste absurdity. And, that will continue to be the realm of our influence, inside the family room, if we don’t step up and take out our efforts outside our comfortable homes. The use of our communities as a political liability and punching bag by candidates, like affiliation with Rashid Khalidi (by both Obama and McCain) or the hiring of Arab or Muslim staff members (i.e. Mazen Asbahi), in this year’s elections can partly be blamed on the Arab American community’s history of political quietism in this country. Let’s not continue to be silent, or substitute our standard protocol of silence with a doctrine of self-victimization.
Tags: 2008 elections, american politics, arab-americans, Maytha, Shit Extra Hard on Arabs and Muslims Month, war of terror
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As big Tuesday approaches in less than a week’s time, I am reminded of two traits exhibited by both candidates and a majority of the voting population that might keep me away from a polling station on November 4th:
Yes! Lets stand up and be beaten!
Isn’t it possible that maybe, just maybe, not everyone agrees with what you espouse? Basically a courageous politician is a politician that believes exactly what you believe. How delightfully convenient!
Stay away from the polls if you want, but its pretty ridiculous to stay at home because the candidates don’t see eye to eye with you on the Middle East Conflict.
Sigh… I suppose this is proof that a degree doesn’t = intelligence.
wait anon, I’m a little lost. I know there are some intersections where the military industrial complex and the prison industrial complex meet, but for some reason, I thought american drug laws and the domestic explosion of prisons in the US were not part of the Middle East Conflict. And for the record, what Middle East Conflict are you talking about? There are many, that’s like saying we don’t see eye to eye on the American conflict.
For me, a courageous politician would not sacrifice his or her morality to win an election-that applies to Obama and McCain, who both abandoned the fighting spirit that took “DC” to task, that same take no prisoners attitude with the establishment that made them popular with Americans. But then again, like Socrates said, if someone actually wants to be a politician, that’s enough indication that they shouldn’t be one.
Also, love how “I might not vote” gets interpreted by readers and Will as an endorsement to boycott the elections. I probably will vote, maybe not for president though. Unfortunately, the presidential election has put (as it always meant to do) an overcast over much more key election issues like that of props and local officials. I will definitely be casting my votes for the latter.
“Bravery lies in a field buried where the fog of status quo, from the clouds to dew on grass, obfuscates vision. And honesty has decomposed in this, bravery’s coffin.”
Lol are you serious with this?
This is what counts as ‘activism’ these days? Taking a stand not to vote coupled with overreaching poetry?
anon, thanks for misrepresenting my post by attributing two claims I did not make:
1. A call to boycott voting this year- I said ‘might keep me away from the polls.”more accurately I should have stated “causes me to be weary of casting a vote for US president.” like I have done in every election year since the age of 18, I will be voting. The props and local, state, and congressional seats are of extreme interest to
2. I do not understand the way you invoke the notion of activism. Please read my posts more closely next time you wish to critique me for something I haven’t written.
I meant to say: “next time, please critique me for something I have actually written. “
I meant to say: “next time, please critique me for something I have actually written. “
So anyone wanna place bets on which Muslim/Arab country will be first on the wrong end of cruise missiles launched by President Obama?