Moral Relativism Will Defeat Civilization
Esteemed professor and author Charles Lindholm does an admirable job concisely informing us about the anthropological history of the Afghan/Pakistani people (“Culture Shock,” Opinion, Dec. 16). And, yes, Americans do now claim under the shopworn umbrella of political correctness that differences are to be embraced. But thousands of years of boorish, deplorable, primitive and pathetic behavior should never be an apology for its existence.
The professor wants us to understand and respect their ancient society, their so-called standards of honor and justice and system of morality. In recommending this stance, however, he is culpable of encouraging its continuance. We have to understand and deal with it, yes. But “respect” is never a requisite for any person, tradition, religion, culture, society or any combination thereof that treats selected persons violently, or even as inferiors, because of their gender, outward appearance or any other fabricated reason.
All of us humans need to be courageous enough to realize this and work together for the quick demise of debilitating tyrannies under any guise. It is the only way we can move ahead as a viable, stable civilization.
Louise Delaney
La Crescenta
*
Lindholm doesn’t strike me as a very deep thinker. He believes that Afghan women are satisfied with the status quo. Perhaps some are, but is it not possible that there are women who feel strangled, trapped, hopeless in a society that offers no choice and only values them as breeding machines. Silence should not be construed as acceptance; silence could be nothing more than fear.
Does Lindholm believe women of 100 years ago were satisfied with what society allowed? Has he never heard of Virginia Wolfe, Kate Chopin, etc.? Has he never heard of the quiet desperation of those women forced to live according to how men deem they should live and behave?
Why should we respect a society that subjugates half of the population? To respect it is to say that it is a worthy way of life; there is nothing worthy in subjugation.
Laura Simandl
West Hollywood
