Posted by
peripheral on Thursday, September 24, 2009 3:55:16 AM
From My Perspective - - -
In May 2008, The Book Review Section commented: “In his new book, THE POST-AMERICAN WORLD,
Mr. Fareed Zakaria writes that America remains a politico-military
superpower, but in every other dimension - industrial, financial,
educational, social, cultural - the distribution of power is shifting,
moving away from American dominance. With the rise of China, India and
other emerging markets, with economic growth sweeping much of the
planet, and the world becoming increasingly decentralized and
interconnected, he contends, ‘we are moving into a post-American world,
one defined and directed from many places and by many people.’ Mr.
Zakaria argues that we are now in the midst of the third great tectonic
power shift to occur over the last 500 years: the first was the rise of
the West, which produced ‘modernity as we know it: science and
technology, commerce and capitalism, the agricultural and industrial
revolutions’; the second was the rise of the United States in the 20th
century; and the third is what he calls ‘the rise of the rest,’ with
China and India ‘becoming bigger players in their neighborhoods and
beyond,’ Russia becoming more aggressive, and Europe acting with
‘immense strength and purpose’ on matters of trade and economics.”
This book has some significance today because of a picture showing
President Obama carrying this book with his finger in a place where he
had been reading about The Post American World. But – let’s give this
President a possible benefit of the doubt. What if he was reading one
of the conclusions of Fareed Zakaria, namely: “…the economic
dysfunctions in America today are the product not of deep
inefficiencies within the American economy, but of specific government
policies - which could be reformed quickly and relatively easily to put
the country on a more stable footing. A set of sensible reforms could
be enacted tomorrow…to trim wasteful spending and subsidies, increase
savings, expand training in science and technology, secure pensions,
create a workable immigration process and achieve significant
efficiencies in the use of energy - if only the current political
process weren’t crippled by partisanship, special-interest agendas, a
sensation-driven media, ideological attack groups and legislative
gridlock.”
The redefining in our nation includes history, vocabulary and values.
This becomes part of a commentary that views the nation as weak and
ineffective. The latest and almost boorish discussion over the charge
of “Racism” submitted by Former Presidents Carter and Clinton, as well
as Comedian Bill Cosby, is a case in point. If one disagrees with an
action by the current President, it is deemed “Racism”! If poor people
get submerged in a flood, it is the result of “Racism”. To his credit,
President Obama stated in an interview with David Letterman, “I was
Black before I became President…” In a disparate way, there is a group
of words that are often misconstrued and misapplied: Racism (the belief
that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and
that a particular race is superior to others), Bigotry (stubborn and
complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from
one's own), Prejudice (an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed
beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason), Racial Bias,
Profiling...(It’s too bad the President doesn’t fully subscribe to
definitions from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary regarding basic
understanding).
The Ministry of Jesus Christ demonstrates the approach He would like His followers to apply. In JOHN 4,
He approaches a Samaritan woman to ask for a drink. She raises the
issue of Racism in her response: Why do You – a Jew – ask me – a
Samaritan for a drink. The “Followers” respond with shock and surprise
to The “MASTER” (V. 27): “…his disciples returned and were surprised to
find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or
"Why are you talking with her?" Jesus was approached by a Lawyer (LUKE 10:25-37)
who asks Jesus: “And who is my neighbor?" Jesus shares with him about a
half-dead man who a Priest had passed by, and whom a Levite had passed
by as well. But a Samaritan has pity cares for him and makes provision
for his continued care. In these times, it is too common to forget the
“racism” of nations toward Israel historically: Egypt (1500 BC),
Assyria (720 BC), Babylon (586 BC), Rome (50 AD), Germany 1940 AD),
Arab States (2000 AD). There is considerable work that needs to be done
to reach the oppressed in these times and Jesus Christ wants His
Followers to do it. Consider these things with me!