Habbash
4th September 2014, 16:59
We have a popular phrase in the Arab World: 'Sha'eb Mitkhalif' (شعب متخلف), literally meaning: 'A Retarded People', often applied during times of anger and frustration at some idiotic political group, when the bus driver is late, or any form of inadequacy found in society and our daily lives, regardless of how small. It is probably one of the most popular phrases in the Levant. Every Arab child will grow up having heard it at least once.
So, anyways, the reason I'm mentioning this is because today, in school, I got into an argument that rather disturbed me. It was one of those moments where my brain went hay-wire and insisted on going all Stalin on the my classmate.
During our English class, we were practising debating. I managed to get lucky enough to get to choose the subject of discussion. Of course, I decided to pick 'Inheritance: Should it be Abolished?'. A subject which the person I'm arguing against deemed as 'irrational' and 'idiotic'. Now, I have absolutely no problem with a differing opinion, and, for the most part, greatly enjoy conversing with my capitalist and pro 'laissez-faire' friends and family, but in this case, the student said a line that literally made me want to cringe.
We were discussing how lack of inheritance would effect a persons' ability to get a better education. Of course, it being a theoretical system, I argued that a socialist nation would allow equal educational opportunities for everyone. Then the guy said what is undoubtedly stupidest line I've ever heard in my life. Instead of it resulting in yells of 'burn him alive!' it simply warranted nods of approval from the audience.
He said: 'If we give equal education to everyone of every class, then the Blue Collars wouldn't accept the manual labour that they HAVE to do! Society would fall apart!'
Of course, I'm just staring at him, questioning the future of humanity.
I have never heard of a stupider reason to not allow someone a right to equal education in my life. What happened to people? Are they really that cynical to the point where they are completely unable to feel ANY sympathy or relate to ANY of their fellow men? Apparently, the workers that turn the cogs and gears in our society aren't exactly human, they do not think like 'us', nor do they desire the same luxury as we do. They are simply there to be 'used' by the upper-middle class and above. When questioned about the inequality caused by inheritance, and the fact that without equal education and opportunities we'd never really progress as a species, he replied that 'that's just how life is'. Honestly, I have to give this kid credit. He managed to dismiss one of the fundamental issues in society with a paraphrased version of 'let them eat cake'.
This is a type of ignorance that is not based upon mis-information, but is the type that is based upon apathy, ignorance of other people's emotion, the lack of sympathy for others, not ignorance of basic knowledge. What really bothered me is the fact that his regressive draconian ideas are met with the warmth only the acceptance of an ignorant populous could provide. I know it's a generalisation to assume that EVERYONE is like that-they're not-but most people in my class are.
I'm honestly afraid that I might be getting the vibe that generally 'well-off' youths in the Arab World (or rather the Levant) are becoming more and more cynical towards their social responsibilities and the rights of the workers that give them the luxury of living in a relatively functioning society.
I want this to change. My classmates rarely listen to me when I jump on the soap-box and attempt to explain to them what I mean by social equality and wage based on contribution. Honestly, the very fact that the ideas of social responsibility are becoming less and less acknowledged disturbs me. This is a lot worse than capitalism, this is severe and radical isolationism, not on a national basis, but on an INDIVIDUAL basis. I really want to do something that can at least get my classmates to challenge the social norm. I want them to say: 'hey, maybe the religious laws regarding inheritance are slightly regressive, and should be considered for removal', or maybe 'shouldn't everyone have equal education? Why should I get a better chance at life just because I was born to rich parents?'. This is rather unfortunate because most of my classmates are generally humanitarian, but they are simply unable to understand how destructive these policies perpetuated by the social norms are. I want them to at least hear me out, but I can't exactly stage a coup and overthrow the principal, nor can I print out stalinist posters and distribute them throughout the school, but I really to at least implement the basis for socialist progressivism. And, honestly, they're generally open-minded about most things, and are a rather bright group of people.
So, here comes the tough part, any ideas? I want to make it a project of mine to create an entire line of (let me be honest here) propaganda, and really would enjoy presenting it as one of my projects to the school. I want it to be substantiated, rather than most of those emotion-appealing posters in the 40's and 50's. But I also want it to be possible for everyone to at least hear it out. I have a general knowledge in design and am a relatively good translator. That, coupled with my socialist cousin's writing skills, can provide me with the skills needed to apply my beliefs in the most popular media forms. So that shouldn't generally be a problem.
I'd appreciate any help with this! Thanks!
So, anyways, the reason I'm mentioning this is because today, in school, I got into an argument that rather disturbed me. It was one of those moments where my brain went hay-wire and insisted on going all Stalin on the my classmate.
During our English class, we were practising debating. I managed to get lucky enough to get to choose the subject of discussion. Of course, I decided to pick 'Inheritance: Should it be Abolished?'. A subject which the person I'm arguing against deemed as 'irrational' and 'idiotic'. Now, I have absolutely no problem with a differing opinion, and, for the most part, greatly enjoy conversing with my capitalist and pro 'laissez-faire' friends and family, but in this case, the student said a line that literally made me want to cringe.
We were discussing how lack of inheritance would effect a persons' ability to get a better education. Of course, it being a theoretical system, I argued that a socialist nation would allow equal educational opportunities for everyone. Then the guy said what is undoubtedly stupidest line I've ever heard in my life. Instead of it resulting in yells of 'burn him alive!' it simply warranted nods of approval from the audience.
He said: 'If we give equal education to everyone of every class, then the Blue Collars wouldn't accept the manual labour that they HAVE to do! Society would fall apart!'
Of course, I'm just staring at him, questioning the future of humanity.
I have never heard of a stupider reason to not allow someone a right to equal education in my life. What happened to people? Are they really that cynical to the point where they are completely unable to feel ANY sympathy or relate to ANY of their fellow men? Apparently, the workers that turn the cogs and gears in our society aren't exactly human, they do not think like 'us', nor do they desire the same luxury as we do. They are simply there to be 'used' by the upper-middle class and above. When questioned about the inequality caused by inheritance, and the fact that without equal education and opportunities we'd never really progress as a species, he replied that 'that's just how life is'. Honestly, I have to give this kid credit. He managed to dismiss one of the fundamental issues in society with a paraphrased version of 'let them eat cake'.
This is a type of ignorance that is not based upon mis-information, but is the type that is based upon apathy, ignorance of other people's emotion, the lack of sympathy for others, not ignorance of basic knowledge. What really bothered me is the fact that his regressive draconian ideas are met with the warmth only the acceptance of an ignorant populous could provide. I know it's a generalisation to assume that EVERYONE is like that-they're not-but most people in my class are.
I'm honestly afraid that I might be getting the vibe that generally 'well-off' youths in the Arab World (or rather the Levant) are becoming more and more cynical towards their social responsibilities and the rights of the workers that give them the luxury of living in a relatively functioning society.
I want this to change. My classmates rarely listen to me when I jump on the soap-box and attempt to explain to them what I mean by social equality and wage based on contribution. Honestly, the very fact that the ideas of social responsibility are becoming less and less acknowledged disturbs me. This is a lot worse than capitalism, this is severe and radical isolationism, not on a national basis, but on an INDIVIDUAL basis. I really want to do something that can at least get my classmates to challenge the social norm. I want them to say: 'hey, maybe the religious laws regarding inheritance are slightly regressive, and should be considered for removal', or maybe 'shouldn't everyone have equal education? Why should I get a better chance at life just because I was born to rich parents?'. This is rather unfortunate because most of my classmates are generally humanitarian, but they are simply unable to understand how destructive these policies perpetuated by the social norms are. I want them to at least hear me out, but I can't exactly stage a coup and overthrow the principal, nor can I print out stalinist posters and distribute them throughout the school, but I really to at least implement the basis for socialist progressivism. And, honestly, they're generally open-minded about most things, and are a rather bright group of people.
So, here comes the tough part, any ideas? I want to make it a project of mine to create an entire line of (let me be honest here) propaganda, and really would enjoy presenting it as one of my projects to the school. I want it to be substantiated, rather than most of those emotion-appealing posters in the 40's and 50's. But I also want it to be possible for everyone to at least hear it out. I have a general knowledge in design and am a relatively good translator. That, coupled with my socialist cousin's writing skills, can provide me with the skills needed to apply my beliefs in the most popular media forms. So that shouldn't generally be a problem.
I'd appreciate any help with this! Thanks!