There seems to be an overriding impression that those who are for the underdog are underdogs themselves and therefore naturally empathize with their own kind. From this, it would appear, that those who are for pedigrees are, then, pedigree themselves. Obviously, from the vantage point of a decent civilization, this is an incestuous fallacy hung over by a vestige of ancient tribalism, which is an emotional distrust of those of another kind.
On the other hand, the current scenario of this disruptive globe, does indeed indicate that tribalism is very much alive but not very well. Iraqis, for instance, though they hate admitting it, are far better off than they were under Saddam; they hate the visibility of the US occupation yet don’t want it to cut and run — just don’t want the US in their face so much, but have the weapons ready. Apparently, they are schizoid by being torn between gratitude and shame, a wrenching psychology wherein their well being is owing to an intervention by a superior nation because their own tribal pride failed them. The minority insurgents, however, are so openly humiliated that they, likened to all terrorists, are willing to defend their dying culture to the end.
For fifty years the Middle East out of their uncontrollable passion for their tribal culture have felt threatened by a tiny democratic nation amongst them. Israel’s great strides toward prosperity and national defense have raised havoc with the authoritarian Muslim fixation against anything resembling progress and modernity. What Muslims lack in modern weaponry is made up for in pathetic violence under the ostensible decree of their unique spirituality impelling them to preserve the musty sands of time arrested. By waving the banner of Allah, they are confident they can cry foul or “holy war” when their unseemly actions are questioned by modern nations which, however, are hesitant to engage in even the semblance of a “crusade,” while Muslims are free to openly endorse suicide bombing against the modern infidels.
Fortunately and unfortunately, in this nation of ours, tribalism has been replaced by the much touted class warfare of the haves and have nots, or as Senator Edwards put it Two Americas. Neither of these shibboleths, however, reflects the truth. Granted there are family dynasties that are of a peculiar class which permit otherwise mediocre personalities reign supreme — Senators Kennedy, Rockefeller, Kerry and President Bush, all of whom without their birthright could possibly be your local supermarket clerk or at most your alderman — but this is a far cry from class warfare, rather the luck of the birthday lottery. What is the truth is the cold draw of individual talent and intellectual integrity, together with the quality of nurture and/or circumstance, that mark the differentiation of character development in order to be successful across these united states.
Notwithstanding this natural selection of competence, a civilized society must still envelop the whole by measures that will not only ease the frustration in virtue of their minimal competencies by opening up avenues to dignity of purposeful education and work, but also to herald them as the bedrock upon which a nation stands tall.
Copyright © 2004 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: March 21, 2004.