Television stations and newspapers in the Arab world are awash with comments by self-styled experts posing as strategists and political analysts. Contradictory as these comments and writings seem, their proponents, who come from a variety of cultural backgrounds, seem to agree on one thing: a language of violence. It is indeed amazing to see all these bellicose words and terms being used by our intellectuals — conflict, war, battle, confrontation, invasion, resistance, struggle, the release of resources, the striking of enemy interests and others which fill every talk show or newspaper article.
What is more surprising is that the same words are used in times of war as well as peace, giving the impression of a prevailing culture of violence. Even at school, when a teacher is explaining a point of Arabic grammar, a violent example is often given. To summarize a subject and a direct object, a sentence such as “Ziad hit Amer” is used. It could as well be “Ziad picked a flower.” The same applies when the discussion concerns being an Arab or Muslim. We are told that we are victims of a cultural invasion and that we are also the victims of a conspiracy which targets our identity and existence. The other party is thus viewed with suspicion and based on the prevailing circumstances, others are seen within the context of a crusader campaign, colonization, imperialism, Zionism, America, the West and an endless list of potential enemies. We live in a crisis from within, one of our own making. Instead of facing a problem head-on, we run away and bury ourselves in futile discussion. Look at the war in Iraq; the blame is laid on the invading forces while ignoring the fact that it was a repressive regime of our own creation that led to the problem in the first place. We must realize we are part of the world and not its sole representatives. Admitting this simple fact would be a big first step toward finding solutions to many of our problems.
Arab News From the Local Press 19 April 2003
