For the Love of All That is Holy: Three Myths Americans Need to Shake
The thing I like most about studying Middle East and Islamic history is that it's an area most Americans don't know anything about, and I think it would be good to teach Americans about it as a career. But that is also the most frustrating thing about studying Mid-East history. On TV, at school, among my friends and family, I am forced to endure an endless stream of misconceptions that good, intelligent Americans have about the Middle East and Islam, repeating over and over things that I know to be untrue.
Now I know the "Stupid Americans" theme is as old as apple pie itself, and I'm not saying that at all. People all over the world have funny ideas about far off cultures. It's no surprise that we know more about those close to us than those who are less familiar. You should hear the nonsense some Arabs think is true of Westerners.My goal here is to try to correct some myths that I think are important. Myths that stand in the way of our progress and even our safety. Myths that, for the love of all that is holy, we have to stop embracing.
So over the next week I'll be posting essays on the three biggest and most obstructive (in my opinion) myths about the Middle East and Islam that I hear a lot. I'll add references and links to news and informational articles. I've done my best to keep my personal opinions out of it. I think one reason I've been ignored when I try to dispute these myths is that the folks I'm talking to have different political opinions than I do. They may dismiss what I'm saying as a simple difference of opinion. Fair enough, but opinions aside, I'm just going to try to shed light on some confusing and complicated issues.
Now I know the "Stupid Americans" theme is as old as apple pie itself, and I'm not saying that at all. People all over the world have funny ideas about far off cultures. It's no surprise that we know more about those close to us than those who are less familiar. You should hear the nonsense some Arabs think is true of Westerners.My goal here is to try to correct some myths that I think are important. Myths that stand in the way of our progress and even our safety. Myths that, for the love of all that is holy, we have to stop embracing.
So over the next week I'll be posting essays on the three biggest and most obstructive (in my opinion) myths about the Middle East and Islam that I hear a lot. I'll add references and links to news and informational articles. I've done my best to keep my personal opinions out of it. I think one reason I've been ignored when I try to dispute these myths is that the folks I'm talking to have different political opinions than I do. They may dismiss what I'm saying as a simple difference of opinion. Fair enough, but opinions aside, I'm just going to try to shed light on some confusing and complicated issues.