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Apart from the Iraq Study Group, plenty of people have come out with their plans and opinions about Iraq. The Sunday talk shows are booking these guys by the dozen. As I was watching one of them this morning, my observations for months (or years) are finally confirmed. The only people who seem to have an opinion (at least that’s what the TV guys communicate to me) about Iraq are white men. Now there is nothing wrong with white men having an opinion about Iraq, and some of those opinions on solutions may very well be right on, but it is frustrating that more voices are not in the mix.
Part of the blame is on the Arab and Muslim communities. At various times, we hear some voices, but more often than not, those voices are out of the mainstream (the media likes those looneys better for some reason). Apart from protests, what we need are more voices from the Arab communities submitting papers and articles to journals and magazines and newspapers. We need those voices on speaking circuits, and those voices need to articulate those thoughts into books.
But the blame is also on us (society)–not the media, but us who tolerate and allow our media to go on without highlighting a diversity of voices. I was on a blog once where I was ‘discussing’ or ‘debating’ with another about the legitimacy of the war in Iraq. Is it just me who thinks that it makes sense that Iraqi-Americans should be asked on what they think should be done in Iraq? The other guy had no patience that I was born in Iraq and have family there. He felt using that in an argument was “weak sauce.” Race shouldn’t trump arguments, but the reality is that in our discourse it already does–it seems that you are allowed to have and express your opinion only if you are a white man.
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You make a very good point here, Eddy. I think all opinions are important to a discussion, but the those most involved should definitely be heard.
I think it is fair and just to ask Iraqi-Americans about what should be done in Iraq. They will likely have a better understanding of the culture, etc. than someone not of that ethnicity. But as you say here, race shouldn’t trump all in arguments. (Also I like how you’re able to tease out how race does play a de facto trump card.) In the case of a war, there are many factors and many areas of expertise that need to be consulted — military, economic, religious, engineering, etc. The trick is for all of us to be humble enough to listen to the input of the experts in different areas. A strange trump has emerged in recent years. One cannot refute the opinions of the military, soldiers or their families, or victims and their families of the Sept. 11 attacks. If one does so, they are seen as callous or offensive and that kind of knee jerk reaction isn’t helpful to public discourse. If anything, the intensity of the opinions held by various groups affected shows us that we are dealing with real and serious issues that affect our lives.
I think you misread the comment on the blog and I think the commenter misread your intentions. It was a case of talking past one another. In my understanding you meant to bring in your heritage as another aspect in the debate, whereas the commenter read it as you trying to play a trump card. I do think the commenter — as I know the person — would respect the input of someone with your heritage on the matter. The commenter simply wouldn’t agree that one person’s experience will be the final statement in any argument.
I say this as a white male. So clearly my opinion is more important than yours. Boo-yah!
I say this as a white male. So clearly my opinion is more important than yours. Boo-yah!
And that’s why you are even given more space for comment…