Thoughts from
San Diego on Law, Politics, and Culture

 
Islamic Humiliation
By Michael Rappaport

Thomas Friedman writes about humiliation in the Islamic world. He seems to suggest that many Muslims feel humiliated by Israel and the United States. The Palestinians did not accept a peace deal because they were not winning a state, but having it handed to them by Israel and the US. The Iraqis are not appreciative of being liberated because they wanted to liberate themselves.

My first reaction to this column was to think it absurd, and terribly insulting to the Iraqis and Palestinians. But upon reflection, something like this may actually be occurring, at least to some extent. Indeed, how does one understand France other than as a country that is humiliated by the United States, because the United States had to liberate the French and has a culture that dominates in the way that the French wish theirs did?

If John saves Bill's life, then Bill may resent him and feel humiliated. But what is the solution? Of course, John should not repeatedly remind Bill that he saved his life. But if John does not behave that way, there is little else he can do to make Bill feel better. The main solution must result from Bill dealing with his ungrateful and resentful feelings. He must act more maturely.

Similarly, the United States and Israel must not rudely remind the Palestinians or the Iraqis what they have done or offered. But United States and Israel have not behaved rudely. If the Iraqis or Palestinians feel humiliated, the fault lies with them and they must deal with it.

After all, feeling humiliated can be an act of hostility that prevents peace. Islamic fundamentalists may feel humiliated that the United States is not an Islamic country, but so what. All the United States can do is to continue to act properly and try its best to help the fundamentalists to deal with their issues.
posted by MichaelTom at 11/09/2003 08:27:00 PM