From My Perspective - - -
In May 2008, The Book Review Section commented: “In his new book, THE POST-AMERICAN WORLD, Mr. Fareed Zakaria writes that America remains a politico-military superpower, but in every other dimension - industrial, financial, educational, social, cultural - the distribution of power is shifting, moving away from American dominance. With the rise of China, India and other emerging markets, with economic growth sweeping much of the planet, and the world becoming increasingly decentralized and interconnected, he contends, ‘we are moving into a post-American world, one defined and directed from many places and by many people.’ Mr. Zakaria argues that we are now in the midst of the third great tectonic power shift to occur over the last 500 years: the first was the rise of the West, which produced ‘modernity as we know it: science and technology, commerce and capitalism, the agricultural and industrial revolutions’; the second was the rise of the United States in the 20th century; and the third is what he calls ‘the rise of the rest,’ with China and India ‘becoming bigger players in their neighborhoods and beyond,’ Russia becoming more aggressive, and Europe acting with ‘immense strength and purpose’ on matters of trade and economics.”
This book has some significance today because of a picture showing President Obama carrying this book with his finger in a place where he had been reading about The Post American World. But – let’s give this President a possible benefit of the doubt. What if he was reading one of the conclusions of Fareed Zakaria, namely: “…the economic dysfunctions in America today are the product not of deep inefficiencies within the American economy, but of specific government policies - which could be reformed quickly and relatively easily to put the country on a more stable footing. A set of sensible reforms could be enacted tomorrow…to trim wasteful spending and subsidies, increase savings, expand training in science and technology, secure pensions, create a workable immigration process and achieve significant efficiencies in the use of energy - if only the current political process weren’t crippled by partisanship, special-interest agendas, a sensation-driven media, ideological attack groups and legislative gridlock.”
The redefining in our nation includes history, vocabulary and values. This becomes part of a commentary that views the nation as weak and ineffective. The latest and almost boorish discussion over the charge of “Racism” submitted by Former Presidents Carter and Clinton, as well as Comedian Bill Cosby, is a case in point. If one disagrees with an action by the current President, it is deemed “Racism”! If poor people get submerged in a flood, it is the result of “Racism”. To his credit, President Obama stated in an interview with David Letterman, “I was Black before I became President…” In a disparate way, there is a group of words that are often misconstrued and misapplied: Racism (the belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others), Bigotry (stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own), Prejudice (an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason), Racial Bias, Profiling...(It’s too bad the President doesn’t fully subscribe to definitions from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary regarding basic understanding).
The Ministry of Jesus Christ demonstrates the approach He would like His followers to apply. In JOHN 4, He approaches a Samaritan woman to ask for a drink. She raises the issue of Racism in her response: Why do You – a Jew – ask me – a Samaritan for a drink. The “Followers” respond with shock and surprise to The “MASTER” (V. 27): “…his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?" Jesus was approached by a Lawyer (LUKE 10:25-37) who asks Jesus: “And who is my neighbor?" Jesus shares with him about a half-dead man who a Priest had passed by, and whom a Levite had passed by as well. But a Samaritan has pity cares for him and makes provision for his continued care. In these times, it is too common to forget the “racism” of nations toward Israel historically: Egypt (1500 BC), Assyria (720 BC), Babylon (586 BC), Rome (50 AD), Germany 1940 AD), Arab States (2000 AD). There is considerable work that needs to be done to reach the oppressed in these times and Jesus Christ wants His Followers to do it. Consider these things with me!
In May 2008, The Book Review Section commented: “In his new book, THE POST-AMERICAN WORLD, Mr. Fareed Zakaria writes that America remains a politico-military superpower, but in every other dimension - industrial, financial, educational, social, cultural - the distribution of power is shifting, moving away from American dominance. With the rise of China, India and other emerging markets, with economic growth sweeping much of the planet, and the world becoming increasingly decentralized and interconnected, he contends, ‘we are moving into a post-American world, one defined and directed from many places and by many people.’ Mr. Zakaria argues that we are now in the midst of the third great tectonic power shift to occur over the last 500 years: the first was the rise of the West, which produced ‘modernity as we know it: science and technology, commerce and capitalism, the agricultural and industrial revolutions’; the second was the rise of the United States in the 20th century; and the third is what he calls ‘the rise of the rest,’ with China and India ‘becoming bigger players in their neighborhoods and beyond,’ Russia becoming more aggressive, and Europe acting with ‘immense strength and purpose’ on matters of trade and economics.”
This book has some significance today because of a picture showing President Obama carrying this book with his finger in a place where he had been reading about The Post American World. But – let’s give this President a possible benefit of the doubt. What if he was reading one of the conclusions of Fareed Zakaria, namely: “…the economic dysfunctions in America today are the product not of deep inefficiencies within the American economy, but of specific government policies - which could be reformed quickly and relatively easily to put the country on a more stable footing. A set of sensible reforms could be enacted tomorrow…to trim wasteful spending and subsidies, increase savings, expand training in science and technology, secure pensions, create a workable immigration process and achieve significant efficiencies in the use of energy - if only the current political process weren’t crippled by partisanship, special-interest agendas, a sensation-driven media, ideological attack groups and legislative gridlock.”
The redefining in our nation includes history, vocabulary and values. This becomes part of a commentary that views the nation as weak and ineffective. The latest and almost boorish discussion over the charge of “Racism” submitted by Former Presidents Carter and Clinton, as well as Comedian Bill Cosby, is a case in point. If one disagrees with an action by the current President, it is deemed “Racism”! If poor people get submerged in a flood, it is the result of “Racism”. To his credit, President Obama stated in an interview with David Letterman, “I was Black before I became President…” In a disparate way, there is a group of words that are often misconstrued and misapplied: Racism (the belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others), Bigotry (stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own), Prejudice (an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason), Racial Bias, Profiling...(It’s too bad the President doesn’t fully subscribe to definitions from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary regarding basic understanding).
The Ministry of Jesus Christ demonstrates the approach He would like His followers to apply. In JOHN 4, He approaches a Samaritan woman to ask for a drink. She raises the issue of Racism in her response: Why do You – a Jew – ask me – a Samaritan for a drink. The “Followers” respond with shock and surprise to The “MASTER” (V. 27): “…his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?" Jesus was approached by a Lawyer (LUKE 10:25-37) who asks Jesus: “And who is my neighbor?" Jesus shares with him about a half-dead man who a Priest had passed by, and whom a Levite had passed by as well. But a Samaritan has pity cares for him and makes provision for his continued care. In these times, it is too common to forget the “racism” of nations toward Israel historically: Egypt (1500 BC), Assyria (720 BC), Babylon (586 BC), Rome (50 AD), Germany 1940 AD), Arab States (2000 AD). There is considerable work that needs to be done to reach the oppressed in these times and Jesus Christ wants His Followers to do it. Consider these things with me!
No comments:
Post a Comment