This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

We're all international now.

From international to local. From political to poetical.

I may have mentioned that I am a political scientist by profession. That does not mean that I am a politician, but one who studies and explores political dynamics. As an American government instructor, I have always urged my students to take what is going on in the world and look for what it reflects for us locally, here; whether it may mean personally or in terms of local politics. 

We know that it is an election year and international politics is heavily reflected in campaigning strategies. Why? Well, because the president represents us abroad. Where as, local (whether state, national, or local) politics is determined by our more easily accessible representatives. So, now that I have drawn up the basics, what is going on in the world, and what does it mean for us locally? 

Recently, a lot has been going on. Yes, I know, an obvious statement. But I wasn't sure how else to state it. I will be writing this post on the "Clash of Civilizations" thesis as postulated by Samuel Huntington. Essentially, he argues that civilizations will clash, spurring heightened tensions. One incident is that of the killing of Ambassador Christopher Stevens, amongst others, in Benghazi, Libya. I will not go into detail about the events, because you could easily check out CNN, BBC, NPR, AlJazeera and a bunch of other news networks. 

Find out what's happening in Plymouth-Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

What happened? Was this event a confirmation of the "Clash of Civilizations" thesis? 

There are few things to consider, before jumping right off the diving board and into the deep end.

Find out what's happening in Plymouth-Cantonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

1) When exploring the realities of the world, us in America, we live an extremely different lifestyle. One that is, for the most part, secure, comfortable, and a bit more luxorious than other nations. We think we know what is going on in the world because of the news, but viewing on a news networking is not the same as living in those conditions. 

2) Much of the protest and the anti-American rhetoric is coming from countries that are undergoing extreme transitions. Libya just emerged out of a violent revolution. Egypt, a more moderate revolution. But ultimately, these are all countries that experienced a history of oppression, first through the colonial enterprise and then by their own dictators. 

3) In America, we see Freedom of Speech as an individualistic right. This has its own implications. Abroad, basic rights can be easily a group or nation right. Therefore, in order to sustain a balance, Freedom of Speech is acceptable in so far as it protects the group. Is this concept so unbelievable in America? No, not really. I mean, according to the famous Schenck v. US case, Justice Holmes argued that Freedom of Speech can be restricted in order to protect the group from unnecessary, such as "shouting fire in a crowded theater" may lead to dangerous chaos. 

3.5) Therefore, this film serves as a provocateur, inciting a reaction similar to that in which Justice Holmes had stated in 1919. I will not justify the reactions that people all over the world had. No, murder and violence are unforgivable. However, I will also add that such a film sought to provoke and incite conflict... It was not merely an act of Free Speech, it, without a doubt, was a meant to stimulate anger. 

4) Had no one reacted to this film, it would have had no hits on youtube. No recognition at all. In fact, I had never heard of this film until after the murder of Ambassador Christopher Stevens. It would have been a mere blimp on a radar, in which was written off as a mistake. 

5) Binaries suck. Yes, binaries suck. What does that mean? The world view of us vs. them. Good vs. Bad. Victory vs. Failure. Action vs. Inaction. All of the above. For us, as Americans who live safely far from any line of fire, we tend to revert to these binaries. But this is problematic. The world is not clear cut, black and white. It is not a matter of yes and no. But a combination of all these things and everything in between. Yes, I sound cliche. But we need to understand the dynamics and reality of everything in between. 

I have a lot more to say... but I am going to bridge the gap between international conflicts and local issues. For the most part, Americans (my self included) are a loving people. We are warm, caring, and hopeful. We breath life into our worlds, despite the long hours at work and the constant drive to move forward. 

To be told, "Go back to your country" or be accused of being a terrorist.... that is heart breaking. As a Muslim woman in America, it hurts. As an instructor on American Government  and a researcher in American politics, to be told that I am un-American, well that is a slap across the face. Essentially, I am being told the my whole life has been a lie. 

But what is amazing, is the power of the arts. This film, incited conflict.... it raised tensions internationally as well as locally. But the arts, well they have a power to sooth, to calm, to relax, to ease, to love. Yesterday, I went to an open mic at the Coffee Bean in Royal Oak... ready to perform a political poem. But the rest of the performers, they sang songs of hope, forgiveness, an eagerness to look to a better world. One woman in particular, she played a native America flute that was so enchanting, so ethereal, that any feeling of sadness about the condition of hate in the world, was released... and replaced with optimism, trust, and longing for internal peace. 

So, what is this post about. It is a call, for all local artists to put a piece together, and share it somewhere. Whether it is on this website or at an open mic. Yesterday, I ended up performing a poem about turning hopes and dreams into reality. The audience/participants were so moved that they asked me to become a regular, despite the distance I had to drive. 

This post is to request that our bloggers, readers, commentators, and artists breath in a feeling of hope, love, security, and contentment in our locals. To come together and ease any tensions. To seek out the truth within themselves and share a piece of themselves to thir loved ones. 

I am asking anyone who reads this... to Just Be. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?