Truly Liberal

I consider myself a true idealist.  Much more so than the "progressives" who clamor today about "social justice, civil rights," and "peace."  But I also feel my idealism is based upon very real foundations.  The expansion of  freedom is synonymous with the expansion of peace, justice, and human rights.

Young minds can be easily molded. At college I've had the great opportunity to experience numerous views on world events. In my opinion, as students,  it's too-often we trade our vision for lofty ideals while charting our course.  We become so blindsighted by the endless pursuit of perfection that we lose track of progress and a basis in reality. We dance on the fringe of ideals so far that we slip off the edge by letting principles conflict with one another.  Freedom should always  be our highest priority, and we must work toward it for others in a systematic manner.

A good number of my age group falls into the trap of having great ideals, but no cohesive world view.  We seek to end bigotry but are often narrow-minded when it comes to seeing others’ viewpoints. We cry intolerance at the smallest incident, but seek to silence all opposition.

We seek to end “the establishment” but we are not willing to admit that it is this institution that has given us the ideals of liberty, human dignity and justice.

We seek to end human rights abuses, but ignore the worst desecraters of the human spirit citing cultural relativism.

If we really do have high ideals, then it’s time that we measure up. We can no longer say we support the rights of all people through our rhetoric, but through our actions only support that which comes easily to us.

The real enemy is staring us down while we reach outstretched hands. When will we realize that not everyone in this world wants peace? We have to wake up from our slumber where our dreams teach us “love conquers all." Love is not a conqueror; human liberty is. Loving our neighbors means giving them to means to love one another and to take part in society where they are not subjected to the rule of ideologues.

How can we sit idly by when enemies of the human spirit seek to enslave the minds of others through fear, intimidation and death? We can no longer be so self-serving and indignant that we ignore reality when it does not fit into our “comfort zone.”

Self-sacrifice for higher ideals means accepting that the road to these goals is often dangerous and uncertain. Enabling tolerance in the world is not an easy task, and a movement that will has staunch opponents who wish to continue tyrannical superiority. We must accept that there are those who oppose peace, and we cannot let any "cultural" definition justify this.

I believe Frederick Douglas said it best with, “The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims have been born of earnest struggle. If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters."

Let's not be blinded by politics, clichés, and our own shortcomings. Rather than losing grip of our principles, let's stand firmly on them—and give others in the world the same chance. It will be a struggle, but not an insurmountable one.

Comments

[Jess]

Just wanted to say that you have good points. Do you think true freedom can only come from below?

[David Baynor]

Just wanted to say that your letter is one of the best I've read by far from someone of your age.

[Mom/Dad]

Athena,
We are SO PROUD of you. I read this letter and it just speaks volumes as to the kind of person you really are. You know that we have always been proud of you but I think we have been TRULY BLESSED to have had the opportunity to raise such a FINE person. You are amazingly talented with your writing. I never knew this until I started reading these blogs. I just wish every man, woman, child could set forth high goals and dreams of self improvement, but unfortunately, many do not. I think that is a waste. We love you!

[Jim]

Athena, I wish you could speak to classes at my daughter's school. This never would be allowed but it's your kind of clear thinking that we need to provoke debate and show the right side of the war on terrorism to our students.

[athena]

Thanks for the comments.

For democracy to remain, it must be supported by below, but I think a country can be democratized initially from above.

It's much like the "initial push" theory in economics.

People won't take collective action if they are not sure that all members are willing to make the initial investment, for fear of losing. (This is also game theory in international relations).

So, they all can reject a change and remain stagnant.

Or, some can embrace the change while others stick to the status quo, which causes the most chaos.

Or, if pushed by above and outside, people can overcome the wall of fear and uncertainty at the same time, and everyone benefits.

[jonathan]

dear athena,
bernard lewis, eminence grise of middle eastern studies says it is wrong to assert that the middle east is congenitally illiberal (he points to the contractual relationship between islamic rulers and the governed in past islamic societies), and that part of the problem has been the support of autocratic regimes by the west, along with crippling under-development in the middle east (vis-a-vis israel's meteroric rise in comparison). my question to you is this; since the bush adminstration has resolved to promote democracy in the 'moyen orient', how can it rescue it's tarnished reputation with the 'arab street' and is it not right to say that it is the largely pro-american arab elite who have kept a lid on things, to the consternation of the local populace?
also, can you give historic examples of trickle down democracy and it's subsequent nuturing by the proles? how does external democratic 'reinforcement' affect national consciousness? the kenyan mau-mau, chinese 'boxer' and even queen boudociea's insurgencies against the foreign occupiers drew their support from a pride in nationhood. it that not the risk of external imposition?

[athena]

I'll address your questions, but it will take me a while to speak to all of those topics. I'll send you an email to notify you when I post a reply.

You sound like a college professor.

[Pete]

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[Cat]

Johnathan - you try too hard. 'moyen orient'? gimme a break. the questions you're asking athena would be better directed at current policy makers...she's bright, but if she could rescue the US's tarnished 'street rep' she could overthrow bush and take his next term.

[an American Choicemaker]

Human knowledge is a fraction of the whole universe. The
balance is a vast void of human ignorance. Human reason
cannot fully function in such a void; thus, the intellect
can rise no higher than the criteria by which it perceives
and measures values.

Humanism makes man his own standard of measure. However,
as with all measuring systems, a standard must be greater
than the value measured. Based on preponderant ignorance
and an egocentric carnal nature, humanism demotes reason
to the simpleton task of excuse-making in behalf of the
rule of appetites, desires, feelings, emotions, and glands.

Because man, hobbled in an ego-centric predicament, cannot
invent criteria greater than himself, the humanist lacks
a predictive capability. Without instinct or transcendent
criteria, humanism cannot evaluate options with foresight
and vision for progression and survival. Lacking foresight,
man is blind to potential consequence and is unwittingly
committed to mediocrity, averages, and regression - and
worse. Humanism is an unworthy worship.

The void of human ignorance can easily be filled with a
functional faith while not-so-patiently awaiting the foot-
dragging growth of human knowledge and behavior. Faith,
initiated by the Creator and revealed and validated in His
Word, the Bible, brings a transcendent standard to man the
choice-maker. Other philosophies and religions are man-
made, humanism, and thereby lack what only the Bible has:

1.Transcendent Criteria and
2.Fulfilled Prophetic Validation.

The vision of faith in God and His Word is survival equip-
ment for today and the future.

Man is earth's Choicemaker. Psalm 25:12 He is by nature
and nature's God a creature of Choice - and of Criteria.
Psalm 119:30,173 His unique and definitive characteristic
is, and of Right ought to be, the natural foundation of
his environments, institutions, and respectful relations
to his fellow-man. Thus, he is oriented to a Freedom
whose roots are in the Order of the universe.

There is no acceptable alternative.

[Sleepy in Saudi]

Get Pete off of this page and bar the spammmer permanently!!!!What are you, a frat boy????

And Jonathan, you 'really' like those empasis marks, 'don't you'.'''''''''Where do you 'teach'?

Athena, your parents have every right to be proud.