All Cultures Are NOT Equivalent
Liberal and leftist propagandists tell many lies to advance their surreal view of the world. The most egregious, damaging and downright stupid lie, however, has got to be the meme that “all cultures are equivalent”. This trope is trotted out when, for example, liberals play apologist for barbaric sharia law. And they also use it, often, to dispel any notion that some “silly” Americans might have that America is, in any way, superior to others countries. Now, I might be willing to “buy” the multiculturalist view point when applied to cuisine (ethnic restaurants are indeed an antidote to bland New England fare) but in a non culinary sense, multi cultural equivalence is, on its face, preposterous. And, although the absurdity of the multiculturalist world view can be demonstrated in a myriad of ways, nothing puts the lie to this deception more clearly than the plight of the albino children of Africa.
Albinism is a rare genetic condition in which the body does not make melanin, the pigment that makes skin and hair dark. In addition to humans, it can occur in other animals such as horses, mice and many others. The albino individual has very pale skin, extreme sun sensitivity and striking red pupils.
Although modern cultures recognize this condition as hereditary, primitive cultures consider albinism to be satanic in origin. Just as the belief in the aphrodisiac powers of rhinoceros horns (which, by-the-way are made up of keratin, the same material from which our fingernails are made, and offer, thereby, absolutely no physiological aid to sexuality, other than, perhaps, a placebo effect) have led to the slaughter of multitudes of this magnificent animal, the myths surrounding albinism have VERY unfortunate consequences for the individuals so afflicted.
In Africa, an albino infant, felt to be evil, is frequently shunned by its family. It is often put in a orphanage which, sad though that is, is the BETTER outcome for these children. They are sometimes simply left to die. Those that do not die in infancy often die an early death in their teens and twenties from skin cancer that’s caused by exposure to the intense sunlight prevalent in large portions of Africa. Many of them have no access to life saving sunscreen and even clothing that can serve as a protectant.
But the most horrific fate that they suffer is almost too terrible to even contemplate: limb mutilation. Although albinos are felt to be evil, the ARE believed to posses supernatural powers. Incredibly, CHILDREN’S FINGERS are felt to be GOOD LUCK CHARMS. This results, God help them, in albino children having their hands and arms HACKED OFF with machetes to yield the sought after charms. Yes, you read that right: their hands and arms are hacked off with machetes. Because, it may may be difficult for readers to believe that this practice actually exists, I will include a few of the many incredibly sad photographs of such victims available on line.
Unfortunately, these horrific mutilations are nothing new and are NOT rare. In a short investigation on line, I found several articles going back as far as 2006 documenting the barbaric practice, and some of these articles indicated that the practice had been long endemic.
Their are a number of relief organizations that bring help to these mutilated children. They arrange medical care for their wounds (the children are often just left to die a slow and agonizing death from bleeding, infection and even malnutrition, as they are unable to feed themselves). They provide sunscreen and hats, and support the orphanages that take these children. If the reader would like to donate to this very worthy cause there are a number of organizations that accept monetary gifts. The one I chose was Under The Same Sun (www.underthesamesun.com). Their compassionate work begs for our support.
The heartbreaking conditions these children live under and the savage practices that they endure are, of course, born of ignorance and superstition. But those horrific practices are possible ONLY in a culture in which the worth and dignity of every individual is not recognized.
Which brings me to the central point of this essay: some cultures ARE better than others. Some cultures are more fair, more just, more moral, and more compassionate than others. The notion that ALL human individuals are children of God and are, therefore, equal in the sight of God, is a gift to the world, perhaps THE unique gift to the world, of Christianity. It’s NOT found in eastern cultures where cast systems and even slavery are allowed and sometimes condoned. It’s NOT found in Islam, where non Muslims are said to be “the vilest of peoples”. It’s NOT found, even, in Judaism, where Jews proclaim that they are “chosen” above all others. (Because I am aware that this analysis may be disputed by some, I would hasten to point out that it is not solely mine. I came upon the analysis as elaborated by the Oxford educated Israeli scholar Noah Yuval Harari in his excellent book: Twenty One Lessons For The Twenty First Century, which, by-the-way, I highly recommend). The concept of the dignity of all individuals was invented and promulgated by Christianity and the western cultures that arose from it. So, dear readers, I would leave you with the notion, not terribly popular these days, but none-the-less true: all culture are, simply, NOT equivalent. Some are more primitive, more ignorant and more barbaric than others. Just ask the albino children of Africa.