>First off, the referendum on independence was overwhelmingly opposed
>by one ethnic group in Bosnia, the Bosnian Serbs, who boycotted. Far
>from being a model of agreement, the ethnic divisions were already
>pronounced, before the US chose to one-sidedly back the Muslim
>minority in Bosnia.
Remembering this today is important, as some quarters in Arab and/or Muslim communities are drawn to an idea that the U.S. government is bent on the destruction of Muslims, rather than the expansion & maintenance of the American empire for which purpose it enters (covertly or overtly) into any number of opportunistic (& hence ever-shifting) alliances -- including alliances with militant Islamists.
Doug says he is concerned that anti-Americanism is the anti-imperialism of fools, just as anti-Semitism is the socialism of fools. The problem that Doug raises is a real one, but the cultural solution that Doug seems to prefer -- a renewed appreciation of "American culture," especially American pop & sub cultures -- won't do. What we need here is patient political education, with emphasis on the complex history of capitalism and imperialism. Political orgs & parties on the left in the West shouldn't simply try to mobilize oppressed groups in diaspora, be they Serbian, Arab, and/or Muslim, for this or that protest, without challenging their political conceptions in the interest of temporary coalition-building. We need honest & frank political discussions -- such discussions may ruffle feathers of a good number of individuals in oppressed groups, but they are indispensable if we are to build a Left worth building. -- Yoshie
* Calendar of Anti-War Events in Columbus: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/calendar.html> * Anti-War Activist Resources: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/activist.html> * Anti-War Organizing in Columbus Covered by the Media: <http://www.osu.edu/students/sif/media.html>