She makes an interesting argument about the risk coming from one direction. But I'm much more concerned about the rise of Christian nationalism on the right in the United States. They are the ones seeking to roll back the gains that have liberated me during my lifetime. If the American experiment fails, it will be because of Donald Trump and his cult. They are the far greater threat to the three key values she identifies, and with which I agree -- the rule of law, a tradition of liberty, personal responsibility, a system of representative government, a toleration of difference, and a commitment to pluralism.
Surely Ayaan's long-winded analysis needs a good editing? It may or may not be true; but there are much more succinct ways of expressing the remedy. Firstly: remember that society/everything is always evolving, and that some people choose to be sheep rather than shepherds. Shepherds will always be outnumbered by sheep. Second: appreciate the amazing banquet of wealth our bounteous rich planet gives to us everyday, rather than choose to support a sick culture of greed that distracts us from the important values of society. Thirdly: work within your own community and make it strong by your example. Fourth, as stated by another commenter: laugh loudly & often at these stupid people who think their particular ism has all the answers. I'm disappointed that Ayaan has to resort to this long-winded ismism; which confuses rather than clarifies.
Regretfully, I did not find this piece compelling. First, I'm not a religious person and am at best described as "agnostic." Second, I'm not real big on reparations. (Those who are can stop reading now.). Of course I'm white, of Irish decent and therefore I am racist by definition, even though my history would not support that description. I'll stack my life of equality up anyone. So, isn't it true that all our ancestors suffered so indignities in life (none the equivalent to enslavement of course). But we others, with all the cruel and unusual things that came our way, survived by wit, education, crookery, and such things that came our way by atypical benefit. No, we didn't obtain or give land that wasn't ours to give or grab, since it stolen from the American Indian. And too, there were many white immigrants that did not thrive on their cultural heritage. Europeans became coal miners. Their families continue to survive today in Appalachia and are among the poorest people in our country. And of course there are many others, the homeless, the destroyed military veterans, the mentally ill. I dare say there are many caucasians among these folks who have not benefitted from their "white privilege".
If we go back to Africans, their cultures did not reward the "intellectuals" other than the revered wisemen in their tribe. And the most prominent was not a "landowner" beyond his hut. Those rewarded most were the hunter/gathers. Then through tribal wars, the weaker were first enslaved and then traded for money.
I'm clearly adrift here as anyone who would read this has likely left by now observing "oh, here it goes again. Another white person who just doesn't get it". So be it.
Too many African Americans suffer from a distinct break. The fatherless home. Why? Can it be directly related to racism? I've written this before, and will relate to it briefly. In early 2000, Ed Bradley on CBS interviewed a well-to-do family in an Atlanta suburb that was largely populated by other black families. Of course they were all well educated, too. The family of 6 as I recall were doctors, bankers, educators and lawyers. Seated in their circular living room, Bradley proceeded a question with "As African-Americans...." He never finished the question as one of the sons quickly stood up and said, "Wait a minute. We are not African anything. We are Americans who happen to be Black." Bradley was stunned as was I. This was something I'd never heard despite my history in employment, promoting minorities and women in government and business, beginning with managing a city's first "Youth Opportunity Program" in the late 60's.
This all puts me on the "right" side of liberal Americans, I know. I'm among those who reward effort. Everyone does not get a prize. Little Mary doesn't get promoted to third grade if she failed to put forth the effort (or her parent{s}) to meet reasonable standard. Somewhere along my way, we began to reward those who "lost" rather than telling them they needed to work harder and as a parent, "I will help you".
You clearly did NOT read this article. She never once argues FOR the things you think she does. I can't even comprehend how you could have read this article and gleaned the exact opposite of her point!
I must admit I'm not terribly optimistic about the future of the West. Just a few years ago we let the state close churches and cripple commerce in the name of "stopping the spread" and "social distancing." Get vaccinnated! Wear a mask! Stay at home! Stop spreading misinformation about the origins of the virus! Stop asking questions!
Young people were most eager to follow the recommendations of experts, no matter how absurd. You can still find college students wearing masks on campus and in coffee shops. And these are the folks who will hold positions of power and leadership? God help us all.
This is such a wonderful piece, Ayaan lays it out for us to all see. Another good take on this is Chris Rufo book "America’s Cultural Revolution" , it looks on how this works also and how this got into the collages, and of course how it got into out social order . A great educational read !
Only a person who has lived through such oppression can convey the urgency of what is at stake for America and Western Culture. It is not only the marxist ideology, it is also the "elites" getting very desperate as they lose control of power because of alternate media like this publication. It is truly a dangerous era. Time to stand up or lose more of your freedoms that are being whittled away in increments!
We love you, Ayaan! We love hearing about your journey. We are heartened by your bravery.
I have read part the way thru this essay. And I had to speak.
Most importantly, the leftist / communists have been subverting the West and the US since at least the 1960’s. Almostly surely Senator McCarthy was essentially right that there were many communists in our government and other institutions. And leftism had had a profound influence on the FDR Admin.
Side note: perhaps I agree that McCarthyism (as it was called) went too far, and became too much an unfair witch hunt (just as many communist societies have their witch hunts). But I think the US did have many more communists.
Further: events such as WW2, the Korean War, and the Vietnam war were very hard on Western society. Perhaps especially WW1 in Europe.
These comments do not change your argument much.
They do suggest more hope than, perhaps, some people might have seen.
Our society and values have largely held up despite long and massive assault.
This does not say that it will continue to do so. But “all is not lost.”
Let us rebuke the left. Let us uphold the wonders of what the West has accomplished. Let us, carefully, remain tolerant.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one of my heroes along with Lincoln, Washington, Patton, Eisenhower, Churchill, Regan, Thatcher, and Peterson.
Her analysis rings true. My life has spanned the time period when all this has been happening. So much time has passed. So many Rubicons seem to have been crossed.
It took the Greatest Generation to stand against and defeat the tyrants in WWII. But, the enemy was visible and was engaged in unspeakable brutality. Today the enemy is destroying us from within without firing a shot...so far.
It will take tremendous backbone to stand against the incoming tide of this enemy and recover the values and principles that made America and the West the bulwarks of freedom. Do we have enough people with the backbone necessary to fight and win? I wish I knew...g.
Immigrants don't really understand what America once was, for better or worse. The society was demoralized, destabilized, subverted and normalized a long time ago. That's the system now: corrupt, brutal, dishonest, and willing to commit murder to achieve its goals. Now you are seeing it but it has been there in front of your eyes your whole life.
First is Nazi jurist Carl Schmitt and his notion of the political as the distinction between friend and enemy. We need to reduce the salience of politics to reduce the enemy temptation.
Second is Gaetano Mosca's notion of the "political formula." Every ruling class has a political formula to justify its rule. Our ruling class believes it fights for the oppressed against the oppressors. Sorry Charlie: the only oppressors are the ruling class.
Third is Bertrand de Jouvenel and his notion of Power. Power wants to demolish all social and cultural and legal institutions and create a wasteland between Power and the individual. We must rebuild the mediating institutions back up so they can push back against Power.
Notice that none of the three are "Anglo-Saxons." But we Anglo-Saxons must learn from them.
I think this article should be plastered in every newspaper and read aloud on every media outlet every 15 minutes for weeks at a time. Every social media app should be forced to put this on everyone’s feed and need to be read before anyone can proceed to whatever they do on there. This country needs to be turned around because of it falls the world will end. It’s time to do the hard stuff and piss off a lot of people. The choices are to either keep our country or get the fuck out. We put civics back into school. English needs to again become the language of the country. No teaching everything in whatever language you speak. It worked when Ellis island was open. The alternative isn’t a country I want to live in.
An excellent article. Ayaan had a unique perspective on what is transporting in America today. We would be wise to bed what she says.
She makes an interesting argument about the risk coming from one direction. But I'm much more concerned about the rise of Christian nationalism on the right in the United States. They are the ones seeking to roll back the gains that have liberated me during my lifetime. If the American experiment fails, it will be because of Donald Trump and his cult. They are the far greater threat to the three key values she identifies, and with which I agree -- the rule of law, a tradition of liberty, personal responsibility, a system of representative government, a toleration of difference, and a commitment to pluralism.
Christians will not turn the country into a theocracy; however, the Islamists will do so at first opportunity.
Surely Ayaan's long-winded analysis needs a good editing? It may or may not be true; but there are much more succinct ways of expressing the remedy. Firstly: remember that society/everything is always evolving, and that some people choose to be sheep rather than shepherds. Shepherds will always be outnumbered by sheep. Second: appreciate the amazing banquet of wealth our bounteous rich planet gives to us everyday, rather than choose to support a sick culture of greed that distracts us from the important values of society. Thirdly: work within your own community and make it strong by your example. Fourth, as stated by another commenter: laugh loudly & often at these stupid people who think their particular ism has all the answers. I'm disappointed that Ayaan has to resort to this long-winded ismism; which confuses rather than clarifies.
Regretfully, I did not find this piece compelling. First, I'm not a religious person and am at best described as "agnostic." Second, I'm not real big on reparations. (Those who are can stop reading now.). Of course I'm white, of Irish decent and therefore I am racist by definition, even though my history would not support that description. I'll stack my life of equality up anyone. So, isn't it true that all our ancestors suffered so indignities in life (none the equivalent to enslavement of course). But we others, with all the cruel and unusual things that came our way, survived by wit, education, crookery, and such things that came our way by atypical benefit. No, we didn't obtain or give land that wasn't ours to give or grab, since it stolen from the American Indian. And too, there were many white immigrants that did not thrive on their cultural heritage. Europeans became coal miners. Their families continue to survive today in Appalachia and are among the poorest people in our country. And of course there are many others, the homeless, the destroyed military veterans, the mentally ill. I dare say there are many caucasians among these folks who have not benefitted from their "white privilege".
If we go back to Africans, their cultures did not reward the "intellectuals" other than the revered wisemen in their tribe. And the most prominent was not a "landowner" beyond his hut. Those rewarded most were the hunter/gathers. Then through tribal wars, the weaker were first enslaved and then traded for money.
I'm clearly adrift here as anyone who would read this has likely left by now observing "oh, here it goes again. Another white person who just doesn't get it". So be it.
Too many African Americans suffer from a distinct break. The fatherless home. Why? Can it be directly related to racism? I've written this before, and will relate to it briefly. In early 2000, Ed Bradley on CBS interviewed a well-to-do family in an Atlanta suburb that was largely populated by other black families. Of course they were all well educated, too. The family of 6 as I recall were doctors, bankers, educators and lawyers. Seated in their circular living room, Bradley proceeded a question with "As African-Americans...." He never finished the question as one of the sons quickly stood up and said, "Wait a minute. We are not African anything. We are Americans who happen to be Black." Bradley was stunned as was I. This was something I'd never heard despite my history in employment, promoting minorities and women in government and business, beginning with managing a city's first "Youth Opportunity Program" in the late 60's.
This all puts me on the "right" side of liberal Americans, I know. I'm among those who reward effort. Everyone does not get a prize. Little Mary doesn't get promoted to third grade if she failed to put forth the effort (or her parent{s}) to meet reasonable standard. Somewhere along my way, we began to reward those who "lost" rather than telling them they needed to work harder and as a parent, "I will help you".
You clearly did NOT read this article. She never once argues FOR the things you think she does. I can't even comprehend how you could have read this article and gleaned the exact opposite of her point!
You’re entitled, but read all that I needed.
If you haven't watched it already, you gotta see American Fiction.
I must admit I'm not terribly optimistic about the future of the West. Just a few years ago we let the state close churches and cripple commerce in the name of "stopping the spread" and "social distancing." Get vaccinnated! Wear a mask! Stay at home! Stop spreading misinformation about the origins of the virus! Stop asking questions!
Young people were most eager to follow the recommendations of experts, no matter how absurd. You can still find college students wearing masks on campus and in coffee shops. And these are the folks who will hold positions of power and leadership? God help us all.
This is such a wonderful piece, Ayaan lays it out for us to all see. Another good take on this is Chris Rufo book "America’s Cultural Revolution" , it looks on how this works also and how this got into the collages, and of course how it got into out social order . A great educational read !
Thank You Ayaan
Only a person who has lived through such oppression can convey the urgency of what is at stake for America and Western Culture. It is not only the marxist ideology, it is also the "elites" getting very desperate as they lose control of power because of alternate media like this publication. It is truly a dangerous era. Time to stand up or lose more of your freedoms that are being whittled away in increments!
We love you, Ayaan! We love hearing about your journey. We are heartened by your bravery.
I have read part the way thru this essay. And I had to speak.
Most importantly, the leftist / communists have been subverting the West and the US since at least the 1960’s. Almostly surely Senator McCarthy was essentially right that there were many communists in our government and other institutions. And leftism had had a profound influence on the FDR Admin.
Side note: perhaps I agree that McCarthyism (as it was called) went too far, and became too much an unfair witch hunt (just as many communist societies have their witch hunts). But I think the US did have many more communists.
Further: events such as WW2, the Korean War, and the Vietnam war were very hard on Western society. Perhaps especially WW1 in Europe.
These comments do not change your argument much.
They do suggest more hope than, perhaps, some people might have seen.
Our society and values have largely held up despite long and massive assault.
This does not say that it will continue to do so. But “all is not lost.”
Let us rebuke the left. Let us uphold the wonders of what the West has accomplished. Let us, carefully, remain tolerant.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one of my heroes along with Lincoln, Washington, Patton, Eisenhower, Churchill, Regan, Thatcher, and Peterson.
Her analysis rings true. My life has spanned the time period when all this has been happening. So much time has passed. So many Rubicons seem to have been crossed.
It took the Greatest Generation to stand against and defeat the tyrants in WWII. But, the enemy was visible and was engaged in unspeakable brutality. Today the enemy is destroying us from within without firing a shot...so far.
It will take tremendous backbone to stand against the incoming tide of this enemy and recover the values and principles that made America and the West the bulwarks of freedom. Do we have enough people with the backbone necessary to fight and win? I wish I knew...g.
Immigrants don't really understand what America once was, for better or worse. The society was demoralized, destabilized, subverted and normalized a long time ago. That's the system now: corrupt, brutal, dishonest, and willing to commit murder to achieve its goals. Now you are seeing it but it has been there in front of your eyes your whole life.
I agree with this on a tactical level.
But strategically, I have a three point analysis.
First is Nazi jurist Carl Schmitt and his notion of the political as the distinction between friend and enemy. We need to reduce the salience of politics to reduce the enemy temptation.
Second is Gaetano Mosca's notion of the "political formula." Every ruling class has a political formula to justify its rule. Our ruling class believes it fights for the oppressed against the oppressors. Sorry Charlie: the only oppressors are the ruling class.
Third is Bertrand de Jouvenel and his notion of Power. Power wants to demolish all social and cultural and legal institutions and create a wasteland between Power and the individual. We must rebuild the mediating institutions back up so they can push back against Power.
Notice that none of the three are "Anglo-Saxons." But we Anglo-Saxons must learn from them.
I think this article should be plastered in every newspaper and read aloud on every media outlet every 15 minutes for weeks at a time. Every social media app should be forced to put this on everyone’s feed and need to be read before anyone can proceed to whatever they do on there. This country needs to be turned around because of it falls the world will end. It’s time to do the hard stuff and piss off a lot of people. The choices are to either keep our country or get the fuck out. We put civics back into school. English needs to again become the language of the country. No teaching everything in whatever language you speak. It worked when Ellis island was open. The alternative isn’t a country I want to live in.
Thank you Ayaan Hirsi Ali. I am interested in any concrete steps you might suggest on the path forward.
Please keep spreading this message
Whew! Thank goodness Ayaan Hirsi Ali is living and breathing and thinking and writing.
Man’s nature is nasty, brutish and short. It is defined as the cosmos.
Civilization is the antithesis and is the product of chaos. Nothing good lasts without constant maintenance.