Youth for Western Civilization

Do you remember the recent episodes of liberal intolerance on a North Carolina college campus?  Fox News has a report about the group that was being opposed-- Youth for Western Civilization.

At least based on appearances, the objectives of this group appear to be valid.  They want to promote and study the heritage and culture and history of Western Civilization.  I think that is a great idea.  We certainly do not do enough of that in our secondary and post-secondary schools. 

After nearly two decades of the reigning twin ideologies of multiculturalism and diversity, it is time that we accentuate the value of our Western roots. 

When non-Western peoples immigrate to the United States, they should certainly be accepted.  What is important to remember, however, is that they came here for a reason.  They came here because the Western tradition that built and sustained this nation provided a far better alternative for them than the tradition from which they came.

Comments

[Roch101]

"They came here because the Western tradition that built and sustained this nation provided a far better alternative for them than the tradition from which they came."

Guarino. Irony.

[Bubba]

Irony?

Yeah, sure.

Roch. Perpetually alternately clued.

[Joe Guarino]

Members of my own group came here, and sometimes felt discriminated against and excluded in a predominantly Anglo culture. And contemporary Western Civilization has a heavy Anglo influence-- there is no question about it. But my ancestors came here a century ago because they correctly perceived it would be much better here than what they were leaving behind. They had been denied all the best aspects of western society in their native land.

That is true for immigrants today also, and for people from various cultural backgrounds who are now US residents. Just like my grandparents, they are availing themselves of the opportunities and benefits that Western Civilization has afforded as it is expressed in the United States. In fact, what Western Civilization produced here is so good that some risk coming here illegally.

[brandonB]

Well, I see it like this. My ancestors were English mostly. I was taught, by both my mother's and father's, the importance of a strong family, honesty, faith, and unconditional love. Never, and I mean never, has there been anything other than a casual mention of the fact that our ancestors were English or Irish. It just isn't a part of my family's way of life. Our culture is not English, my ancestors left there to get away from all that was English. Many people I talk with feel that white folks in America have no culture. I don't see it that way at all. It's just not an ethnocentric thing anymore, it's a neighborly thing. I still remember when I attended General Greene Elementary, and the emphasis that school placed on teaching us about the world around us. I remember being taught to speak German, I remember my first research project in the 3rd grade, on Ireland. I remember the first multi-cultural program I participated in, when I was in the 1st grade(our class presented Mexico). I remember sitting at the lunch table with children who lived in Hampton Homes, one kid who lived in the county, a couple of country club kids, and middle class me. I can't imagine growing up without experiencing diversity at such a young age, and I'm not sure, without those experiences, how I would feel about living in the diverse community I reside in tonight. A lot of people dump on northeast Greensboro, but even with the robberies and drugs, I have to say that the white, black, hispanic, and montagnard folks all seem to get along well, and while there is an occasional beef, I rarely witness racist attitudes around here. I think the exposure people my age received in school regarding other cultures has a lot to do with that.

[brandonB]

that 2nd line should read "by both my mother's and father's side of the family." my bad.

[Roch101]

"Members of my own group came here"

Which contradicts: "They came here because the Western tradition that built and sustained this nation provided a far better alternative for them than the tradition from which they came."

[Roch101]

Brandon,

It sounds like your perceptions are the (good) result of a broad early education. I think there is a huge and apparent difference in racial attitudes among generations. I was fortunate enough to have been right on the cusp of school integration, starting elementary school the year school were integrated in Greensboro. People just a few years older than me are more inclined to have fears and suspicions of people different from themselves. People my age and younger less so. It will be a new world when people your age start to get elected.

[brandonB]

I guess my point is that it seems to me that what we define as culture is changing. My montagnard neighbors have their own cuisine, style of dress, mannerisms, that are still with them. On the other hand, my family has been in America so long, we don't really celebrate any kind of tradition at all. I don't see that as a bad thing either. Some folks do, and maybe I would feel different if I had a different upbringing, but I think growing up the way I did has helped reduce any kind of culture shock I would've experienced had I come from a more traditional background.

[brandonB]

Also, with the erosion of old world western european tradition, I do sense a sort of identity crisis from mainly white and black youth. I still believe it's a good thing that helps lead to understanding the world around you. I think this will lead to a new kind of culture in America. We aren't there yet, but we are getting there.

[Joe Guarino]

Brandon and Roch, the old "melting pot" concept actually worked fairly well from the standpoint of accepting many disparate groups into the American mainstream, and from the standpoint of fostering tolerance. Racial discrimination was a special, more difficult problem with a deep-seated history in this country.

The Western tradition produced many good things in American society-- political and personal liberty, equality, human rights, democracy, a republican form of government, free markets, property rights, self-determination, economic opportunity and the capitalism that produced so much prosperity. These were all Western ideas. Those are the reasons so many people from so many different cultures elected to uproot themselves and their families and relocate here-- because we offered some important things here that were not available where they were. Some of these ideas originated in England, but some originated in other parts of the West.

BTW, my ancestors and the immigrants from southern Italy were also seeking these types of things. Even though they were physically located in the western world, their circumstances were such that they were not able to enjoy many of the things the evolving, modern western tradition was offering because they were trapped in an almost feudalistic/medieval society. Economic opportunity was not available to them. And economic opportunity here arose from good Western ideas.

[brandonB]

The ideas were western, but lets not forget the struggles of the Irish, Italians, Asians, and Africans, which made these ideas a way of life. Also, I would call them American ideas rather than western. I mean, weren't our ancestors trying to leave behind the old Italian, Irish, and English ways; and came here to establish a new life, and a new way of life? Also, as much as I cherish early American values of liberty and such, there's no denying compromises were made in the beginning with regards to slavery and native americans, on the more "progressive" side. I'm not arguing whether it was right or neccessary, just thought I'd point it out. But yes, I'm convinced that personal liberty and the pursuit of happiness and the right to be left alone are true American values. Again, I call it American, not really western.

[Roch101]

Yes, Joe. America gets much of its greatness from Western traditions, it being a modern culmination of what germinated with the Greeks, was refined through the ages with the Romans, the Magan Carta, the French revolution, the enlightenment, etc.

It would be foolish to diminish or deny that, but it is not exclusive or all encompassing in understanding America.

[Joe Guarino]

Roch and Brandon, I would argue that virtually all of the best things about America were among the group of ideas that were circulating at the time of the founding of the United States; and that were incorporated into our founding documents. These were distinctively Western ideas that they pulled from a number of sources, as you suggest, Roch; and the work of the Founders was, in fact, genius. Not perfect, but genius nonetheless.

All the essential principles were there in the beginning in some form. The nation was refined over time to make things even better.

One of the things that happens to members of various ethnic and racial groups in our nation is the process of assimilation. This process is very important for success-- on an individual and group basis.

But it is still our Western tradition-- and the way the Founders captured distinctively Western ideas, and incorporated them into their plan for our nation-- that made the United States great; and that attracted all these groups here.

In my opinion, that is a tradition that is well worth preserving and transmitting in our high schools and universities. That is the point of this post. The group that sponsored the lecture at UNC, if it stays true to its stated calling, is in the process of doing a good thing. I don't think they ought to be mocked and criticized for what they are attempting to do.

In fact, they are doing precisely the right thing.