interest. I am generally in favor of the preservation of other
cultures, but not to the point of ok'ing things that are generally
believed to be violations of human rights. One of the early feminist
writers made this point with regard to clitoral mutilation, traditinal
in many African societies.
Dana
----- Original Message -----
From: Harkins, Patrick <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Mon, 9 Aug 2004 16:05:42 -0400
Subject: RE: multiculturalism question
To: CF-Community <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
In the case of canadian aboriginal cultures, the gov allows them a limited
form of self-government, partly out of a sense of debt and partly because
they recognize that a culture benefits when it can apply localized solutions
that bring the culture together rather than impose external solutions.
The sharia law situation differs in that the culture involved does not live
in a geographically distinct area and possesses no historical claim to
cultural sovereignty. It also differs in its rigidly patriarchal, top-down
style.
This is not an abstract situation of a minority with different values, but a
case where one group's traditions potentially violate what are agreed on as
basic human rights in the larger society/culture.
There are no doubt many ways in which Muslim tradition can be successfully
utilized to help bring arab countries into the 21st century, but giving the
old boy's club a free hand in the west isn't one of them.....
Patrick
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