Middle East versus Wild West

I recently had the chance to travel in the nation of Turkey.  Turkey straddles the continents of Asia and Europe.  Turkish society reflects this unique position; some citizens welcome the modernizing influence of the Western world (Europe, USA) while their more conservative counterparts wish to retreat into traditional and fundamental cultural norms characteristic of the Middle-Eastern world.  This is the dynamic that gets Turkey labeled the "clash between East and West."  That's the context for this little reflection...

Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey

The Western world fears the culture and customs of the Eastern world, and the Eastern world fears the culture and customs of the Western world.  Both fight against the penetrating influence of the other in their own society.  Rightfully so.  Iran and Egypt protect themselves against the growing influence of American culture in their society because they don't want materialism and sexual flagrancy to run rampant like they do in the West.  The USA and UK protect themselves against the spread of 'Eastern ideas' such as extremist-Islam and Sharia law.

I think this struggle to preserve the integrity of one's own society is legitimate.  I'd just like to offer a little more balance in how we as individuals think about issues like this.  A balanced approach not only asks the question "What do we need to fight against in order to protect our way of living?" but also "What can we learn from the other side in order to better ourselves?"  Yes, I do believe we sophisticated and civil Westerners have much to learn from the people of the East and Mid-East, and I believe we have something to offer them as well. Examples? For starters, the preoccupied parents of America could learn much about raising respectful children from the Middle-Eastern and Islamic cultures.  We could relearn hospitality and neighborliness.  I would also appreciate more quality Middle-Eastern cooking in America.  In return, we might have some advice to share about protecting freedoms within society.  In the process of exchange maybe we'll find that not all Arab-Muslims support al-Qaeda, and--if we're lucky--maybe they'll see that not all Americans are characterized by Paris Hilton and Charlie Sheen.




If you want to see more pictures of my time in Turkey you can see them on my Facebook in the album "Travels in Turkey".

Me, Turkish kids, 2nd century Roman bath