This was an insightful read. I always love an insider's view of a culture foreign to my own that isn't afraid to be candid about their people and nation's shortcomings. In most of my interactions with people from third world countries, they'll admit that home might not be perfect but they stop short of ever criticizing the mettle of their people, as if admitting to their collective faults or worst impulses is some kind of malicious attack rather than constructive criticism (I'd argue that "refusal to take responsibility" is an issue that retards a good 95% of all countries, first or third). Lubis seems to be the kind of voice a lot of nations are in dire need of, and America is not exempt from that. Thanks for sharing this piece.
Thanks, and you're welcome. Glad you enjoyed the article. I think it's always difficult to criticize your own people qua your own people, but it's doubly so when your in-group is considered as "low class" or "underprivileged" (for reasons that are way too complicated to get into in a blog comment).
This was an insightful read. I always love an insider's view of a culture foreign to my own that isn't afraid to be candid about their people and nation's shortcomings. In most of my interactions with people from third world countries, they'll admit that home might not be perfect but they stop short of ever criticizing the mettle of their people, as if admitting to their collective faults or worst impulses is some kind of malicious attack rather than constructive criticism (I'd argue that "refusal to take responsibility" is an issue that retards a good 95% of all countries, first or third). Lubis seems to be the kind of voice a lot of nations are in dire need of, and America is not exempt from that. Thanks for sharing this piece.
Thanks, and you're welcome. Glad you enjoyed the article. I think it's always difficult to criticize your own people qua your own people, but it's doubly so when your in-group is considered as "low class" or "underprivileged" (for reasons that are way too complicated to get into in a blog comment).