Let me try

Submitted by trans-parere (Canada), May 27, 2010 at 00:36

Dear Cherif El-Ayouty,

The following is my humble attempt to give answer to your question.
Western society is not a cultural singularity. It is a hodge-podge of multiculturalism and always has been. IMHO it probably goes back to the Roman acceptance and incorporation of diverse tribes into that civilization. One which I must say left an indelible impression on western Europe's future -culturally speaking. And in course came to North America with French and British colonialism/expansionism. Call it what you will. The result being North America is home to some 200 different cultures and ethnicities. If you look around the world you will find very few countries that can say the same. [outside of the big three colonial nations. Britain, France and Spain]

So here is the crux of the issue. On one hand you have a policy of open arms and tolerance and on the other - each culture and ethnicity with their own experiences, history, biases and prejudices. Now any normal person would think that enough to contend with considering a desired harmonious state but, we are not done yet. Consider adding to the mix the political upheaval of the last one hundred years and a dash of Muslim migration to the West in the last forty years, topped off with a hearty dose of political-correctness and the social victim.

What you have left is many cultures and ethnicity and lets not forget religions, playing on those sentiments for position and power. However, for the first time in "our" times we have Islam. And Islam is not just a religion. It is a religion, a culture, a cultural identity, a social mandate and a judicial body. So justifiably there is a fear of the loss of an anchor of 'western society', mainly being the separation of Church and State which affects our 'way of life'. When threatened people react in two predictable ways. Fight or succumb to the perceived threat. The PC'ers and social victims have succumbed. So only the fighters are left until suitable accommodation can be found by both sides of these two very distinct methodologies, if they are ever to live in peace together.

I hope this has been some help and I haven't perpetuated confusion.

In peace
trans-parere

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