Just the other day I posted a quick blurb praising Obama’s speech in Cairo on my Facebook page. One of my friends asked for specifics. Once I got started I couldn’t stop so he might have gotten more than he bargained for. It was a nice chance for me to look over the speech again in more detail and really quite rewarding for me if no one else. What follows is that response:
What we are seeing fromObama concerning the Middle East is a pragmatic approach to the generations long conflict between the Middle East and the rest of the world. For too long US policy has been handcuffed by our allegiance with Israel. it didn’t matter what the Israelisdid, right or wrong, we stood with them. We are now seeing a break from that stance. It is morally wrong, in my opinion, to stand with one over another regardless of actions. The peoples of the Middle East have long been ignored, or worse looked at as a problem needing to be solved. It is time they were allowed at the table and given the opportunity to decide their own fates:
“More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.”
In this simple passage at the very beginning of his speech he acknowledges the past sins of the world community with regards to the Middle East.
Immediately after he laid appropriate blame at the feet of extremists:
“Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust.”
He then called for reconciliation:
“So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.
I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles – principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.”
This was all in the first few minutes of his speech. When was the last time a US president reached out to the Middle East in this way while remaining so pragmatic about extremism and the dangers it imposes from both sides. The Muslim world does not hold exclusive rights to extremism.
Later he spoke of negative stereotypes of Islam while comparing them to the stereotypes much of the Muslim world has of us:
“And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.
But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words – within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum: “Out of many, one.”"
And this has to be my favorite passage from his speech:
“Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.
For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. And when innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.”
To talk of shared responsibility as human beings is a call to arms but not violent arms. It is a call to find in ourselves the tolerance and understanding of other peoples and cultures in order to form stronger bonds and better communication between civilizations.
There will always be radicals and evil men on both sides. We are not blameless in this war but Obama addressed that as well:
“And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.
So America will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.”
After reiterating our alliance with Israel Obama goes on to defend the rights of Palestinians:
“On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people – Muslims and Christians – have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations – large and small – that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own.”
Too often we hear about the rockets being launched from Gaza on Israel and not enough about the humiliations suffered by the ordinary Palestinian everyday of his life. How would we react if we suffered these kinds of humiliations day after day? How would we react if we had no work and our families were living in refugee camps without food?
It is time to acknowledge not just Israel’s right to exist but also the Palestinian right to something we, in this country, take for granted: a home.
“At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.
Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, and work, and develop their society. And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.”
Obama also managed to throw in something about religious freedom and women’s rights.
Overall, a staggeringly pragmatic and optimistic speech. It’s tone was dead on and it is the first step, of which I hope there are many, on a road to peace and tolerance in the world.
With all that is wrong in the world I will never stop hoping that we can achieve peace in my lifetime. Against all odds I will do whatever small thing I can to help.
