http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=65800&d=23&m=6&y=2005&pix=opinion.jpg&category=Opinion
Thursday, 23, June, 2005 (16, Jumada al-Ula, 1426)
Tyranny of Silence
Dr. Mohammed T. Al-Rasheed, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
We grew up in this part of the world under what I
euphemistically call "the Tyranny of Silence". Children are told that speaking
in the presence of their fathers is the height of rudeness. Asking questions is
tantamount to rebellion; Questioning authority is outright blasphemy.
As the world turns its prying eyes on our existence, much
needs to be explained in order for us to reach a common ground of
understanding. Basically, we grew up being told what to do and what to believe
and how to act and react. When one of us reaches maturity, the cycle is
repeated without questioning or alteration.
Needless to point out that the products of such a system are
firm believers in what they already believe in and know nothing of the
mechanism of dialogue. You see this phenomenon working itself out in the
letters sections of this newspaper for example.
Granted that the editor of that section is highly selective
and sucks up to those whom he likes or hold the strings to his salary, you
still get the occasional debate between "us and them."
It is a dialogue akin to a mute trying to show a blind man a
picture.
Asking questions is the only way to develop a healthy
analytical mind. Otherwise, one is dependant on others to shape one's mind.
It also follows that silence is not golden - not even copper.
Kierkegaard once said that "the surest of stubborn silences is not to hold
one's tongue but to talk." Which means questions, argumentation, debate, ideas,
and finally progress. Silence is nothing more than an attempt these days at
quasi-wisdom.
Needless to say that tyrants throughout history have had
tongues chopped off with astonishing regularity regardless of time and place.
The latest who practiced such activities was none other than Saddam Hussein. To
see him yapping when given a chance is nothing short of scandalous for those
who suffered his tyranny. Unfortunately for them, Saddam is actually held by
the Law. The Law does not chop off tongues.
Today we are at a crossroad socially and politically, and we
must decide what we want to do in order to clarify a point or engage in an
internal or external debate. Opening one's mouth for the sake of talking is bad
manners.
First we must learn the dialectics of words and their
meaning. Yes, re-learn if we have to. No one is too old or too learned to go
back to school.
The second most important thing to accept is that others
might actually be right regardless of who they are or what they believe in.
Third, we must believe that no one has a monopoly on truth,
news, ideas, wisdom, and decision-making.
Perhaps the next time Condi visits she might see a
difference. After all, she is a professor and can measure a student's progress
from one term to another.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Berdikusi dg Santun & Elegan, dg Semangat Persahabatan. Menuju Indonesia yg
Lebih Baik, in Commonality & Shared Destiny. www.ppi-india.org
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