I remember when I was younger, and we stayed up late trying to find a clear signal on the cable channels 99, 0, and 1. I remember one of these times a friend remarked to me "You know, in Europe, they have naked people even in regular commercials." What? How can they do that? "I don't know. They just do," he replied.
Whether it was true or not, I really didn't know; but one thing has become very apparent to me as I've met people from different parts of the world: cultural norms (especially in sexuality) can be VERY VERY different from place to place. These can range from the in-your-face nudist beaches in places to the simple inability/desire to form a line noticed by my girlfriend in Macau . . . which in Britain isn't even called a line! (a queue?)
I've talked a lot about my "live and let live" philosophy toward life. I believe, as the writers of the Constitution did, that the Government is established to protect others from infringing on your rights and not to enable your prosperity. But what about the "grey areas" where it's difficult to tell if someone is infringing on your rights? If I jog down the street naked having just eaten two Dairy Queen blizzards, am I hurting someone else? If a person takes his filthy stinking shoes and socks off on a cramped plane, is he invading someone else's personal rights? (Yes you are, and it's disgusting. Please stop. F you). If a woman wearing her shoes puts her feet up on the seats, is she infringing someone else's rights? Well, it's funny you ask because a video has surfaced on YouTube of something just like that!
(the author admits he is always susceptible to internet trolls doctoring or editing footage)
A lot of people will only recognize anger in the man outraged at this incident. But I see something much more dangerous (but that we can be sympathetic to): confusion! In his defense, he can't possibly believe he's wrong, and it probably isn't his fault if his culture has always taught him to believe something.
Now, it's possible the woman could have incited this incident more than the video purveys. It's possible this man's rant could have been taken out of context. But the concept is an important one. When there are grey areas in law, the common conception of culture will sort out what is acceptable in daily circumstance.
There has been a lot of talk about inducting more and more refugees into American culture. There have been a lot of accusations of xenophobia toward people who do not want to accept people of different cultures into the U.S. There is also a sentiment that all cultures are different and equal and can co-exist. This video is a small, small example of why that isn't true. People who hold to this claim also tout that "America is a nation of immigrants!"
The Disconnect: This is certainly true, but America was a nation made of immigrants who sought COMMON CULTURAL VALUES. These values included: respect for life, self-reliance, that a person shall be judged by the content of his character, doing unto others as you would have them do unto you, freedom, etc. Many of the cultures seeking to gain admittance want only one thing . . . SAFETY. I certainly feel for someone who does not feel safe in his own country, but if he wants to be admitted into a land with our cultural values, he should also be looking to be indoctrinated by our culture.
IT IS A MYTH AND A FOLLY that cultures with opposed values can exist side-by-side. Those who wish to break from a culture that does not have equal rights for women, homosexuals, etc. are certainly welcome to come and pursue freedom; but those who wish only to seek asylum and continue to practice values that are fundamentally opposed to "Western" values cannot co-exist with those who believe in freedom and equal rights.