Live 2003

This time in history has been called the Age of Terrorism. While the term is appropriate, the Age of Culturalism might be a better fit. Culturalism is akin to the rise of nationalism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As we recall, the growth of nationalism saw the destruction of empires and the birth of many nation-states. It also led to international conflicts.

Culturalism is pride and devotion to a culture, rather than a nation. In the mid to late 1900s American culture took the world by storm. From blue jeans, rebels without causes, rock and roll, hippies and fast food, American culture invaded the far reaches of the planet. No bombs, troops or missiles were needed to be able to get a Big Mac, Pepsi, Coke or Kentucky Fried Chicken in countries that were considered hostile to U.S. interests. Pax Americana was basically the Americanization of the planet, much to the dismay of foreign cultural traditionalists.

The history books are also replete with the cultural invasions during the colonial period. The cultures of places such as India, China, Latin American and Africa took the brunt of Western cultural onslaughts that sought to glorify the white mans burden as it destroyed traditional societies. Native religion barely survived the missionaries who went forth in the name of God to save the heathens from their pagan worship.

The tide has begun to shift. Muslims have culturally invaded Europe. Latinos are striking back in America. Fast foods in the U.S. now promote the burrito and scores of other Latin sounding meals. Even in the guise of have it your way the taco or some form of spacey Latin dish adorns the menu marquis. The European Union bloc, according to the AP, now numbers at least 13 million Muslims and the growth of Islamophobia is on the rise. In Spain, thousands of Africans are fleeing to its shores in search of jobs. Some in the UK are now pushing for schools to teach traditional British values lest they be lost in the new cultural invasions.

It could be argued that turnabout is fair play. For centuries, the West has dominated to cultural world. And now, ever so slowly, those who were colonized and whose cultures once faced extinction, are on the move, changing the very fabric of Western society. There is no question that the news is filled with an ever growing numbers of hate crimes on the part Western countries toward their new immigrants. Only time will tell whether these new cultural invasions will remain relatively peaceful, of if the violent scenarios played out during the U.S.s civil rights will be repeated and, perhaps even exaggerated.

Mr. Harris was born in Massachusetts. He attended The American University in Washington, D.C. and received his degree in Political Science. His graduate work was done at the University of Northern Colorado and Howard University. While in D.C., he spent several years working for local and regional government agencies. Upon moving to Maine he worked with three governors and served as the Assistant Director of the Maine State Planning Office. He worked on a White House Task Force for the development of a National Rural Policy and later served as Rural Policy Coordinator at the Federal Regional Council of New England. He has worked on gubernatorial and senatorial political campaigns and currently works in Special Education.

Mr. Harris is co-author of the novel WAKING GOD and is a nationally syndicated and featured writer for The American Chronicle. He is working on Book II of the Waking God trilogy and writing features for literary E-zines. His second novel, A MAINE CHRISTMAS CAROL has been released by Cambridge Books. Contributing writer for UPI's Religion&Spirituality web site.

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