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Freethought
Association of West Michigan
Meeting Minutes for October 9, 2002; #125
Our next event
will be the Fall Harvest Party on October 19 at 6 p.m. at the
Seavers: 10721 52nd Ave. in Allendale. Call (616) 892-9300 for
more information. Bring a dish to pass. Come as you are or in
a costume. There will a bon fire, hayride, and abundant fun!
For the meeting
today, Freethought met along with the public at the GR Community
College for their 8th annual Diversity Series. Henry Cisneros,
former HUD director under Pres. Clinton, spoke on “America’s
Role in the World: Globalization and the Clash of Cultures.”
Mr. Cisneros
said globalization is making our world smaller by interweaving
economics with interlocking industries. Telecommunication has
expanded, exemplified by the proliferation of cell phones, used
exclusively by some countries that do not have wired systems.
With economic trade increasing, war becomes less likely. Population
increases in third world countries have urgently created the need
for jobs. Since Japan, France, and Italy have aging populations,
personnel of third world countries are helping to fulfill those
needs. As this movement takes place, however, immigration concerns
then arise.
PLUSSES OF
GLOBILIZATION
Mr. Cisneros first listed the pros of globalization, one being
the new opportunities that are surfacing. India, with many trained
engineers, is assisting other countries not blessed with this
profession. New jobs grow and more commonality occurs. Improvements
occur in medicine, nutrition, foodstuffs, and farming.
MINUSES OF
GLOBILIZATION
The difficulties are illustrated by the pace of change, which
occurs so rapidly that it is disorienting to some cultures. Resentment
results from the impression that the rich will get richer and
poor will lose out even more. American culture appears to win
over local cultures. Since subjugation of women is the natural
order in some places, connections and religions are affected.
Capitalism has not been honorable in some areas, as it has disregarded
environmental concerns and fair wages. Nafta, he said, has been
positive, certainly for Mexico and likely for the U.S. Michigan,
however, has been hurt somewhat but he feels it may be only temporary.
KEY ISSUE
The biggest issue he said is the clash of cultures. The feeling
exists that U.S. imposes its will on others. It is viewed as imperialist,
and is hated in some areas. Religious beliefs and threats to tradition
provide troubling scenarios. Some countries feel threatened by
our democracy and freedom, as a number of them in the Arab world
do not have them. Most Americans feel these attributes are worth
dying for as they are deeply held. We are sincere in believing
that the world would truly want these attributes. But any change
will take a long time, and complicating the picture is the huge
gap between rich and the poor.
HOW THE U.S.
IS CHANGING
A positive element in the U.S. is the existing diversity. Our
culture is proof that people can live together in peace. Currently
in the U.S. there are 35 million Spanish, 34 million African American,
and 14 million Asians. California does not have a majority racial
group and other states are headed that way. Cultures are melding
and there are more interchanges. He made light of the fact that
at Wrigley Field, nachos have outsold hotdogs. Mexican-American
relations have been given priority with the establishment of a
cabinet position. Since computers can now convert languages, communication
will be enhanced.
Use of the
Internet will grow continually. China will be the country that
will have the most Internet connections. Older populations will
present a challenge in that those over 80 are in the fastest growing
segment. It is likely, though, that younger people will feel more
like global citizens.
WHAT THE U.S.
SHOULD DO
Mr. Cisneros said that schools should provide language skills
He urged the study of comparative systems of governments. More
and more jobs will become involved with other countries’
systems. He feels it is important to study literature, history,
poetry, music, philosophy and religion of other countries, and
preferably to do this in their language. Traveling, studying,
and working abroad are becoming more popular in college curriculums.
Peace Corp results have been very favorable.
All professions
have an international component. Within our own country we need
to be aware of our diversity. Flexibility is important because
long-lived jobs are no longer likely, as they were when U.S. was
heavily industrialized. Instead of having 4 or 5 jobs throughout
our worklife, we are likely to have 4 or 5 careers. He concluded
by saying that despite 9-11, human progress will continue.
DISCUSSION
During the discussion, his thoughts were as follows: The U.S.
economy is sound but is in a course correction. Productivity has
increased substantially while changing from manufacturing to technology.
Tax cuts did not help economy because a number of them occur later
and favor the wealthy. A worry is that the Middle East trouble
may affect our economy, especially with the fear of more attacks
in the U.S. Pres. Bush can’t really do much about the economy;
it has to be ridden out. Corporate abuses have not helped.
We are viewed
as selfish, hawkish, but he feels we are becoming sensitive to
our consumption excesses.
He urged increasing
the minimum wage, noting that the wage does not allow the purchase
of a home in any state, and in many states a home is not affordable
even with both spouses on minimum wages. Flexibility is important
because it is virtually impossible to predict the direction the
economy or technology will take.
He said we
should continue to push for our values. Freedom, women’s
rights, etc, dignify the human phenomenon. But we can’t really
dictate change. Our economic power has made us an empire of sorts,
but we know it would not be healthy to think of ourselves as similar
to the Roman Empire. He wonders, though, if we are not behaving
like Romans against Iraq. The difficulty and dilemma has occurred
because never in world history has there been a time when mass
destruction can occur.
Globalization
is sometimes perceived as westernization. It is not likely that
there will be world government. The developed countries will certainly
want to hold on to their interests. The United Nations will get
stronger, especially in dealing with the environment. Another
element that needs attention is the fact that multinational corporations
have been become very powerful.
He feels Iraq
probably does have mass destruction weapons. There is evidence
that Saddam has been seeking products to assist in weaponry. Presently
Iraq may not be able to launch these weapons. The question is:
“How long do we wait?”
Prepared by
Don Hansen
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