22 February 2004
Any time, in a political argument, one side resorts to essentialism and ontology, you are in the presence of propaganda. Human beings are all exactly the same. They all laugh, smile, and have the same emotions. Their cultures have different rules for the games they play, but the games are all recognizable. How one gets honor differs, the quest for honor does not. An entire people (and let's just be honest and say "race"--even though there is no such thing, most people think in these terms) is not characterized by any essential attribute such as "evil" or "violent" or "fanatical," etc. Individuals and groups within the people can commit deeds that are evil, violent or fanatical. When one departs from the deeds of a specific group into speaking of the vices of a whole race or a people, one is descending to demonization and engaging in pure propaganda.
-- Juan Cole, Reply to Yglesias, Informed Comment.
(Photos: Top - Ariel Schalit for AP; Bottom - © Steve Sabella for UNDP/PAPP Jerusalem)
