(Ir)religiosity

Last time, I mentioned the blatant biases, omissions, and failings of the corporate media in the United States in regard to non-domestic acts of violence, and as of late, the war and occupation of Iraq.  I touched on the fact the in our minds, only Americans matter when it comes to international violence and I ended with the question: Why are we indifferent when it comes to this?

Over the next few posts, I want to unpack several reasons that I believe will help answer that question.  But before I do I want to make it clear that I don’t believe the blame to this phenomenon should be placed solely on the corporate media.  True, they are more culpable, they are in fact — at least in theory — obliged to report to us the viewers, and to speak the truth.  That is true and deserves attention because they have failed by all accounts. But I think this phenomenon is bigger and more widespread than just that.  Individual conditioning and indifference coupled with the fueling of the corporate media machine has ultimately led to our collective indifference in regard to non-American violence (e.g. the war in Iraq, the conflict(s) in Africa, etc.)

So, let’s look at the first reason and perhaps the most obvious, at least in terms of the current war Iraq, the most current and ignored example.

We don’t hear much news about the war and occupation these days.  As I mentioned earlier, 51 people were killed and at least 75 injured by a car bomb in Baghdad a few weeks ago.  Violence happens as a result of our presence in Iraq everyday and usually, unless it is convenient, we don’t hear about it.  Why is this?

In terms of the war in Iraq I think this is because Americans have collectively moved on. The war and occupation in Iraq are deeply symbolic of the current Bush regime which is in its twilight.  Americans are already looking ahead to the fall election and beyond.  Obviously the war will still be a very pressing issue in the future, one that cannot be ignored or taken lightly, but it has in a sense become, inseparable to its figureheads, namely President Bush.  And lets be honest: even the most die-hard conservative Republicans are getting tired of President Bush. 

The average American is more interested in the upcoming election, how many times Barack Obama can say the word “change” in a speech, or if John McCain is even capable of making a speech.  And that’s why the war is not on the news.  Because we wouldn’t watch it even if it was. Why?  Because it’s old news.  We don’t care anymore because it’s 5 year-old news and it doesn’t directly affect any of us. 

Which is unfortunate for two reasons.  First, the next several presidents will be dealing with the problems Bush and company have caused in Iraq and elsewhere.  This isn’t over and we had better get used to it.  We can’t simple trade in one regime for another and expect the problems from previous years to simply go away.  That’s very naive, but sadly many Americans approach each quadrennium in this manner.

Second, and more importantly, just because something doesn’t directly affect us doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care.  In fact, I would argue that anytime human beings are suffering or oppressed we are directly affected. We are all connected in our humanity; thus anytime someone suffers we are very much effected.  Just because it’s not happening within the “borders” of our socially and geopolitically structured entity called the United States doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be outraged.

Mother Teresa is credited with saying, “We draw the circle of our family too small.”  If I’ve learned anything from my study of Jesus, it’s that the circle of our family includeds every human being on this earth and anytime one of our brothers or sisters is suffering or oppressed be it in the “United States” or “Iraq” or wherever, we have a responsibility not only to care, but to do something about it. 

What think you?