What is wrong with non-western civilization?

Oct 24, 2013 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

Last month Leonard Craig and I spent three hours talking to Gerhard Ramsaroop and his wife on history and the difference in the ontological make up of the various civilizations/cultures. The venue was Gerhard’s home.
Obviously in any such philosophical discussion, Western civilization would occupy more space.
The indisputable fact is that western civilization has been the dominant one on earth these past five hundred years. As we debated the negatives and positives in the history of Western civilization, naturally the focus turned to the countless invasions and conquest of non-Western cultures by the Western world.
At that point I interjected with the role Christianity has played in the evolution of Western civilization and I took the argument right up to the 20th century American culture.
No one disagreed when I opined that one of the positive values of Western culture as seen graphically in the global role of the United States is the humanitarian instinct which, for me I don’t see in other cultures, particularly Indian, Muslim and Oriental civilizations. The West may have conquered the world through its aggressive instincts but I believe the absorption of Christianity has given the western mind the concept of saving humanity which I believe the religion of other cultures do not emphasize.
Please note: I am not a Christian and have no connection at any practical level with Christianity.
I said to the group that a country could endure the worst forms of genocidal cruelties and Saudi Arabia, Egypt, India, Malaysia, China, Nigeria, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey and even surprisingly Brazil, all powerful states with a powerful reach on the globe could not be bothered. When Rwanda was being ravished by the most violent form of genocide since civilization began, India, China and other countries were simply not interested in helping.
Writer’s note: I consider slavery, then the Holocaust as the worst forms of genocide but the Rwanda version was far more violent and cruel.
I find it incomprehensible that East Indians in Guyana could have an undying admiration for India. From 1964 to 1992, Indians in this land cried out bitterly that they were discriminated against and India never raised a voice in the UN or elsewhere. Countries that spoke up were places like Canada and the UK. The US directly interceded to secure openly free elections in Guyana.
I come now to the reason for writing this column – the bestial mistreatment of thousands of poor people in the wealthiest country in the world, according to Forbes Magazine. What is taking place in Qatar is beyond comprehension and powerful countries should speak out and not leave it to Europe and the US. More than sixty migrant workers involved in building the structures to host the 2022 football World Cup have died.
They are treated like slaves. They live in slave-like conditions. These people dwell in squalor. Toilet and washing facilities are shared by literally hundreds of workers who live in small rooms that are unfit for humans. These people work in a climate that is normally 55 Celsius. On the hottest day in Guyana we are 32.
India and Bangladesh have the moral obligation to speak up against this inhumanity. Their citizens are dying in Qatar. The important way we in the world can help is by demanding that the World Cup be moved. In any case there seems to be an argument for moving it anyway given the climate. No wife should allow her husband to play in that climate in 2022. Certain football federations are saying that FIFA made a mistake when it awarded Qatar the games.
There is some good news. The Building and Wood Workers International Union based in Switzerland has paid a surprise visit to Qatar and what they found was shockingly incredible. Well, naturally, it was a Western based organization that spoke out. If footballers collapse and die in 2022 in Qatar inhuman weather, look at the governments that will publicize their indignities and anger. I am saying most unambiguously that India, China, Malaysia, Turkey etc will not be among them.
Sometimes it is a bit comical when you look at the rising tide of criticism against American action in the world when the US at least raises its voice and in many instances act. Do you think Brazil or China or India really cares if genocide explodes in Guatemala or Gambia?
China is competing with the Western world for global influence and it begins and ends there. China is not going to get involved in any crusade to save humanity in any region or country where it is threatened. This is the way it thinks.

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