After destroying whole nations by deploying the doctrine of Shock and Awe and long-term occupation, we have the temerity to call the vanquished peoples uncivilised. If you have believed the racist propaganda about the people from that region, I suggest you familiarise yourself with their rich cultures, ancient and modern.
This thought occurs to me as I sit down to code this afternoon, headphones in my ears, the rhythm to which I type the most beautiful Arabic songs — completely secular, about love, for yes they love, and passionately too. The peoples of those lands are of many faiths, many ethnicities, with many dreams and aspirations.
It pains me that here at home we have only one overriding depiction of the people of these lands: that of the barbarian. What a horrible injustice. Yes, these the thoughts that occur to me, as I listen to these lyrics, the backdrop to an afternoon’s work. They were meant to block out distractions, but instead bestow these pervasive thoughts.
Last modified: 14 December 2022
