Speaking of NYT's attentiveness to the tribal form (see
reading #12), this NYT op-ed shows an early grasp of tribalism: Kenan Malik's
"Britain’s Dangerous New Tribalism" (2015).
It was written in the wake of jihadi attacks that were
followed by rising tensions between Muslim and non-Muslim (not to mention
anti-Muslim) Britons. Yet, Malik is intent on pointing out, the hostility
toward Muslims was not relentless, for in many ways Muslim and non-Muslim
communities were getting along well enough in Britain.
Here's what he says, after reviewing recent trends and
incidents:
"All this might suggest a
nation polarized between alienated Muslims and non-Muslims hostile to Islam.
The reality is otherwise. What is striking about the past decade is not
conflict between Muslims and non-Muslims, but the relative ease with which
different communities have got along. …
"While anti-Muslim hatred is
certainly present, there is by no means a climate of “relentless hostility”
toward Muslims."
In light of this reassuring observation, Malik next explores
why matters stay so polarized anyway. He attributes this, on the one hand, to
value-loaded political rhetoric and harsh counter-terrorism measures from the
top, and on the other hand, to a growing disaffected politics of identity at
mass levels of society — and to how these top and bottom dynamics reactively
reinforce each other. At least that's what I think he is saying.
Here's an excerpt:
"So, if in practice Muslims
and non-Muslims coexist relatively peaceably, how do we explain the
polarization in attitudes? Why do so many non-Muslim Britons regard Islam as a
threat, while so many Muslims yearn for Shariah law? …
"Politicians constantly call
for a defense of British values against extremism. But beyond platitudes about
liberal democracy, they find it hard to articulate what those values are. At
the same time, these leaders constantly undermine fundamental liberal values in
the name of fighting terrorism: They have increased state surveillance,
restricted free speech and banned certain organizations.
"Meanwhile, a growing
disaffection with mainstream politics among Muslims and non-Muslims alike has found
expression in a politics of identity, which encourages people to understand
their problems through the narrow lenses of culture and faith. The overall
result is that people see values less as ideals than in terms of identity. For
many non-Muslims, for example, the idea of Shariah conjures images of Islamic
State beheadings or the oppression of women. For many Muslims, supporting
Shariah may mean no more than an affirmation of identity."
In conclusion, Malik says the persistence of rancorous
hostility derives from "the emergence of a tribalized society". That
limits how people can go about having a sense of identity and belonging. It
also increases the probability that disaffected people will end up becoming
more tribalized, in one direction or the opposite.
"The real problem is neither
Muslim disloyalty nor rampant Islamophobia. It is, rather, the emergence of a
tribalized society in which people have an increasingly narrow sense of
belonging. At the fringes, this can funnel disaffection into jihadism on one
hand, and into anti-Muslim hatred on the other.
"Britain is not divided into
warring camps, as some would have it. But the consequences of tribalism can be
devastating."
Malik's is a pertinent insightful op-ed. I'm pleased it's in
my folder. Yet it's flow of logic about tribalism leaves me a little puzzled.
If he is saying that polarization, the politics of identity, etc., have led to
tribalism, well, OK, in a way. But that's very close to saying that the
attributes of tribalism cause tribalism — which verges on being a tautology.
However, if he is saying that how people talk and act can make a big difference
for how tribal they become toward each other, then I say bravo. At least he has
a disposition toward fine-grain analysis that offers some encouragement and
promise that malignant tribalism will not carry the day in Britain.
To read for yourself, go here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/11/opinion/kenan-malik-britains-dangerous-new-tribalism.html
[I posted an earlier write-up of this reading on my Facebook
page, on April 16.]
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