Abstract

For Their Own Good

The author discusses the dangers of colonialism, especially the context of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. One of my favorite little films is a satirical documentary titled "Babakiueria." It is a polemic against the hubris of colonialism and the sad toll inflicted by those who presume to improve the lot of others without consent, participation or cultural understanding of those others. Recently, the American-led administration in Iraq planted a new flag for the Iraqi people. It was designed without widespread input and displaces the old flag--which predated Saddam Hussein. Iraqi citizens were surprised, disgruntled. We Americans like new brands, fresh labels. Not so in every corner of the world. There is nothing "collateral" about the disruption of daily life and the untold deaths of civilians. We must re-evaluate the "liberation" we are wreaking, the "assistance" we are waging, the "pounding" we are delivering for failure to cooperate. We need to know the real size of this enterprise, for the blowback of grief will be thusly proportioned. I desperately hope I am wrong, but I think our current policies are heightening the risk of global explosion. This course is wrong. We may indeed win the test of "will" or "resolve." But if we have to "flatten" Falluja or Baghdad or Najaf in the process, we will fail the real test: of credibility, of moral high ground, of humanity and of history.