As the start of the new semester is upon us, I feel it is my duty to prepare those of you who have not taken history here at UT. Get ready to hear about the evil white Christian male and his hundreds of years of responsibility for the plight of every other poor soul in the world. You will be told that the United States of America is a corrupt and wicked nation that imposes its culture on the rest of the helpless third world. Professors will explain to you that all the injustice in the world stems from the policies of the arrogant and imperialistic regime that is The United States. You will hear how the founding fathers were ruthless slave-owners who spoke of freedom only for white males who owned property. Professors here will consistently fall on the extreme left of the political spectrum, and you will be expected to agree with them. Anti-war protestors will shout down prominent speakers like Colin Powell and other rational proponents of using military force. Basically, you will be made to feel guilty for being an American citizen.
Before you are indoctrinated in the socialist propaganda that spews forth from the vitriolic mouths of these so-called teachers, let me enlighten you with some facts. First, The United States of America is the last beacon of freedom, the rule of law, economic prosperity, and hope in the world. Look around the world today, and you will find chaos and despair. In South America, drug lords and guerrillas run the show and corruption in the government is the norm. Do you think you would actually get a fair trial in Mexico? Must I even mention the farce that is government on the continent of Africa? Warlords rule Somalia with automatic weapons and bad attitudes, while ethnic cleansing and racism permeate certain nations in the interior. Slaves are still being bought and sold in North Africa, and Christians are persecuted as vehemently as ever there.
How about the Arabic world? Why do you think we send Al Qaeda prisoners over to Yemen for questioning? It is because while the U.S. refuses to torture human beings, it is common practice in such countries. Women are forbidden to show any skin in many parts of the Middle East. Murder is justified if women engage in sexual relations with men they are not married to. Ever heard of honor killings? If the family of one of these promiscuous girls feels dishonored, they are free to take the life of the despised violator. Stories abound about the quite medieval social norms that persist in the Arabic world. When professors complain about discrimination in the U.S., ask them about the thousand-year-old caste system in India. Ask them about the persecution of the Falun Gong in China, and about forced abortions or freedom of speech in that communist country.
The list of atrocities and corruption that permeate the rest of the world could go on forever. I am merely pointing out some of the better known ones in order to get your brain gears moving. No, the United States has not had a perfect past, but we have progressed to the point of being the most civilized and fair nation on earth. While other nations are still behaving like it is the Middle Ages, the U.S. has led the world into the next millennium. So, as you step inside your History 315K or Gov 310L class, remember that in most of the world, life is short and brutal, while in America, dreams are fulfilled every day. In this country, life expectancy is going up, there is law and order, and there is freedom to pursue happiness.
So before you begin to adhere to those radical tirades that UT professors enjoy giving, think about how your life could be, if for instance, you lived in Saudi Arabia or North Korea. Criticize the government where it is warranted, but don’t forget to appreciate the good things, and don’t forget the bottom line. The U.S. is the nation that millions of people have fled to over the course of the last hundred and fifty years. Many died attempting to escape repressive regimes and terrible living conditions. People come here still, seeking the same opportunities and freedoms that we as a nation have held dear since our inception.