Anne and I have been completely immersed at our daughter’s “parents’ weekend” here at Georgetown University in Washington DC. We have been getting to know her friends, teachers, deans, dorm, campus, and the surrounding neighborhood. She is just energized to learn and surrounded by new friends that will make the environment here even richer.
I don’t think Anne and I have ever wanted anything so much as to see our daughter Jackie get into this great school. It’s funny when you really want something badly and you have no power. We are so thankful she’s here.
While the students were carrying on with their regular class loads, parents were given a chance to sample the professors here. We attended a lecture by a psychology professor (Fathali Moghaddam) called “How Globalization Spurs Terrorism: Challenges for the Next President.” It reminded me how stimulating the university years are. Here’s a peek at my notes:
Threats of globalization hit different societies differently. We fear losing jobs, while many fear losing their culture.
The demands of the global economy (large-scale units) are pitted against the demands of cultural identity, causing anxiety. Thousands of years ago, the logical social unit was a group of around 500 people. Today that number is getting huge (with vast free trade zones). Cultural diversity is the victim. For example, it’s estimated that there were 15,000 languages on the planet 500 years ago. Today there are about 6,000. By 2100, there will be a predicted 2,000. A handful of languages go extinct every year.
Rising material expectations are unrealistic. Everyone wants to be rich as Orange County. That will result in some pushing and shoving.
Today there is greater movement of people and cultural forces without “pre-adaptation.” Groups are getting into contact without a gradual readiness for contact, resulting in more conflict.
“Sacred carriers” become more important to a group when it is under threat. That’s why the Islamic headscarf (symbolizing the traditional position of women in Islamic society, which is threatened by Western culture) is important to fundamentalist Muslims. That’s also why the American flag is most important to Americans who feel their way of life is threatened. We may ask why the scarf is such a bone of contention. They wonder the same about our flag.
Walking back to our Georgetown hotel — on well-worn red-brick sidewalks past stout and lovingly painted two-story buildings, square yet elegant, and kicking blazing golden leaves that just fell — I thought how great it is that Jackie is being exposed to people like professor Moghaddam, who’s from Iran (and who gave us his home phone when I promised him I’d encourage Jackie to consider him). As we walked, we thought Jackie will enjoy what must be one of the best “U districts” in the entire country. M Street and Wisconsin Avenue are a cancan of tempting places to shop, eat, and drink. I wear my little “Hoya Dad” pin with pride and gratitude. And I can only wonder about the fun and learning this school will bring Jackie.