I have imperialistic tendencies. I'm not a racist, at least not on a biological level. I am FIRMLY against discrimination based on race, given that I am of mixed race myself (Chinese/English). But I am also a scientist and a great believer in technology, rationalism, the scientific process and logic.
I am conflicted. On one hand, I am aware that there are no "simple" cultures. But on the other hand, I am firmly of the belief that many of the world's cultures are downright stupid, irrational and should be done away with. I find the Native American belief that they were created separately from the rest of humanity to be just as disgusting and downright ignorant as Literary Christian Creationism. I find many aspects of Saudi Arabian culture to be downright terrifying to me. I find very little of worth when I example Indigenous Australian cultures, which seem to be stuck in a period more primitive than the bronze age. I find many aspects of traditional (thankfully most extinct) Chinese culture to be distasteful or barbaric (foot binding for one).
I am of the firm belief that a secular, scientifically based culture would be best for the entire world, and I secretly believe that using force to achieve it might not be a bad thing. I believe in science and mathematics and technology above all, and I am incredibly disdainful of any culture, from any race or country that does not support science or technology or secularization.
I know that many people would consider my beliefs to be incredibly racist. I agree that I am "culturalist" and I have a tendency towards imperialism and a thirst for ABSOLUTE ORDER AT ANY PRICE. But I am just as critical of Western Culture (what with its fascination with celebrities, paranormal nonsense and religion) as any other culture. I don't see myself as racist, but I CANNOT hypocritically condemn nonsense such as John Edward's "I can see dead people" yet not criticize nonsense such as the belief that "Animal Spirits" exist or that if a woman so much as touches a didgeridoo (which is essentially a hollowed-out piece of tree, hardly a technological marvel) that they'll become sterile! It's fashionable on the left, even ENCOURAGED, to point out the illogical, unscientific beliefs that many white people have (and there are many), yet among those on the Left it's also COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE to criticize EXACTLY THE SAME nonsense in any other culture.
So while I might be a sneering, closet imperialist and while I might secretly wish for the domination of science, mathematics and secularization over all, and the creation of a technocratic society in which WE are in CHARGE, I am an equal opportunity culture basher. It doesn't matter what race you are, or where you come from - I will almost certainly find something in your culture to complain about.
Of all the nations that currently exist, I find myself most closely aligned with the current Chinese Government. I don't like a lot of their practices, but they did raise hundreds of millions from poverty and they are firmly focused on technology as a solver of problem. They get things done. I'm not a fan of the old Chinese Culture, of which my Grandmother suffered a lot under. I'm actually glad that most of the old Chinese Culture is dead - and it should STAY dead. I am also aware that the Chinese Government is deeply flawed - they aren't flexible enough, for one, and they are not open to modification which means that they are not equipped to deal with every situation. Politically, I am a supporter of democracy. I'm just saying on a personal level, in terms of personal belief, I share much in common with the current Chinese PRC government, with their commitment to development, engineering, science, and SECULARIZATION AT ANY PRICE. Secularization is good. It's the best thing to happen. Of course, the current Chinese Government is also cruel, corrupt, inflexible, hard-nosed, stubborn and in many ways evil (they still torture people), and I sincerely wish that in the next 30 to 40 years the Chinese people will replace them with a more moderate government. But they have gotten things done. Not the OLD communist leaders, like Mao, who were just as insane and illogical as any religious leader, but the current crop of Chinese Leaders who are far saner and sensible and technically accomplished.
I will just never say that in public because I know what people would think of me. They'll call me a racist. It's not racist to point out that all people are human, and all humans are deeply flawed. There are no perfect cultures. NO ONE, NO RACE should be "above" criticism. I am equally scornful of Christianity as I am of Orthodox Judaism and as I am of Islam or Paganism or Shinto or Buddhism (which really isn't any more sane than any other religion).
Once again - I'm done my share of genetics. I've done my share of molecular biology. I am fully aware (how can I not be given my ancestry) that ALL races are biologically equal. We're all equally human, all of us. But that means we're equally foolish, equally prone to superstition, backwards-thinking and illogical beliefs. Being equally human means we are ALL EQUALLY flawed. And it's hypocritical to point out the flaws of one culture and not the flaws of others, and believe me, they're all flawed. All of them.
