As I watched the interview between him and Piers Morgan, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the exchange of ideas and the reflection it prompted. It was a conversation that delved deep into the complexities of how the West perceives the East, or vice versa. One striking realization that Bassem made was the idea that the West often views the East as ‘lesser’ human beings, a categorization that goes beyond notions of first, second, or third world countries. This resonated with me deeply, and it left me pondering about the profound implications of this divide in our world.
The interview shed light on the concept of a stark divide in how different parts of the world perceive one another. It’s not just a matter of economic or social status; it’s a classification of humanity itself. The idea that there’s a ‘lesser humanity’ is disheartening and raises questions about how we can bridge this gap.
Bassem Youssef’s brilliance shone through in the interview, and I particularly admired how he seized every opportunity to send essential messages. One such instance was when he held up an olive from the West Bank. With that simple act, he highlighted the tragic reality that Israel had uprooted 800,000 olive trees that had thrived for over 600 years.
This notion of a ‘lesser humanity’ led me to a unique analogy. I found myself contemplating how my dog feels. Do they want me to treat them as a fellow human, or do they prefer to be acknowledged as the animal they are? Just as I sometimes struggle to define my relationship with my dog, we grapple with understanding our relationships with people from different parts of the world; becasue they seem simple to see us differently!
Recently, some Israeli officials have made strikingly direct and derogatory descriptions about Palestinians, labeling them as ‘human monsters’ and ‘human animals.’ These dehumanizing statements are not isolated incidents, and they perpetuate a harmful narrative that further deepens the divide.
I vividly recall an experience from two decades ago when I was traveling via the Allenby Bridge. I refused to use the VIP service (not anymore), believing that it deepened differences and limited services to those who could afford it. As I looked around, I was struck by how people were treated, first by Jordanian officials and later by the Israelis. The treatment I observed was inhuman, akin to treating people like cattle with a shepherd disciplining them in a line.
At that moment, I couldn’t help but wonder if Israel believed some secret about Palestinians, as if we were not considered fully human, and they took us in a bargain.
The interview with Bassem Youssef and Piers Morgan, and the subsequent reflections it triggered, are a reminder of the need for empathy and mutual understanding in our world that is completely absent.
However, bridging this absence and combating stereotypes and biases require open and respectful dialogue. The interview between Bassem and Piers serves as an excellent example of how two individuals from different backgrounds can engage in constructive conversation. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that this divide is not about perceptions of ideas but perceptions of a different set of humanity, one that is considered lesser and one that is considered better.