# Fuck respecting cultural differences! Basic human rights are real! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 1, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460 "2010-06-01T04:04:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/1 "2010-06-01T04:04:54Z")
Being the good liberal that I am, I understand the importance of respecting the fact that, strange as it may seem, not everyone secretly wants to live like an American. Societies and cultures can be profoundly different, and it’s critically important to remain sensitive to that. Having said that, I say also that there is such a thing as basic human rights. These include the right not to have your genitals maimed, and the right not to be forced to submit to rape, cook, clean and bear the children of your rapist, and be forced to call him your husband. And if you seize your right by fleeing the rape, you have a right not to be [beaten](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/world/asia/31flogging.html) for doing so. Jesus fucking christ sometimes I can’t help it… I think certain areas of the world could be bombed into oblivion and the human race would be none the worse for it. And I am so FUCKING tired of women taking the brunt of human cruelty, oppression, violence and abuse and having it tolerated as in any way acceptable, much less promoted by religion and government. FUCK. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/2 "2010-06-01T04:23:32Z")
Who knew standing up for basic human rights would be such a controversial position, eh? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/3 "2010-06-01T04:24:51Z")
Most anthropologists and sociologists would agree. I don’t think any agree that all cultures are equal, just that there should be as little judgment as possible when studying them. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/4 "2010-06-01T04:27:11Z")
The thing is, the idea of promoting multiculturalism as a favorable thing is (AFAIK) a uniquely Western conceit. Every other traditional society out there paints the world in stark terms of “us” vs. “them”, with “us” at the center of the universe. ---
**Author:** ![statsman1982](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/5 "2010-06-01T04:35:59Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Jesus fucking christ sometimes I can’t help it… I think certain areas of the world could be bombed into oblivion and the human race would be none the worse for it. I have a thread going on right now about how not all massive losses of life are unmitigated tragedies… ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/6 "2010-06-01T04:54:58Z")
Somehow I knew it would be an Islamic culture when I read the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/7 "2010-06-01T04:56:54Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Every other traditional society out there paints the world in stark terms of “us” vs. “them”, with “us” at the center of the universe. Wait, what? Every other traditional society puts us at the center of the universe! How awesome is that! Pardon me, I’m going to go sit for a spell in the Total Perspective Vortex. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/8 "2010-06-01T05:10:34Z")
I thought [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=papljETbOdc) was fascinating. It has to do with Chechnya’s new Russia-supported dictator. He’s being accused of all kinds of human rights violations. Among his critics is a stern old British diplomat (Lord Judd) who, in no uncertain terms, strongly supports basic human rights and condemns governments who violate them. He expresses strongly-worded concern about Ramzan Kadyrov’s government. The first caller is some schmuck who starts making excuses. “Lord Judd doesn’t understand our culture”. Savage. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/9 "2010-06-01T05:12:54Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Jesus fucking christ sometimes I can’t help it… I think certain areas of the world could be bombed into oblivion and the human race would be none the worse for it. Yes, let’s fight the lack of basic human rights by forcibly taking away one of those rights (life), not just from the abusers, but also the victims. This may be the first time I’ve felt I needed to use this: :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/10 "2010-06-01T05:31:33Z")
Congratulations, you have taken a stand against moral relativism. How original. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/11 "2010-06-01T06:10:23Z")
My rule of thumb when thinking about this kind of thing, is that cultural differences should be respected when they don’t hurt someone against their will. I know, I know, a courageous stand. But that’s where I draw the line. ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/12 "2010-06-01T06:50:49Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > And I am so FUCKING tired of women taking the brunt of human cruelty, oppression, violence and abuse a… Yes, because we all know that women are far more likely to be the victim of violent crime, far more likely to be multilated, far more likely to be maimed, far more likely to be incarcerated, far more likely to be ill and far more likely to suffer almost any other effect of cruelty, oppression, violence and abuse. Oh, hang on. That’s a load of horseshit. \*Men \*are far more lieky to be the victim of all those things. But never let the facts get in the way of a good sexist rant.:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/13 "2010-06-01T08:16:50Z")
> [@Blake](#): > > Yes, because we all know that women are far more likely to be the victim of violent crime, far more likely to be multilated, far more likely to be maimed, far more likely to be incarcerated, far more likely to be ill and far more likely to suffer almost any other effect of cruelty, oppression, violence and abuse. > Oh, hang on. That’s a load of horseshit. \*Men \*are far more lieky to be the victim of all those things. > > But never let the facts get in the way of a good sexist rant.:rolleyes: Come on, women have been second class citizens when they were not outright chattel property for most of history. Forbidden to own property, participate in government, stand up for themselves in court actions … keep the proceeds of their own labor. Hell, up in to the 70s and 80s in America women couldn’t refuse to have sex with their husbands, rape was just fine within the bounds of marriage. Women got paid less for the same jobs. There is still a glass ceiling in many industries. If a woman likes sex, she is a slut, if she has an executive position, she must have slept her way to the top. ---
**Author:** ![Lunchy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Lunchy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lunchy)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/14 "2010-06-01T08:30:26Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Come on, women have been second class citizens when they were not outright chattel property for most of history. Forbidden to own property, participate in government, stand up for themselves in court actions … keep the proceeds of their own labor. Hell, up in to the 70s and 80s in America women couldn’t refuse to have sex with their husbands, rape was just fine within the bounds of marriage. Women got paid less for the same jobs. There is still a glass ceiling in many industries. If a woman likes sex, she is a slut, if she has an executive position, she must have slept her way to the top. I have sex, and i’m a man whore. I have no problem admitting it. Too bad we all couldn’t! ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/15 "2010-06-01T08:33:00Z")
Unless the OP has some personal investment in this incident the rant is discolored by her anger. I like the OP and have for many years but suggesting obliterating many innocents does not make for a higher ground as stated below: > [@](#): > > Jesus fucking christ sometimes I can’t help it… I think certain areas of the world could be bombed into oblivion and the human race would be none the worse for it. Also I’d need to see a cite that it is women that bear the brunt of mankinds cruelty. That said, yes the linked story is awful and women in that part of the world are generally treated as second class citizens. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/16 "2010-06-01T11:47:53Z")
But let’s not go crazy and add basic human rights for unborn women, ok? ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/17 "2010-06-01T11:54:08Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Come on, women have been second class citizens when they were not outright chattel property for most of history. Most men have been second class citizens throughout history. Kings and Lords were as much unrepresentative of the average man as Queen Elizabeth I was as unrepresentative of the average woman. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/18 "2010-06-01T13:13:46Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Having said that, I say also that there is such a thing as basic human rights. These include the right not to have your genitals maimed, and the right not to be forced to submit to rape, cook, clean and bear the children of your rapist, and be forced to call him your husband. Unless you’re hooked into that god fix I don’t see how one can even speak about universal human rights without collapsing in laughter. Are these rights inscribed on golden plates beyond the veil? Do we need seer stones to decrypt them? > [@Bricker](#): > > But let’s not go crazy and add basic human rights for unborn women, ok? Whether he meant to or not, Bricker shatters the concept of human rights in a single line right here. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/19 "2010-06-01T13:14:28Z")
> [@Stoid](#): > > Jesus fucking christ sometimes I can’t help it… I think certain areas of the world could be bombed into oblivion and the human race would be none the worse for it. I’m sure the victims of these forced marriages and whippings will be delighted to discover that being blown up was the pot of gold at the end of their rainbow. ---
**Author:** ![Camus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ba8739/32.png) [@Camus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Camus)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460/20 "2010-06-01T13:17:36Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > But let’s not go crazy and add basic human rights for unborn women, ok? Yes, but only for unborn female fetuses. If we start talking about any other kinds of fetuses, we would get into total threadshit territory instead of this partial threadshit area. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-respecting-cultural-differences-basic-human-rights-are-real/541460.md?page=2)