Ian Pitchford wrote:
>Spiked
>
>Article28 May 2002
>All cultures are not equal
>
>by Kenan Malik
>
>'I denounce European colonialism', wrote CLR James. 'But I respect the
learning
>and profound discoveries of Western civilisation.' (1)
>
>James was one of the great radicals of the twentieth century, an
>anti-imperialist, a superb historian of black struggles, a Marxist who
remained
>one even when it was no longer fashionable to be so. But today, James'
defence
>of 'Western civilisation' would probably be dismissed as Eurocentric, even
>racist.

James did not defend "Western civilization" in the terms that Spiked
On-Line does. James was deeply involved with European literature, but had
no use for imperialism and colonialism. Spike's ploy in quoting James in
this fashion is to make him appear friendly to their cause, for when they
speak of "Western civilization", they mean nuclear power, assimilation of
indigenous peoples, McDonalds, genetically modified food, etc. You can find
this on their lunatic website along with a defense of fox-hunting,
unprotected sex and all the other nostrums of this ex-Marxist cult around
sociology professor Frank Furedi.

Louis Proyect
Marxism mailing list: http://www.marxmail.org