Identity, Authority and Freedom; The Potentate and the Traveler by Said Edward W - Essay Example

English Essay Submitted Critical Response Essay Introduction: The text is about a very interesting yet debatable topic in which author has raised a very important and critical point of concern regarding academic freedom which he believes poses great challenges to the curriculum being taught in different parts of the world. He believes that the missing element of criticism which is lacking in academies or educational institutes in most parts of the world is something that needs to be added to academic life to resolve issues of politics which include race, gender, religion, national identity and culture.

The fact is, that most people are convicted of stereotyping, being ethnocentric, geocentric or faced with a national superiority or a supremacy over other cultures (Said, 2005). Analysis and Evaluation The problem highlighted by the author here relates to identity, authority and freedom of speech and expression in the world in general. The fact that, nothing in this world is seen in isolation but is relative to other things or dependent on other elements such as culture, religion, geographic similarity, religion, nationality or politics.

In light of social sciences and humanities, the author considers race, gender, ethnicity and religion as political factors that hinder learning and knowledge at all levels especially in the academia which is suffering from a lack of academic freedom as the author terms it. He believes that academics forms a basis of what the students would later be like once they leave the academic institute and the social, political and general environment is what defines their future and how they deal with adversities.

The realities of social life are bitter but a lot of it can improve if academic culture is transformed. It needs to not teach about a specific dominant culture and its superiority but it needs to teach people about other cultures and nationalities, about developing tolerance and appreciation for others, about learning what other religions, races and geographically diverse ethnic groups are about. The author argues over the lack of democratic rights, free press and a missing feeling of wellbeing exists in places like Saudi Arabia, too full of their national pride and religious superiority.

In comparison to Arabia, the American academy is seen to be more liberal and diverse, giving the feeling of confidence and freedom to those who belong there. The difference is vast and it is what creates disparities amongst people at a late stage. The argument is in favor of a liberal form of enhanced academic freedom which can help solve problems like national and cultural intolerance, ethnocentricity and stereotyping. In today’s global world, just like the author, many people are part of dual or tri nationalities having different experiences everywhere yet facing many problems in the context of identity, authority and freedom.

The author’s choice of words and statements is assertive yet not offensive at all. He has adopted a very neutral style of writing not aiming to demean any particular culture or people but mentioning fact and figures regarding certain observations and literature review that he has conducted for this purpose. His experience and observation have created the grounds on which he has laid the foundation of the text written. Furthermore, he has made an effort to provide suitable and relevant unbiased examples to support his claims.

Conclusion In my personal opinion, the author does have a very valid concern regarding the need for transformation in academics and the justifications that he provides to support his argument. It is true that the social and political scenario cannot be improved on a massive scale at a later stage of a person’s life but his academic years are the point where the focus of students can be converged towards whatever the academic environment wants brings in them. They should be taught to become tolerant, patient, appreciative and neutral bout other people in terms of culture, religion, economic disparity, and geographical distances and be unbiased most importantly.

They should be taught to judge other people not on the basis of politics or social and cultural differences but on the basis of real intelligence and truthful evaluation of individuals. Academic health can help them become better people, become more confident and feel in themselves a freedom of speech and expression. They can learn to respect all other people, be loyal to themselves and others and be more open to things like national identity or forcefully imposing the superiority of their identity on others.

Bibliography Said, Edward W. "Identity, Authority and Freedom; The Potentate and the Traveler." Transition Position (2005).