Huntington and the Clash of Civilizations.

So i just had this discussion in class about this article.
So Huntington simplifies people too much, damning their beings to an internal cultural prison of non-autonomous thought and action.

I think we simplify Huntington too much.

There IS a clash of civilization in my opinion, just not in the way that we see it to be. Not in the violent clash of arms and anger, but in the latent attitudes, subconscious understanding and globally socialized norms within which we function. Sure perhaps it will never escalate into a full-fledged global war based on intrinsic cultural differences, but it has weighty implications none the less.

"People don't define themselves that way."

How can we assume that people don't when we're the dominant group here? In Singapore, I don't think of my chineseness. But here in Canada, I am distinctly aware of my race. Despite me being nationalistically Canadian, being unable to speak the chinese language, being a part of the Christain faith, and dating a white guy.

I am Chinese.

We cannot say that people do not define themselves by their race or culture when we are not in a position that requires us to do so.

With the rise of globalization, yes we will converge. Yes technology and communication will give rise to a global culture. But simultaniously, it will make bring up cultural differences in stark and cutting ways. We are different.

I won't fight for my race, I will fight for my faith, I won't fight for Singapore or Canada, I won't do a lot of things for what ought to define me.

But it doesn't mean that I do not approach things from a distinctly different angle.

I can't ask for anything pertaining to that. I just am.