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May 22, 2005
Worth Reading
This is not, strictly speaking, about terrorism, but a literary journey into the world that foments it. While there are numerous studies showing that terrorism is not sparked by poverty (indeed, many al Qaeda terrorists come from intact, middle class families who lavished money for education on their sons), but by alienation.
Alienation is very real, keenly felt—and all but ignored by the elites who scoff that the whole idea of assimilation is oppressive. Without assimilation, you have alienation, a deep feeling of rejection by society coupled with a building sense of powerlessness. This can be a lethal combination, as any student of the life of Mohammed Atta knows. As you will see, Down the Street, Worlds Away is similar in theme to the British hit film Bend It Like Beckham. Sounds like it too would make a powerful film, if some Hollywood exec had the guts to make it.
Posted by Richard Miniter at May 22, 2005 04:35 PM