A Roast of America

I enjoyed reading Sayyid Qutb, “The America I Have Seen”, because of the perspective it offers. Frankly, I found most of it comical (especially the seemingly outraged and befuddled bit when he wonders why football is called football if you rarely use your feet–fair point), but parts I found rather sad. It was troubling to find that Qutb got the impression that America had thrown away morality, religion, and peace in exchange for a large GDP and an impression of world domination (reminded me a bit of God’s Grandeur, by Gerard Manly Hopkins).

While I don’t think this is completely true, I was saddened by the element of truth in Qutb’s assessment of America’s closing of “the windows to faith in religion…and faith in spiritual values altogether”. Certainly, these values are present in America, and many churches, non-profits, and most importantly, in people. But I could easily see how Qutb could remark that America has its priorities a bit out of order, particularly in how the government cares, or at times neglects, those most vulnerable.

The prioritization of these essential elements is rather far from the truth at a university that offers fully-funded degrees to learn more about the Catholic faith to serve the Church and the world, whether ministerially or academically. But it is important that we look outside the Notre Dame bubble for perspective; some friends who have told their families that they are going to serve the Church have sadly received remarks like, “Well, there goes a private education down the drain”, which reflects the problematic prioritization Qutb speaks of here.

I’d be curious though to hear Qutb’s remarks on Egypt and how he saw its role in the world.