Cultural Diplomacy: The Humanizing Factor

Abstract

Former Defense Secretary William Perry’s comments after attending the ground-breaking concert by the New York Philharmonic in Pyongyang (February 26, 2008) capture the essential power of cultural diplomacy. To paraphrase the Nigerian author Wole Soyinka (2000), “culture humanizes while politics demonizes.” Through its capacity to move and persuade audiences, and to shape and reveal identities, creative expression has the potential to increase understanding and respect between disparate cultures and peoples. This is not a trivial concern; the reverse produces catastrophic results. Lack of respect and understanding lies at the core of the most threatening conflict today, that between the West and the Muslim world.¹

You cannot demonize people when you’re sitting there listening to their music. You don’t go to war with people unless you demonize them first.