Western Civilization transformed the world through reason, freedom, progress, individualism, ingenuity, and the great experiment known as America. America is not all good, but we're losing what is good because we're afraid to claim it. As though somehow it's shameful to honor such an imperfect country. But the beauty of America is that we're founded on perfect ideals. And as short of those ideals as we sometimes fall, we never stop striving to attain them. That's what we need to honor. That's what we don't want to lose.
- Yes, we had slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation. We also had the Civil Rights Movement, possible only in Western culture because we value critical self-reflection and progress.
- Yes, we had rapacious capitalism, Robber Barons, and child labor. We also have capitalism that has lifted more people out of poverty than any other system ever invented.
- Yes, we had legal racism, sexism, and homophobia. We also have human rights that, once attained, are never lost, unlike non-Western cultures where human rights--if they exist--are always fragile.
In Nothing to Apologize For: The Truth About Western Civilization, Donna Carol Voss makes the case for Western civilization and especially for America, its pearl of great price. It is a clear-eyed love letter that gives us a chance to ask,
ARE WE REALLY READY TO LOSE WHAT WE HAVE LEFT OF WESTERN CULTURE?
DO WE REALLY REALIZE WHAT THAT WILL MEAN?
It's not too late. Yet.
Voss, Donna Carol: - Donna Carol Voss is hard to describe. From charm school to Berkeley to Mormon, she has lived in many worlds. From hot mess to self-disciplined (except for Krispy Kremes) career woman to adoptive mom, she has lived many lives. From rap music to Tarot cards to salsa dancing, she has had many loves. She can talk to almost anyone about anything, and what she's not familiar with, she's fascinated by. She came to writing purely by accident after being a stay-at-home mom for 10 years. The taste of being her own boss-deciding for herself whether to do the laundry that day and when to eat the bonbons-made an office job extremely unappealing. She'd never written anything but letters, written warnings, and obituaries but felt compelled to explore something she had always loved. Fast forward four years, and Donna is the published author of three books (the latest co-authored with Brian Peyton Joyner). Her fourth book will be released July 04, 2017. Donna writes for The Federalist, The Blaze, and The Huffington Post; her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Religion News Service, and The Orlando Sentinel. On her own site she publishes a variety of articles on politics, acerbic observations on life, funny interactions with trolls, travel adventures that must be read to be believed, and her personal musings on Faith every Sunday. Writing led to radio and television appearances, the latter of which she enjoys but the former of which render her virtually euphoric. Real-time discussion of ideas, challenges from detractors, and humorous banter are her happy place. So much so that she now hosts her own podcast. (Note: "Now" is to be understood loosely, as in "now that her fourth book is finished, she'll get right on it.") On a personal note, her mom said she thinks too much and parents like Captain von Trapp without the whistle. Her ex-husband said he wanted somebody with the volume turned down next time. Her best girlfriend said the only thing that makes her tolerable is that she's as hard on herself as she is on everyone else. Her 21 year old son says she could scare the devil himself, which is surely an exaggeration. Her 14 year old son says she is annoying, likes cheese, and is a good writer. He plugs his ears when she sings. Her 18 year old daughter says .... well ... that depends on the day. And her husband Cary, the only man she could ever see herself with in the eternities, says she is crazy for sticking around this long and the love of his life. She says she's never been happier.
