Honestly I think sometimes you are so eager to be offended you just jump at the chance to be up in arms about something without taking the time to consider the actual meaning of what is said.
+1. Moviefreakmind has made some good points which is that it should be okay to criticize certain parts of a culture. The treatment of women in Islam is an example of this. Cultures are fantastic and interesting to learn about and being willing to learn new things from these cultures is what I find is most important.
Yes, but sometimes I think he blamed problems on culture where is should be blamed on the Government.
Maybe not in the specific case of you adopted Chinese niece who I’m sure is an absolutely delightful child (though there are problematic aspects of Chinese culture that have already been adequately pointed out in this thread, which have no relation to the loveliness of your niece.) But at least in the case of Islam the government is simply enforcing the culture (religious ideals) as law.