Some more equal than others?

An very helpful angle being played here by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, author of Infidel and Nomad. Her perspective is that while individuals are equal, not all cultures are. While people all must be treated as having rights, the same ought not to be said for all cultures.

I like the fact that she cuts against the grain of a unilateral deification of tolerance in western culture. She points out that citing 'cultural tolerance' is no justification for supporting a culture that promotes human rights abuse. She'd prefer all cultures to be equally up for critique.

Now, I'm not sure I agree with everything she says, but the principle of individual rights over and against the right for a culture to exist seems to me to have something going for it. How can you claim to protect individuals and at the same time protect a culture that abuses them?

NB. This post is not a shot at any culture in particular, but a protest that we all ought to open ourselves up to the examination of others.