Comments on: a woman, like me [part 2]

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:05:17 +0000

“Any man who could watch something like that and condone it and not try to stop it has lost his humanity.”

And there is nothing but silence regarding those who allowed Dua’s execution. After the flurry of articles, the NBC and CNN media attention, and letter writing which has presumably gone unnoticed by recipients, there is nothing but silence.

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:46:57 +0000

When I read it reminds me alot of northen european/[rus]vikings/russian regular sacrifice of women back in the old days,only here the arabs were observing it and making accounts with some distance and shock.Funny now how history repeats itself and swaps.

http://www.uib.no/jais/v003ht/03-001-025Montgom1.htm

By: Anita

Anita — Tue, 08 May 2007 22:31:39 +0000

Goodness knows I’m not going to defend the British empire. And at this point in history I’m not sure what our (American) values are.

By: Vol Abroad

Vol Abroad — Tue, 08 May 2007 20:37:50 +0000

But I do agree that we cannot impose our Western feminist ideals on the women in the Middle East. Meaningful change must come from within.

I don’t agree…entirely. There are lots of things about the West that we shouldn’t impose on others, but some things like due process, individual civil rights and just not doing things like what happend to D’ua are important values that we should share.

A lot of blame can put at the feet of the British empire, but they did at least bring a sense of the rule of law and ended – by force often – such despicable non-Western practices as suttee

Of course, the sad thing about the current situation in Iraq – and in my opinion the saddest thing – is that we’re in absolutely no position to preach positive Western values when we’re not upholding them ourselves.

By: Anita

Anita — Mon, 07 May 2007 20:56:20 +0000

http://www.globalfundforwomen.org/cms/

A friend recommended support of this organization as a way to reach women internationally.

By: Anglofille

Anglofille — Mon, 07 May 2007 14:42:47 +0000

I like this quote, SpliceGirl:

Our technology information obsessed 21st century culture thirsts for INFORMATION but not for FEELING. We cocoon ourselves into safety by accepting what the media outlets WANT to serve us because we know that once we feel the pain and horror of something like the tragic death of D’ua we may be tempted to get off our asses and do something.

By: Anglofille

Anglofille — Mon, 07 May 2007 14:34:18 +0000

I don’t think any of us can really imagine what these women’s lives are like. In Dua’s town, the police force stood by and did nothing as a teenage girl was stoned to death. So not only are these women not safe from their own male relatives, they have *no one* to turn to for help. Most of us can probably not even imagine what this is like in our worst nightmares. So I don’t think we can expect them to act in an empowered way. In many parts of the world, women are told they are nothing but garbage. I’m sure if you’re told that enough, you start to believe it.

That said, there are lots of feminist groups in the Middle East. In this Kurdish region of Iraq, protesters are taking to the streets over this brutal killing. Both women and men are standing up and making their voices heard. So that is a positive step.

But I do agree that we cannot impose our Western feminist ideals on the women in the Middle East. Meaningful change must come from within. But what we can do is put pressure on these governments to pass laws that protect women and then uphold these laws. If that framework is in place, women will feel more comfortable speaking out. We can also support women’s groups in the Middle East and give them the resources they need to do their courageous work.

By: jen

jen — Mon, 07 May 2007 13:57:51 +0000

adding: ooops, probably shouldn’t have used “dog” as an example… but you get my meaning.

By: jen

jen — Mon, 07 May 2007 13:27:49 +0000

I’m not willing to lay more blame at the feet of the women than at the feet of the men who carried it out.

Who’s more at fault? The dog who is beaten and doesn’t bite back? Or the one beating the dog?

Ultimately, to my mind, the latter.

By: Anita

Anita — Mon, 07 May 2007 12:08:59 +0000

This issue of whether or not to show the footage is an interesting one. There was intense debate among networks and laypersons on whether or not NBC should have shown the video tape of Cho. The jury is still out although the deed is done, but the thinking against it is that showing the video gave Cho the platform he was seeking. To a lesser extent, people talked about how the images might encourage someone else the way that Columbine was cited as a model for Cho. I’m not sure on which side I fall — I could not watch the video tape and to this day have not viewed the photos of Emmitt Till — but such opinions do give one things to think about.

Regarding the statement that women let it happen, that made me cringe and yet I think I understand. Now that women are being mobilized in parts of Africa to say no to female mutilation, the practice is gaining notice in the world community and I understand is beginning to slow.

“Resistence is the secret of Joy” Alice Walker