The film that we watched last class gave me a lot to think about. When I saw the image of the woman about to be stoned, I was both angered and disturbed. I saw the fear in her eyes as she was buried half-way in the dirt, women fully covered behind her. I condemn any heinous act such as this, because no one deserves to be murdered so brutally for a crime such as adultery Although I respect the belief that adultery is a severe crime in Muslim nations, I do not agree that the crime should be punishable by death, let alone a way so agonizing.
Seeing that image of inequality makes me think of the documentary Half the Sky that I watched last night. Throughout the globe, women are not being treated fairly. In Sierra Leone, the majority of women will be sexually abused in their lifetime. In Southeast Asia, many poor families keep their daughters from going to school at a young age to earn money and take care of younger siblings. The film stated that women's inequality is an inequality to us all, and I agree. When women are oppressed- physically, emotionally, and mentally, the world misses out on another creative mind. Think of all the ideas the world misses out on when one group of people is discriminated against.
After reading Magda's week four reflection, I do respect the rights of certain countries to have different laws regarding gender. However, it is important that these laws do not damage the ability of a women to feel safe, and respected in her own country. It is up to the women living in the Islamic nations to protest which laws they disagree with, to create a more equal society.
I'm so jealous you got to see the screening! I have read the book multiple times, and it gave my life purpose. I find my views about the topic to be constantly evolving, though. I went to go see Nicholas Kristof talk last month, and I was extremely disappointed with what he had to say. Many of the organizations he and his wife cited in the book are poorly run and corrupt. This saddens me, because although the book is enlightening and inspiring, on some level, it is false advertising.
ReplyDeleteAfter this experience, I was left with a hopeless feeling. If many of these organizations supposedly doing good aren't, then how much are women's issues and rights ameliorating?
Its unfortunate to here about the ineffectiveness of organizations who wish to better society for others. However, I understand why it could be so easy for these organizations to loose credibility. The money has to go a long way from the pockets of Americans to the programs in areas of need. These organizations lack the efficiency needed to ensure that programs are not wasting donators' money. At the same time however, the documentary did mention that change needs to come from within the society. It may take more that organizations to cause change. People must show the government that issues such as child prostitution is unacceptable. As mentioned in class, changes coming from within the society are more beneficial than those that come from the outside. I know that change will come, but I can only hope that this change will occur during our lifetime.
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