"The Arab/Muslim man is obsessed with something called honour. And that concept is open to flexible interpretation, dependent on territory. Yes, and some women to their detriment are as well," says Mahmood:
What is it? Honour is defined by religions and cultures. In essence, culturally at least, it is the prevention of shame or loss of face to a person, tribe or even a country. In the Arab culture specifically it is tied to those unmentionable beings: women, who have been put on this earth purely to make man's life miserable. For in our culture, it is the man's duty to ensure that his female relatives “behave” themselves. Dress properly, don't talk or be seen by the other sex, stay at home, if on the odd chance they have to leave the house they have to get permission and be chaperoned, keep away from other men, and not look directly at one, and most importantly, not to have any extra-marital sex. If that woman is seen to be enjoying herself -- even by as much as a hint of smile on her face at life in public, someone's honour will be compromised.
To me the F1 Grand Prix was a gift from heaven, it was three days of pure joy, how better to celebrate it than record instances of happiness on women's faces? Does any of those pictures posted (and some since removed) portray anything but innocent pleasure? Even wonder that we have pulled such an event off with panache?
Well, yes . . . We were on to this way back when: Is that all it really comes down to? A man's fear of his own feelings towards women? Not to mention the Bible: The woman made me do it, Lord . . . Reminds us of the Democrats of our day . . . always someone else's fault.
And yes, Mahmood, we draw your attention to The importance of being noticed. We say it again: The denial of "life's dark side in ourselves" is the key to what's wrong with the utopianist left world view.
Misogyny is not unique to Arab world. Would that it were! Witness the "double standard" still alive and well in the so-called female-friendly US of A. Virginity/purity/whatever you want to call it is still a prized quality women are expected to possess. A man with an active sex life is fine; a woman with an active sex life is a... well, you know what. A man who is powerful in the business world is a tycoon. A woman who is powerful in the business world is a... well, you know what. But beyond these unfair labels women must endure, is the truly frightening male anger that unleashes itself against women but receives the benign label, "domestic violence." About 10 years ago, I began taking note each time I read about a man who had killed his wife or girlfriend... usually because she was breaking up with him, divorcing him or otherwise attempting to disengage herself from him. I have literally lost count over the years. It is absoloutely pervasive in our culture! Recent cases like Laci Peterson and Lori Hacking are just the tip of the iceberg. THE TIP. Yes, like Arab men, many American men practice the honor killing. Why we don't recognize it for what it is, I have no idea. Lynching of African-Americans in the early- and mid-20th century... we all recognize that for the horror it was. The recurrent slaughter of women, up to and including the present day... barely a blip on the radar. Any woman out there who thinks she's on an equal par with men is dreaming. Dream on!
Posted by: A Woman | August 13, 2004 at 12:27 PM
All good points, A Woman, but in the USA, the law is designed to discourage that kind of behavior.
Posted by: Sissy Willis | August 13, 2004 at 01:48 PM