Week 2: Post 1
One way in which we build worlds through communication is being able and willing to abandon outdated and unfair roles and rules. An idea that we talk about in our culture that might not exist in all other cultures is the importance of women in our society. Women are not only important in social and family settings but also in the workplace. A culture that does not have the same views on the roles of women in society is the country of Jordan. Not only are women not treated the same as men but they are worth barely anything in their culture. Most Jordanian women do not attend school because they will not work either. The role of a Jordanian woman is to get married to a man of the same religion and honor both the family that she came from as well as the family she married into, and that is all. Americans who are aware of the treatment of these women not only feel bad for the women who are suffering but they also feel lucky to live in a society that finally appreciates women.
posted by Eleanor Rigby @ 3:05 PM
6 Comments
6 Comments:
Hello Eleanor Rigby:
I was wondering where you got your information about Jordanian women? Being that I am minoring in Middle Eastern Studies I have done a lot of study on Jordan since I will be there next summer. And while there is still a lot that needs to be done to improve not only the status of women in Jordan and in many parts of the world but also the school system, Jordan has come a long way. One of the most recognized woman in the world is Queen Rania of Jordan. She has worked very hard with here initiative called madrasati, to improve education. Also it can be argued that even here in the United States we still have a way to go to "appreciate women".
Mrs Beckham, I am so glad that a fellow student is interested in what is happening in Jordan. The first I had heard of honor crimes was in a book called Honor Lost which is a first hand account of love and death in modern day Jordan by Norma Khouri. The end of the book also addresses Queen Rania and also another woman in the Jordanian government that is speaking out against honor crimes even though it could be a deadly fight. If you have time you should definitely read the book, it really touched me and got me interested in what is happening over there. It is something that needs to change and people need to become educated about it but I suppose time will tell.
Hey Eleanor Rigby:
How are you?!
While this isn't a full post for credit, I was reading your blog and wanted to let you know in this issue of the magazine BITCH the author Rana Husseini is featured for her new book _Murder in the Name of Honour_. Rana, a native Jordanian herself, and self-proclaimed activist exposes the most recent violations to human rights/life in Jordan. Her intentions were to broaden the perspectives and understanding of these crimes, but also juxtapose them w/the insular lens of Western projection of treatment in "the Middle East." In addition, her nearly 20 years of activism and documentation of these crimes incorporates the recent cases (I believe Ohio and Texas) of Muslim women killed (or attempted murder) based on their decision to covert from Islam to Christianity. Personally, what I appreciate about her book and commitment to social justice is a global lens on this issue that doesn't target "the Middle East" as "savage," "covered," or "terroristic."
On an exciting note, a portion of my position at SJSU includes bringing speakers to campus and it's in progress right now to (actually) bring Rana to SJSU in November!
And, I guess on an exciting second note, I'm over 100 words! LOL
That is so true! Many cultures do not value women as much as we do here in the United States, which is often something I take for granted. Last semester I took a Hunger and Environmental Nutrition course, and we learned that educating women is pretty much the cure to all the world’s problems What I mean is that the more educated the women of a population are, the less unplanned pregnancies, disease, overpopulation and hunger that population experiences. Also, the more educated the women of a population are, the longer the entire population’s life expectancy.
That is so true! Many cultures do not value women as much as we do here in the United States, which is often something I take for granted. Last semester I took a Hunger and Environmental Nutrition course, and we learned that educating women is pretty much the cure to all the world’s problems:) What I mean is that the more educated the women of a population are, the less unplanned pregnancies, disease, overpopulation and hunger that population experiences. Also, the more educated the women of a population are, the longer the entire population’s life expectancy.
Wow, I really hope that she will be speaking! I will definitely keep an eye out for her coming to campus, thanks for the heads up!
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