FINALLY, SOMETHING THAT RELATES TO ME.

            FINALLY, SOMETHING THAT RELATES TO ME. Darraj's, "It's Not An Oxymoron, The Search For Arab Feminism". When I saw this I was a little worried to what it was going to say because, first of all. We barely talk about all the misconceptions that are given to Arabs, Muslims and Women (Arab and Muslim women). I have no idea why this is. It sometimes feels like no one really wants to admit that after 9/11 there wasn't this messed up version of Islam being planted into people's head, and all these hate crimes and stereotypes. Okay, I sound little crazy but hey, it's a painful topic.
          When wearing a hijab, almost everyone knows that you are a Muslim, (Or Hindu...yeah, that assumption happened to me...), and its really tough. I always got questions like hey, what is that?, why do you dress for MEN?, why did your parents FORCE you to wear that?, why do people from where you're from want to KILL everyone?,why are you so VIOLENT?. The list can go on and on. The worst is when I see an article on Facebook from CNN, and I read the comments. Oh god, those comments... And the amount of people who agree with those hateful comments..... Whenever I read them, I would sit and really think about it. Wow... there's millions of people out there would look at me, and think all that about me. And its all false...and so far from the truth. Then I would rant about the ignorance to my friends and family and they'd give me that look of, ( I know, it sucks, but we can't really do anything), and I try to go to sleep and not be depressed. (A little personal but it relates to the reading)
       So yeah, seeing this in class, really meant a lot to me. Especially those comparisons Arab to Western practices. I'm not Arab, so I actually didn't know about the whole naming thing or some of the wedding traditions. But her arguments were really good, it was very convincing, and it was heart warming? ( Not sure what word to use) to see that everyone in class for the most part understood her points and agreed. I'm so used to hoping I disappear when in class we talk about 9/11 or woman in Islam or Islam in general. I was afraid to what people would say and how would I confront their comments.  But going back to the reading, I related to her struggle for her search. I felt like my idea of feminism was manipulated, and judged harshly. I also loved how she was a Christan Arab.
        I wish I could take that line from page 305, "The Muslim sisters believe that Islam gives women full rights but that the religion has been corrupted by men to suit their patriarchal agenda", can I just hang this somewhere in bold letters for everyone to see? Islam was the first religion to establish rights to women, the right to divorce, have a say in her marriage, own property from her parents, not be treated like property, have a say when there are accusations of her cheating, etc.Or the assumption that Muslims are violent, so during war they went crazy and killed everyone in sight. Again, completely false, there rules they had to follow. Do not commit treachery, deviate from the right path, mutilate dead bodies kill children, women, or aged men, harm or burn trees, destroy buildings, destroy an enemy’s flock, unless you use it for your food, and when you pass people who have devoted their lives to monastic services leave them alone. Very violent, right?
       Okay, I could write books about all the misconceptions about Islam and addressing them. Sadly, they are still out there. I saw a sign the other day, right before you enter the subway station in Manhattan saying "Islam Hates Jews, It's Written in the Quran!!" Sighhhh... I hope we all read pieces like Darraj's but about other backgrounds and their struggle of stereotypes, it will help with the ignorance we have towards each other, and make a better world. ( Wow, that sounded really cheesy, but the ignorance needs to be addressed.) I think this class really helped to learn to question what's given to you. And think critically, and really think about whats being said and make sure it's from a legit source. Don't generalize or assume thing. I hope that everyone else took that from this class as well. There were other pieces that spoke to me but only 2 posts per month, like the film we saw in class. I love how thought provoking all the readings are to be honest. I just realized how long my posts are...sorry