"Geben Sie mir Kaffee, dann mache ich Phänomenologie daraus." (Give me my coffee so that I can make phenomenology out of it.)
-- Edmund Husserl
Monday, May 09, 2011
The Taliban's War Against Women
Here is a link from the US State Department on the Taliban's War Against Women. Please read the article and comment on it in relation to Chapter two of Swallows of Kabul.
While reading the article and trying to compare it to chapter 2, I couldn't help but to keep comparing it to the United States. I always knew that Afghanistan did not look at women as greatly as they did men. Reading these two peices of literature deepened my belief of inequality in Afghanistan. After the liberation of african americans and women in the United States, I thought it was looked at as moving forward in the direction of total equality in rights of people. I guess Afghanistan did not see this as the case, because as stated in the article, earlier in Afghanistan women had some freedoms. Soon those freedoms to things such as education, and the choice of wearing a burqua or not. From the taliban taking a stand in Afghan government since 1994, the treatment of women has declined to levels of disbelief. As I sit here and think of the differences from us to them I cant help but imagine what they think of civilized countries for treating women with some sort of respect. Do they think we are whipped? or are weak for having women leaders? I do not know, but i just cant comprehend the way a country we have relations with can have such a great difference in views.
When first reading the article, "Report on the Taliban's War Against Women", I was astonished at the cruelty and violence that women must deal with on a daily basis. While I was reading, an idea came to mind: what if this were to happen in the United States? Before the Taliban takeover, 70% of schoolteachers, 50% of government workers and university students, and 40% of doctors in Kabul were women. These statistics are most likely equivalent to those in the US. With a government shift, everything women had going for them was abruptly taken away such as their freedom, rights, and dignity. What if a sudden shift in government were to occur in the US? Could something this severe ever happen? Although the circumstances are different for Kabul and the US, just thinking of how drastically life would change frightens me.
After reading this article, I feel like I have to admit that some basic human rights are universal. My prediction before reading this article was that this article must have a lot to do with the idea that one culture judges another culture base on their own beliefs. But I realized I was wrong because in the article, it says that Islam has tradition that protects women’s rights. And I believe that, because If all the females in that certain group are sick and not be able to receive a medical care, then this action would turn out to be a slow genocide. It is somehow obviously enough for me to say that genocide is wrong because every single person I had ever met in my life so far enjoys the right of living, and it is a common agreement that hurting other people or try to prevent other people from enjoy living their lives is wrong. However, regardless of any political intrigues, I couldn’t possibility found any reason that supports US to intervene the human rights violation that happens in other country. It would be more reasonable for US to send out its troops if this article was written by UN and it asked US or other countries in the world for help.
When reading this article, a common question kept coming to me. Have/Should America step in and help the women in Afghanistan? Although I don't believe that it is "politically" correct to step in, I do believe that everyone has to fight for their own beliefs. If I see women in another country being killed because they are women I am going to step in. Although I know it's not politically correct, I wish America would step in and change how women are treated. What are your opinions on it?
@ Abby We did step in we have given $178 million and $302 million to humanitarion groups and specifically made sure a fair portion went to help women.
"The United States has provided over $178 million in humanitarian relief in 2001. In addition, President Bush announced $320 million more in response to this crisis. The U.S. Government is working closely with international humanitarian aid organizations to ensure that aid is distributed fairly and with consideration for the needs of women."
Abby the United State have stepped in. In “Report on the Taliban’s War against Women”, it states, “The United States has provided over $178 million in humanitarian relief in 2001. In addition, President Bush announced $320 million more in response to this crisis”. Millions of dollars are being given to these women to help improve their lives. At this point that is almost all that can be done, there is no way to step in and completely over take the laws that the Taliban has placed. These women have totally lost their identity as the Taliban has essentially killed the female race in Afghanistan. The Taliban is not going to give into the United States and especially won’t give in to changing laws that they think are right.
While reading the article, my thoughts and arguments against the rule of the Taliban are stronger and more supported. First of all the mis-interpretation of the Islamic law that the Tabliban manifest on their actions is totally personalized to meet their own goals and beliefs. The cruelty of the Taliban towards women is unnecessary and to response to Abby's comment I think that no matter how much aid is sent to Afghan-women, as long as they are under Taliban control the cruel conditions and poor living will continue.
After reading this enlightening article, “Taliban's War Against Women”, I had a slightly different view on the Taliban and their vicious acts of cruelty against women. I did not know it was this severe where women had to face decisions in which they are risking their lives to complete a simple daily task. Everyday women are endangered and denied the most basic of individual rights. Many important living necessities were denied like education, health care, and work. What I found specifically astonishing was that women were given rights and protection under the law before the Taliban. This shocked me because in the progress of women’s equality, they took a step back as time moved forward. This article is in direct relation to chapter two of Swallows of Kabul because both illustrate the importance of stopping this war against women. The Taliban’s fight against women is atrocious in the since that it denies the women important necessities and rights.
When I first read this article, at the beginning it tells a story about how this Afgan mother has a sick baby who needed medical attention, it stated that the Afgan mother loved her child and that she had no choice but to leave and save her child. But later on gets shot to the ground. I think that this story sums up most of what the Afgan women have to live with everyday. No choices for anything and unbearable pain.
Women should be treated equally, they can and have made large contributions to their country by becoming teachers, politics, doctors and government workers. But the Taliban took all of this away, from every single woman. No woman deserves to live her life like this.
During the year of 2001, I was a young child in kindergarten unaware that harsh cruelty existed in the world. Year by year I grew older enjoying myself with opportunities such as singing, flying a kite, being able to pick out my own outfits, and go to school. Today, I become aware of what truly happens in the world I live in, how my country helps others with a lack of human rights, and the amount of appreciation towards my freedom I need to show. In chapter two I visualize an execution of a young girl known as a prostitute who was most likely living in extreme poverty selling her body as a way to survive. Along with this death I also become aware of an Afghan mother who goes against the Taliban rules to help her child survive. The connection between chapter two in “Swallows of Kabul” and “the Taliban’s War Against Women” article is based on the struggle in which women must endure to help themselves and family survive. Learning about the Taliban’s horrific actions and how the United States has attempted to help Afghanistan has given me a better understanding of how both countries work.
In modern history, women’s rights have been marked as an improvement of many countries. Feminine liberation, women’s rights and human rights have emerged in our life. People began to realize the importance and abilities of women. When I was reading the chapter two of The Swallows of Kabul, I was so mad at Mirza’s rude words about woman. However, I didn’t really feel angry, because I understood why Mirza has his view of woman. His environment influenced his view of women. Indeed, woman didn’t have the same advantages and benefits that men had, like rights over property or money, and women were instead limited to sex and cooking for the family. In Mirza’s society, woman didn’t have the certain abilities or rights that men had-- for example, owning property--but once problems arose where the man’s abilities failed, the women must step in to take care of their families by themselves. In the article that we read, “as many as 50,000 women, who had lost husbands and other male relatives during Afghanistan's long civil war, had no source of income. Many were reduced to selling all of their possessions and begging in the streets, or worse, to feed their families.” When the rule of game doesn’t make it fun anymore, people try to seek another way to improve the game. Improving our mistakes is how history took place and where our systems came from. I don’t know which way is right or wrong: the old one or the new system? At least I rejoice living in a society with women’s rights and thank god I never had to endure the suffering of being a girl.
When reading this article, a question kept reoccurring in my mind, “Should America have spent $498 million in aid for the Afghani women?” I found this to be a quite shocking fact because after the war with the Soviet Union, the America government neglected the fact that Afghanistan needed aid then, but the government decides to spend $498 million on them now. I cannot comprehend as to why this decision was made, especially when there are women and children in poverty within America that the $498 million could have been used to aid those that are in need.
After reading the article, it reminded me of how African-Americans were treated in the 1960. They were limited from having equal rights and also were treated like dirt. Blacks were limited from having their freedom and it made it harder for them to live their life. As I read the article, I compare it to the way blacks were treated because they both had their rights violated and their freedom limited. As the year went on, African-Americans got their freedom back and life became easier for them. But as for the women; the law hasn't changed and the women of Afghanistan have to live through it.
Book, the swallows of Kabul, seems to be well representing the culture of Afghanistan. According to the article, the Taliban's War against Women, Tailbans had violated countless Universal Human Rights against women. Under the outrageous rules, Afghanistan’s culture, society and principles has been changed. In the book, Mirza Shah is the character who doesn’t doubt that the society he lives in is wrong. In the whole book, there are very few people who believe differently which reminds me of Brave New World( Bernard and his act against the society with his own will).
15 comments:
While reading the article and trying to compare it to chapter 2, I couldn't help but to keep comparing it to the United States. I always knew that Afghanistan did not look at women as greatly as they did men. Reading these two peices of literature deepened my belief of inequality in Afghanistan. After the liberation of african americans and women in the United States, I thought it was looked at as moving forward in the direction of total equality in rights of people. I guess Afghanistan did not see this as the case, because as stated in the article, earlier in Afghanistan women had some freedoms. Soon those freedoms to things such as education, and the choice of wearing a burqua or not. From the taliban taking a stand in Afghan government since 1994, the treatment of women has declined to levels of disbelief. As I sit here and think of the differences from us to them I cant help but imagine what they think of civilized countries for treating women with some sort of respect. Do they think we are whipped? or are weak for having women leaders? I do not know, but i just cant comprehend the way a country we have relations with can have such a great difference in views.
When first reading the article, "Report on the Taliban's War Against Women", I was astonished at the cruelty and violence that women must deal with on a daily basis. While I was reading, an idea came to mind: what if this were to happen in the United States? Before the Taliban takeover, 70% of schoolteachers, 50% of government workers and university students, and 40% of doctors in Kabul were women. These statistics are most likely equivalent to those in the US. With a government shift, everything women had going for them was abruptly taken away such as their freedom, rights, and dignity. What if a sudden shift in government were to occur in the US? Could something this severe ever happen? Although the circumstances are different for Kabul and the US, just thinking of how drastically life would change frightens me.
After reading this article, I feel like I have to admit that some basic human rights are universal.
My prediction before reading this article was that this article must have a lot to do with the idea that one culture judges another culture base on their own beliefs. But I realized I was wrong because in the article, it says that Islam has tradition that protects women’s rights. And I believe that, because If all the females in that certain group are sick and not be able to receive a medical care, then this action would turn out to be a slow genocide. It is somehow obviously enough for me to say that genocide is wrong because every single person I had ever met in my life so far enjoys the right of living, and it is a common agreement that hurting other people or try to prevent other people from enjoy living their lives is wrong.
However, regardless of any political intrigues, I couldn’t possibility found any reason that supports US to intervene the human rights violation that happens in other country. It would be more reasonable for US to send out its troops if this article was written by UN and it asked US or other countries in the world for help.
When reading this article, a common question kept coming to me. Have/Should America step in and help the women in Afghanistan? Although I don't believe that it is "politically" correct to step in, I do believe that everyone has to fight for their own beliefs. If I see women in another country being killed because they are women I am going to step in. Although I know it's not politically correct, I wish America would step in and change how women are treated. What are your opinions on it?
@ Abby
We did step in we have given $178 million and $302 million to humanitarion groups and specifically made sure a fair portion went to help women.
"The United States has provided over $178 million in humanitarian relief in 2001. In addition, President Bush announced $320 million more in response to this crisis. The U.S. Government is working closely with international humanitarian aid organizations to ensure that aid is distributed fairly and with consideration for the needs of women."
Abby the United State have stepped in. In “Report on the Taliban’s War against Women”, it states, “The United States has provided over $178 million in humanitarian relief in 2001. In addition, President Bush announced $320 million more in response to this crisis”. Millions of dollars are being given to these women to help improve their lives. At this point that is almost all that can be done, there is no way to step in and completely over take the laws that the Taliban has placed. These women have totally lost their identity as the Taliban has essentially killed the female race in Afghanistan. The Taliban is not going to give into the United States and especially won’t give in to changing laws that they think are right.
While reading the article, my thoughts and arguments against the rule of the Taliban are stronger and more supported. First of all the mis-interpretation of the Islamic law that the Tabliban manifest on their actions is totally personalized to meet their own goals and beliefs. The cruelty of the Taliban towards women is unnecessary and to response to Abby's comment I think that no matter how much aid is sent to Afghan-women, as long as they are under Taliban control the cruel conditions and poor living will continue.
After reading this enlightening article, “Taliban's War Against Women”, I had a slightly different view on the Taliban and their vicious acts of cruelty against women. I did not know it was this severe where women had to face decisions in which they are risking their lives to complete a simple daily task. Everyday women are endangered and denied the most basic of individual rights. Many important living necessities were denied like education, health care, and work. What I found specifically astonishing was that women were given rights and protection under the law before the Taliban. This shocked me because in the progress of women’s equality, they took a step back as time moved forward. This article is in direct relation to chapter two of Swallows of Kabul because both illustrate the importance of stopping this war against women. The Taliban’s fight against women is atrocious in the since that it denies the women important necessities and rights.
When I first read this article, at the beginning it tells a story about how this Afgan mother has a sick baby who needed medical attention, it stated that the Afgan mother loved her child and that she had no choice but to leave and save her child. But later on gets shot to the ground. I think that this story sums up most of what the Afgan women have to live with everyday. No choices for anything and unbearable pain.
Women should be treated equally, they can and have made large contributions to their country by becoming teachers, politics, doctors and government workers. But the Taliban took all of this away, from every single woman.
No woman deserves to live her life like this.
During the year of 2001, I was a young child in kindergarten unaware that harsh cruelty existed in the world. Year by year I grew older enjoying myself with opportunities such as singing, flying a kite, being able to pick out my own outfits, and go to school. Today, I become aware of what truly happens in the world I live in, how my country helps others with a lack of human rights, and the amount of appreciation towards my freedom I need to show. In chapter two I visualize an execution of a young girl known as a prostitute who was most likely living in extreme poverty selling her body as a way to survive. Along with this death I also become aware of an Afghan mother who goes against the Taliban rules to help her child survive. The connection between chapter two in “Swallows of Kabul” and “the Taliban’s War Against Women” article is based on the struggle in which women must endure to help themselves and family survive. Learning about the Taliban’s horrific actions and how the United States has attempted to help Afghanistan has given me a better understanding of how both countries work.
In modern history, women’s rights have been marked as an improvement of many countries. Feminine liberation, women’s rights and human rights have emerged in our life. People began to realize the importance and abilities of women. When I was reading the chapter two of The Swallows of Kabul, I was so mad at Mirza’s rude words about woman. However, I didn’t really feel angry, because I understood why Mirza has his view of woman. His environment influenced his view of women. Indeed, woman didn’t have the same advantages and benefits that men had, like rights over property or money, and women were instead limited to sex and cooking for the family. In Mirza’s society, woman didn’t have the certain abilities or rights that men had-- for example, owning property--but once problems arose where the man’s abilities failed, the women must step in to take care of their families by themselves. In the article that we read, “as many as 50,000 women, who had lost husbands and other male relatives during Afghanistan's long civil war, had no source of income. Many were reduced to selling all of their possessions and begging in the streets, or worse, to feed their families.” When the rule of game doesn’t make it fun anymore, people try to seek another way to improve the game. Improving our mistakes is how history took place and where our systems came from. I don’t know which way is right or wrong: the old one or the new system? At least I rejoice living in a society with women’s rights and thank god I never had to endure the suffering of being a girl.
When reading this article, a question kept reoccurring in my mind, “Should America have spent $498 million in aid for the Afghani women?” I found this to be a quite shocking fact because after the war with the Soviet Union, the America government neglected the fact that Afghanistan needed aid then, but the government decides to spend $498 million on them now. I cannot comprehend as to why this decision was made, especially when there are women and children in poverty within America that the $498 million could have been used to aid those that are in need.
After reading the article, it reminded me of how African-Americans were treated in the 1960.
They were limited from having equal rights and also were treated like dirt. Blacks were limited from having their freedom and it made it harder for them to live their life. As I read the article, I compare it to the way blacks were treated because they both had their rights violated and their freedom limited. As the year went on, African-Americans got their freedom back and life became easier for them. But as for the women; the law hasn't changed and the women of Afghanistan have to live through it.
Book, the swallows of Kabul, seems to be well representing the culture of Afghanistan. According to the article, the Taliban's War against Women, Tailbans had violated countless Universal Human Rights against women. Under the outrageous rules, Afghanistan’s culture, society and principles has been changed. In the book, Mirza Shah is the character who doesn’t doubt that the society he lives in is wrong. In the whole book, there are very few people who believe differently which reminds me of Brave New World( Bernard and his act against the society with his own will).
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