There have been some really good posts from around the blogosphere about Obama, Cairo and women's rights. Here are a few that caught my attention.
Sarah MC takes Obama to task on not being afraid to offend religious fundamentalists and make a statement about state sanctioned religious law.
Peter Daou has a very strong and powerful criticism to Obama's discussion of women's rights.
Dana responds to Peter at the American Prospect and reminds us there are far greater problems facing women in fundamentalist regimes outside of the hijab.
Yolanda at the Kitchen Table on Muslim women and the concept of "choice."
Tami has a few thoughts on nuance and messaging in the Obama speech along with the full video and transcript.
Add more in comments as you read em! And what did you think about Obama's remarks on "women in the Arab world?"
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He didn't use the word "terrorist" once during the speech. That's awesome.
Middle East face, but in fact it is a symbol of the conflict between tradition and progress that has plagued the region for so long. Yes, the hijab may be a representation of the way women are controlled and objectified in many ways. But it is also a cultural tradition that many Islamic women prefer and honor. I think one of the basic principles of feminism is that all human beings should have a CHOICE, not that they should have to conform to some standards of masculinity or homogeneity in order to be perceived as equal. By not imposing an American imperialist ideology on the Middle East like his predecessor, Obama made a smart diplomatic move, showing that he acknowledges the importance of the role of culture and tradition in Middle Eastern Society, but he also spoke like a true feminist, in that it is the choice, not the hijab or lack therof, that gives women equality and dignity.
Many people thing that the hijab issue is trvial and inconsequential in comparison to the larger more troubling problems women in the Middle East face, but in fact it is a symbol of the conflict between tradition and progress that has plagued the region for so long. Yes, the hijab may be a representation of the way women are controlled and objectified in many ways. But it is also a cultural tradition that many Islamic women prefer and honor. I think one of the basic principles of feminism is that all human beings should have a CHOICE, not that they should have to conform to some standards of masculinity or homogeneity in order to be perceived as equal. By not imposing an American imperialist ideology on the Middle East like his predecessor, Obama made a smart diplomatic move, showing that he acknowledges the importance of the role of culture and tradition in Middle Eastern Society, but he also spoke like a true feminist, in that it is the choice, not the hijab or lack therof, that gives women equality and dignity.
Right. The choice between oppression and progress.
I loved that obama talked about women's rights. and I LOVED how he put it in the context of how women are still struggling for equality in the US. I still feel that maybe I had a dream and this didn't really happen in real life....
I think Obama needs to continue to push muslim governments for human rights and women's rights (end especially those who are pro-western like Egypt and Saudi Arabie which have terrible records on both these issues). But I don't think this was the place nor the time to push anyone. This was a first step to address the muslim people and not the governments and I think Obama's tone was very appropriate.
I also think that there are middle eastern people in each country who THEMSELVES are leaders in improving human rights and women's rights in their own countries and any help from the US should be in the form of solidarity and in a "following" position.
"all human beings should have a CHOICE, not that they should have to conform to some standards of masculinity or homogeneity in order to be perceived as equal"
I really do like this comment, but I just wanted to bring up a point because everyone is talking about choice.
When you are raised in a social environment that tells you over and over that you are not equal to a certain group, you will internalize it. We internalize everything. None of our personal opinions have not been shaped in some way but what we have lived, or who we have lived as.
So one always wonders how much of our choices are actual "choice". I will freely admit that a lot of my life choices have been certainly made *voluntarily*, but given the options, it is usually more rewarding to pick one over the other.
"So one always wonders how much of our choices are actual "choice""
As my psychology teacher would say: "Freedom is an illusion" (Bandura or Skinner?) :)
Of course we are shaped by the views of the society we live in: we either conform to them, rebel against them, or pick and choose amongst them. Pure choice and freedom would mean isolating ourselves completely in order to not be affected by our world. And we have that choice too, although most people do not take it.
I feel that one of problems facing women of this time and era is the problem of choice and the ambiguity of its meaning. Yes, most people would say today that women are equal to men, that they have the freedom of choice, that women can and should be anything from quantum physicists to homemakers. But there seems to be a subtle, insidious pressure for women to assert their equality loudly, for fear it should be overlooked. Perhaps that is why some argue against traditionalist practices like wearing hijabs, even though the women who wear them reserve that right/choice for themselves.
Yes, exactly. Perhaps first and second wave feminists fought for us to have choices. But a big feminist dilemma these days is the concept of choice itself.
I love love love feministing, but as a photographer, it really bothers me that you all often don't give photo credits on many of your photos! Please, don't forget to give credit where it's due. This photo in particular is great, and I'd like to know who shot it.
Thanks
I find that Daou piece to be moronic and paternalistic. There's also the hint of anti-Muslim hysteria in it. Wouldn't surprise me if Daou is really reacting to the settlement issue, and just masking it by point out idiotic commonplaces like:
"And to those whose abiding hatred of Israel (and thus America) is absolute, Obama's words will be seen as empty and hypocritical."
Like, duh?
The story about the stoning of the Somali girl as evidence that Obama should have lectured the Muslim world about all their raping and stoning of women is similarly obtuse and sensationalistic. Not to mention it completely misses the point Obama was trying to make about America still needing to make strides on women's rights ourselves.
Just a weird and dumb blog.
Yeah, I agree. Obama is addressing one women's issue in this speech. Let's not pull a 'why are you talking about X, when Y is so much more important?' by suggesting he should be talking about others too.
The hijab choice issue is important and that's what's being discussed, let's discuss it.