What really
struck me about Riverbend’s blog was her strength and determination. She coped
so impressively with negative comments that she received as responses to her
writing. This is highlighted when Riverbend retorts:
It’s great to
get questions and differing opinions- but please be intelligent about it, and
above all, creative- if I want to hear what Fox News has to say, I’ll watch
it. And keep one thing in mind- tanks and guns can break my bones, but
emails can be deleted.
While remaining anonymous, Riverbend was
confident enough to speak her mind and stand her ground against those who were
aggressive towards her.
It
is shocking and terrifying to learn how the treatment of women in Iraq seemed
to go back in time. Riverbend discusses how she used to earn equal pay to men,
she could wear whatever clothes she wanted, and walk alone in the city. During
and after the war, women had to have male escorts when leaving the house, they
were forced to wear hijabs and conservative clothes. If they wore items that were
deemed too revealing they ran the risk of getting acid pour over them. Many
women, including Riverbend, had to leave their jobs.
The
comparisons that Riverbend makes with Iraq before and after the war are
striking. She laments, “I don’t even know the city anymore. Now, areas are
identified as ‘the one with the crater where the missile exploded’, or ‘the
street with the ravaged houses’, or ‘the little house next to that one where
that family was killed’”. Riverbend evidently does not feel at home in Iraq anymore.
Her life has been turned completely upside down owing to the war. Even a simple action like putting on
sunglasses becomes a debate because Riverbend does not want to draw too much
attention to herself.
It
is important that Riverbend argues “don’t blame it on Islam.” There are many
moderate Muslims in Iraq who live peacefully with other religious groups and
races. Muslims should not be used as scapegoats for the actions of extremists
and fundamentalists.
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ReplyDeleteI also thought he description of pre-war Iraq vs. Iraq during war was very striking. How a 20 minute drive now takes 45 minutes just because of the American Military occupation. Life in an occupied nation is something that most westerns are very unfamiliar with. And allot of Americans think that our military is almighty and was in Iraq to improve the lives of the Iraqi people. Then you hear first hand accounts of people like Riverbend when she says: "Americans don’t bother raiding the houses in areas [contorlled by violent gangs]… raids are exclusively for decent people who can’t shoot back or attack. Raids are for the poor people in Ramadi, Ba’aquba and Mosul." This is incredibly backwards and if you ask me, cowardice. It seems that the modern American Military tactic is not nearly as successful as the people in Washington want us to think.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you on how backwards the treatment of women is in their culture. I was shocked to read about how everything changed after the war. For me, it is repulsive how women are required to dress a certain way and can't even leave their home without a male escort. It is even more sad how most people around the world aren't even aware of this or the harsh reality of life in this place. Imagine living in these conditions and not being able to speak the truth or have your voice heard?
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