Ready to Start (school)

Hello!

I am super, super busy moving in right now. But! I am hoping to make a post later this week/weekend.
In the meantime, here is an interesting article for you all to read.

Best,
Liz

Eastern Glow

Wow. I mean wow. It has been too long of a time! Do forgive me for the time a part. I have been busy studying for theyouknowwhat. Today is my last class and then I am off to LA to see my brother William. Speaking of which, you should watch this video here and help his group win a contest.

In this long-delayed post, I will return to the book "Honour" Crimes, Paradigms, and Violence Against Women. The article in of focus will be "Crimes of honour, value and meaning" by Purna Sen. So, lets get to it!

Sen ellaborates in the beginning of her article that the increasing focus on honour killings in the last ten years illustrates a "cooperation on the international level." She continues to expatiate on the disadvantages of this interaction as well. These short-comings include:

"identifying Islamic culture as deeply imbued with backward approaches to gender relations, associating Islam intriniscally with honour killings, and highlighting Islamic cultures as therefore inherently problematic, have left a tangle of anger, moral superiority, urgency to act and defensiveness that complicate both conceptualizing and acting against honour crimes."

I am sure you are all rolling your eyes, saying "Liz, I understand this by now." But! Sen goes on to create parallels between this attitude, anti-terrorism and colonial encounters. This idea of barbaric and violent Arabs who hate freedom (and by freedom, I mean America) is parallel to the anti-terror dialog we hear almost daily. This means Islamophobia can quickly become mired in this already catastrophic issue.

Furthermore, the tone of colonial powers is seen through new reports, magazine articles (like the one I presented), and newspapers. She writes, "colonial encounters cemented both the assumed moral supperiority of the West over the rest and the existence of an intense eye upon 'other' cultures." This ultimately makes indigenous voices stiffled, for how can the judged fix their own culture? They are assumed to be inferior and therefore, not allowed to participate. This critical eye is certainly seen in Nora Khouri's book. She acts as a colonial power, judging another culture, which claims as her own. She flees to a western nation to save herself from the insatiable barbarity of the East.

But hold on a minute! Surely we have standards for honour as well. Anyone who has read Jane Austen can see how lives of the aristocrat revolved around concepts of honour and pride. Sen notes that Europe's medieval codes of chivalry revolve around honour. Also, this notion hasn't died off. A neo-Nazi group in the UK holds onto a code of honour that "to live by honour one is prepared to die rather than be dishonoured."

Yet in colonial or western language, this honour is completely different. It is the highest order of civility. It indicates culture and pride. It is when honour is applied to the "other" that it becomes a mark of barbarity. Honour leads men to kill in backwards, savage way. Sen notes the historical trend:

"This gaze also has a history, with colonial advances setting the standards of judgment of native gender relations by the colonial power and of claims to moral superiority among the colonizers too." Colonial/orientalist views want to take this honour and mold it into their standard of gender relations. Honour killings have become the new campaign, whereas the veil, child marriage and widow burning were campaigns of the colonial periods.

If you ever have seen Wife Swap, you know someone who walks into your house and tells you your ways of life are wrong usually leads to a bit of conflict. So the West telling the East what to do is a messy situation. The East feels like it is under attack, so it strikes back, becoming more extreme, committing more honour crimes, and suppressing women more. The West has created the image that the East IS how it treats its women. Therefore, the East takes the image they have been given and runs with it to the extreme instead of falling 'victim' to Westernization.

This means that the state feels that it is in its interest to protect this crimes against women under law. Thus, murderers are exonerated because the legal code allows leniency. The state is trying to preserve its identity in direct defiance of the west. Thus, books like Norma Khouri's provoke a stronger reaction in states like Jordan, where reform is stiffed.

Sen goes on to define honour crimes, but I will skip over this section and go straight to her "Common Frameworks" section. She proposes several alternative approaches to battle honour crimes.
-Expand the concept of honour to incorporate practices in the west. We suffer from rape, unequal pay, domestic abuse, etc. Usually, these are justified through concepts of honour.
-Further, the link between Islam and honour killings needs to be eradicated. It simple is not there. Honour killings came long before Islam.
-Adopt a human rights framework in order to tackle these issues

These approaches also problematize western culture and eastern culture does not suffer alone. A continuing spectrum on which to define honour killings is essential.

The best method to attack this problem is still being adopted...but for now, that's all she wrote!

-Liz

Bad Man's World

Howdy,

I have done math for several hows today, so my brain is a little warped. Please pardon me if this post doesn't make much sense or if I am putting in ridiculous words, like factorial or integer.

I will go through the article piece bye piece.

First off, the title: India's Honor Killings: A Modern Killing Spree. Meh, I am not a huge fan of this, since killing "spree" implies to me people running around helter skelter, killing whomever they please. But this is hardly the case. But once again, western media tends to increase hype.

But the first sentence makes up for the alarming title: "A rash of honor killings in India has left Westerners to condemn the act as a brutal relic."

-I like what the author is implying here. First of all, she admits that westerners take on a note of superiority when dealing with this problem. The word "condemn" clearly displays this. Also, a "brutal act" reveals that westerners tend to view honor killings as a barbarous act, dating back to dinosaurs, or something. Because certainly, certainly, we don't live by any codes established a long time ago...which are antiquated....you can work this one out yourselves.

But there seems to be a twist. Instead of being an old relic of the past, the author proposes that the recent surge in honour killings is a result in a surge of modernization. Ergo, from an influence of westernization.

She begins by describing how arranged marriage surrounded her as a youngin' in India. However, honour killings were "not the norm." Instead, they have resulted from a culture clash, leading to deviance. This deviant behaviour includes marrying someone outside the caste, leading to the dishonouring or tainting of the family name. This leads to the need to eliminate the defiant family member. This used to be illegal (marrying outside the caste), but now it is perf. legal.

She describes it as the older generations being trapped in a time of "caste and creed," with the younger generation trying to break free from this model. Now, the more modernized members of urban society and media are trying to modernize these village councils. They want the practice to be eradicated. But with the increase interference of what is considered "western" thinking comes an increase in violence. This villages enjoyed considerable self-governance under colonial England. Therefore, they did not experience a substantial assault on cultural norms, like marrying outside the caste. England did not want to have to rule each village, for this cost time and money. By not bringing a communal sense of governance, England's colonial legacy has led to a power struggle between "new" and "old" India.

New India needs the cooperation of Old India, because they form a healthy majority of the population. Without their votes, many politicians would be out of luck. Unfortunately, it takes time to pass laws that can attack this crime.

This is another example of how western interference, such as colonization, has increased the occurrence of such "barbaric" practices such as honour killings. The "west" has a role of responsibility-one they need to seize.

Best,
Liz

What I'm Trying to Say

Hiya folks,

Once again, while working on the GRE, a thesis article came stumbling into my lap. At first glance, it looks a little less depressing, and more culture-centric. I will read it, I have not yet.

I am excited to find another article, because it proves to me that my thesis has relevance. Then again, if my thesis was about crazy things Mel Gibson did....I guess I would feel that way too. Whatever! I will stay optimistic.

Also, for those of you who are curious, my blog titles refer to songs.

xo,
Liz

p.s. Please send me articles you think are great for my thesis at lilliebette@gmail.com

Uh-Merica

Happy Friday!

I have escaped the GRE for a moment to consider this article. Hopefully you had a chance to read it. I am going to go over it piece by piece before providing an overarching analysis/opinion.

But first, I would like to dedicate the post to the young lady murdered by her father, Noor. "Noor" means light. Hopefully her story will shed light on the fact that these murders happen in America and need to be understand in a complicated cultural discourse. It can not be as simplified as the article creates.
Title: "An American Honor Killing"-

• First, this title implies that honour killing are, by their very definition, un-American. It suggests the creation of something new, that has not occured before. A more accurate description would be "Young Lady Killed by Family in Arizona: 'Honour' cited as motivation." I personally feel this is less inflammatory and still accurate. Women are killed due to honour in America.

"She played tennis in a T-shirt emblazoned with the school mascot — a baby demon in a diaper. She liked to watch Heroes and eat at Chipotle. Sometimes she talked in a goofy Keanu Reeves voice. She wore dark jeans, jeweled sandals, and flowy tops from Forever 21. She texted constantly and called her friends "dude." In other words, she was an American girl much like any other."

• The author feels the necessity of definition the notion of an "American" girl here by providing her definitions of freedom. This is her initially emphasis. Notice how her physical appearance, her use of technology, ect are the first things mentioned. Not her dreams, aspirations, so on. Let me emphasize, Muslim women in many countries live like this. I knew Jordanian women who wore jeans, flowy tops, ect.
  

"Having lived in the U.S. for 16 years, she held dreams of becoming a teacher, of marrying a man she loved, and, most importantly, of making her own choices."

• I think this should have been the emphasis. Because honestly, this is what the issue is about. Although the author reiterates how the father was frustrated by his daughter's appearance, it was her sexual freedom that is threatening. Also, I find the "Having lived in the U.S..." part unnecessary. In author stories of honour crimes, many women have similar aspirations. This is not uniquely American. This is critical. If we understand's Noor's lifestyle and dreams as American we see her death as an attack on America. Unfortunately, the article continues to make this error.
  

"It's a practice with deep, tenacious roots in the tribal traditions of the Middle East and Asia. (The United Nations estimates that 5,000 women die annually from such crimes.) Women are stoned, stabbed, and, in the recent case of a teenage girl in Turkey, tied up and buried alive."

• The author continues to provide various cases where women are killed--of which cases occurred in America. All these names are foreign...obviously denoting an immigrant status. Instead of taking control of the issue right here, the author has lost the reader in their emotions. It will be difficult for the average reader to understand this issue has more nuance than just American or un-American.
  

• Furthermore, to say they have been "amazingly" ignored because they fall under the role of domestic abuse should raise a few eyebrows. Domestic crimes don't make headlines, she says. Isn't this our societies own fault then? That is why domestic abuse continues to be an extreme and dangerous issue. Noor largely stayed quiet about her abuse. How often is this the story in American abuse cases?
  

"Since the murderer is a member of the woman's family, there's no extended investigation to capture the public's attention. Also, the family of the perpetrator rarely advocates for the victim, due to either fear or a belief that the woman got what she deserved."

• Does this sound familiar? It should. It is often the case in domestic abuse cases. Instead of creating a connection here, the author leaves it at that. There is a culture of fear in domestic abuse cases. The woman often feels she has done something wrong, the abuser often believes he is in the right. And the family may stay entirely ignorant of the entire issue.
  

"Appalled by his friend's fate and determined that no other American girl should face the same situation, he and others have established a Facebook group devoted to Noor, with nearly 4,000 members."

• Key word: "Determined that no other American girl"....this may not be the friends wording, but it is for sure the authors. You can understand the issue I have with this. This is a global crises.
  

• Most of her friends won't talk to the reporter. This is not surprising. For in the news, it inevitably becomes a issue of Islam.

• The marrying off story has occurred before in America and other western countries.

Fortunately, Noor was able to get police involvement. Unfortunately, the restraining order did not go through.

What is unfortunate is that the author does not look at the sadness of this type of crime that is created within the family. She quotes the father and mother in a matter where they look cold and unfeeling. This author does not look at the household, even though the brother is quoted in the article as saying the portrayal of the crime is inaccurate. Questions she should be asking:

• What in society made the father feel like this crime was justified?
  
• Is it truly an honor crime in the cultural sense of the term? Or is this a murder? (She hardly addresses the cultural, societal, and sociological aspects of an honor killing)
  
• Is she calling it an honor crime because they are Muslims?
• Why have Americans not been paying attention to this issue? Did that play a role in this murder in particular?

I would encourage you to read the comments below the article. Yes, we should be angry. Yes, this is a tragedy. Do not think I do not want justice to be served. But I have read countless stories about the murderers and perpetrators. They are victims. They are not innocent, they deserve justice. But they deserve our understanding. They are not sociopaths.

What I want to avoid is attacks like this:

"This is a tragic story. The father should go to prison for the rest of his life and the rest of the family should be sent back to Iraq, where their "values" would be far better served. I can only wonder why they came here in the first place." How does this approach the problem in a constructive way?

and

"May her murdering bastard of a "father" be convicted of first degree murder and may he spend the rest of his pathetic, disgusting, bestial life in prison finding out what a piece of trash he is. Amen."

This is very very dangerous in the current climate regarding American-Arab relations. Instead or revealing that both America and the Middle East have a real problem, the abuse of women, the author made this a backwards, tribal, Arab issue.

We can not solve this crises through making enemies.

Best,
Liz

What How When Where (Why Who)

Hello friends!

I found a Marie-Claire article which is relevant to my thesis. Today I was mostly buried in doing math homework for my GRE prep-course, so thesis work was not on my mind. I found this article while reading the news and I hope you will take a look. My thesis seems to come to me when I am neglecting it.

Unfortunately, I need to buzz off soon to my class (GRE math preparation, gah). But please look at the link by clinking on the blue link above. I will comment on it either later tonight or tomorrow. Pay particular attention to the language the author uses.

*Please don't understand my 'excitement' as being happy for this type of tragedy. Every story is upsetting for me, especially having to read them every day. I bring this article for you to read because it engages in the "us" vs "them" dialogue that occurs when talking about this issue. It is a very dangerous dialogue. I encourage you to feel whatever emotions you do whilst reading and assess how the author's language contributed to that.*

-Liz

Past in Present

Hello folks,

I will be using British spelling, I decided. That is how every academic journal, book, etc, writes honour.

It is another ominous day in Iowa-the clouds are hanging low and the siren earlier today went off. Since it isn't a day for frolicking or reading by the pool, I decided to blog! There will be two this week, God willing.

The subject of this post is an introduction to the book 'Honour' Crimes, Paradigms, and Violence Against Women, edited by Lynn Welchmann and Sara Hossain. It is a collection of articles on this particular issue. I will be presenting several of those articles and will be including them in my thesis.

The preface is by Radhika Coomaraswamy, United Nations Special Rapporteur. Her reports noticed that violence against women is largely a function of societies desire to control woman's sexuality. The "framework" of honour is created to regulate their behaviour. Furthermore, it is accepted as a cultural phenomenon and is often not touched. This creates a "cultural relativism." The right to life and freedom are made irrelevant in the eyes of culture.

However, CEDAW in 1979 created the terms of the "Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women" to shift the focus away from cultural relativism to a human rights issue.

Radhika's ideas include:
-the need to invoke international standards and laws to hold states responsible for these crimes...and dismiss the crutch of cultural relativism
-the development of national penal, civil, and administrative sanctions to protect families and women
-stronger criminal laws
-recognition that law-based strategies are insufficient in addressing this issue
-protection of woman's identities

If you recall, many of these ideas are parallel to the issues raised in Husseini's book.

The introduction is by Lynn Welchman and Sara Hossain. The volume is a result of a honour killing in Pakistan. This reveals that this incidences of violence are impetuses for change. This is an unfortunate fact of most cases of violence.

They introduce a Coomarswamy's traditional "definition of crimes of honour...accepts the fact that structures that perpetuate violence against women are socially constructed and that such violence is a product of a historical process and is not essential or time bound in its manifestation."

We will see how this def. applies in my next post. The definition also accepts that all structures of violence that serve to defend male honour are in fact honour crimes. Essentially, they are crimes of motivation, not of passion. Furthermore, it is critical that these crimes be viewed through a wider scope. Meaning there needs to be less focus on these crimes as an "Eastern" phenomenon. The book mentions the damage caused by Khouri's book by perpetuating honour crimes as a problem "of the other."

The book agrees that a single, straight-forward approach by one acting party is not enough. Rather, to solve the problem there needs to be a collaboration from different activists, law makers and locals.

This gives you a brief idea of what variety of articles I will be engaging in.

For now, goodbye!
-Liz