Tuesday, March 25, 2008

This is the world on drugs

I have never considered myself a feminist, having struggled to equate privileged women whining about getting paid less and feeling uncomfortable in math class with moving things forward. Haven't the girls of my generation been given access to the same opportunities as the boys?

But during my adventures I have discovered a very different reality and it is really, really disturbing.

Upon my arrival, there was news of a 19-year old Saudi woman who was kidnapped at knifepoint and gang-raped by seven men (twice each) who also beat her, took pictures and threatened to kill her. When she went to court, the judge awarded her 90 lashes for consorting with men other than her husband!!!! She appealed the decision and the next judge upped it to 200 lashes and 6 months in jail. This is the world on drugs.
www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21332543-2,00.html


During my trip to Thailand last month, I came to look into the sad, glassy eyes of the girls of the Karen tribe (near Chiang Mai). This clan from Burma traditionally puts heavy coils of brass around the necks of young girls starting at age 5. Each year, they lengthen the coil until they are 21 or so, stretching out their necks into a freakishly long, thin, fragile appendages.

The custom has been disappearing... however, now thanks to tourists, these girls are taken from their mountain tribe to live in a fake village where stupid people (like me) can pay $15 US dollars to come and photograph the freaks, revile at the pictures of their bared black and blue necks and feel "cultured." I asked her - does it hurt? She bent her entire body to me (unable to freely move her head), with the top coil cutting into her chin, and said "sometimes." I feel sick, knowing this girl will never forget that she is different and deformed, the freakshow that warrants a photo. She has become a prisoner, never be able to enter a larger society. This is the world on drugs.

Continuing onto Indonesia, which is largely muslim - I become well acquainted with the very symbol of squashed identity - the burka. This head to toe covering may (or may not) leave a slit for the eyes. The more fortunate women only wear head scarves (which has GOT to be hot in the equatorial climate).

I ask my friend - why the burkas, why the head scarves? "Ana," he says, "because hair is beautiful and they need to protect themselves from men's lustful eyes." OK, OK... so the "answer" that has been adopted by the societies of millions and millions is that women need obscure themselves and live behind a mask because the men can't keep it in their pants?!?! This is logic??? This is the world on drugs!

In India, many rural women are married at age 15 and not allowed out of the house. She cannot go to the market, she cannot visit her friends. Her only job, according to one farmer, is "look good for me." During another interview, I learned a man is more likely to get insurance for his cow than his wife. Afterall, the cow is of real value. The wife is replaceable. Yes, this is the world on drugs.

In Jodhpur, I
met Rehka, a woman my age with three children and ambition as strong as mine; though she’s not allowed to leave the house (as a wife) and has never even seen the fort that overlooks her city, bringing tourists from around the world. I asked her to come with us; she declined, smiling, saying she is sure she will go soon, but instead taught me how to make chai and Indian potato sandwiches.

I've come to believe, to truly understand now, that around the world, women are simply and completely objects to be owned. The thought that a woman is an independently thinking human who is as valuable of a man is laughable to most of the world. The "She" of billions and billions is entrapped within a gridlocked system that ensures her bonds are tight. She is property, shunned and veiled, condemned for her beauty, a prisoner in her homes. Modern slavery.

THIS IS THE WORLD ON DRUGS

(Dedicateed to Jody and Babs, the strongest women I know)

2 comments:

Vi and Steve Kennedy said...

Ana,
You are such a strong and intelligent person...you are on my list of brilliant and inspiring women!

Dave Bittle said...

Ana, those are fantastic pictures and you have an incredible talent in writing what is on your heart. You should consider writing a book in your free time of your travels. HA! (Now when would that be?)

I am taking a course right now on Law and Ethics in the Business Environment. I could not help but think about your blog on a recent discussion question re: slavery and human trafficking.

Many thanks to you and your mom for sharing your great stories