RubySoho
Winston
This Is What Progress Looks Like
May 8th 2009 06:08
I'm a progressive. My greatest wish for the human race is that we, as a species, find a way to push beyond the cultural and religious constraints that still bind us (albeit in varying degrees), in every single country on the planet. Although the Western world is free-er it is still by no means free. Whilst Australians are proud of this country's laid back, tolerant attitude, it is still illegal for same sex couple to marry here. Even the United States, for all its religious zeal and fervour, has five states in the union in which gay people can tie the knot. But the United States is, as always, a land of contradictions. Because even as the queer community is slowly gaining ground, an alarming number of women are having their reproductive rights threatened as their access to contraception and abortion is curtailed.
If this is what the situation is like in the West, it is nothing short of depressing to read what happens in the less developed world. The stonings, the beheadings, the forced pregnancies, the gential mutilations, the use of rape as a weapon of war, the list of the ways in which people are oppressed in the name of culture and religion is endless. Yes, I know culture can be a beautiful thing, it has given rise to joyous dance and music, incredible food, colourful costumes. And religion has brought people together in faith and given some people hope where they thought there was none.
But you cannot deny the negative impact that both culture and religion have had on the lives of individual humans and on the progress of the human race as a whole. The patriarchal culture that dominates in the Middle East dictates that women are the responsibility of men and that the actions of a woman are a direct reflection on the men that 'own' her. That is why, in a part of the world where interaction between the sexes is still taboo, women are largely confined to their homes. They are not likely to meet men there. And thus they are not likely to bring 'shame' on their menfolk. For what happens if and when they do? Then that same patriarchal culture dictates that men take steps to redeem their honour and purge the source of shame from their homes. And that's why we have honour killings.
The Judeo-Christian tradition that continues in the West, whilst it has made significant progress, still however, seems reluctant to shake off the last vestiges of homophobia and misogyny that once formed the basis of its belief system. It's no great secret that the greatest opposition to homosexual rights and women's reproductive rights comes from the Christian Right.
Religion and culture, hand in hand, have dominated the history of our race. That's why, as daunting as they are to overcome, I look for the little victories. The small signs that indicate that even in the face of such mammoth opposition, we are nonetheless making progress towards a world where strict adherence to cultural and religious practices are fully optional.
I have found two such victories this week. First up, Saudi Arabia. Many readers have no doubt heard the story of the nine year old girl who was sold off by her her father as a child bride to a fifty year old man, in order to pay off personal debts. These sorts of transactions are fairly common in this part of the world, where women are considered property. Before I go further, I do want to stress that even though the girl is married off so young, she generally does not actually live with the older husband, nor is the marriage consummated, until after he has reached puberty. At which stage she is theoretically permitted to object to the marriage.
Even so, the willingness to use women and girls as commodities is a cultural practice that violates the most basic of human rights. And this case received much attention from the world's media. Particularly when the girl's mother took the case to court hoping to obtain an annulment for her underage daughter. Sadly, the court rejected the mother's pleas and upheld the marriage. So where's the good news, you ask? Right here:
International pressure prompted this man, who remember, was only acting in a way that his culture has deemed acceptable for thousands of years to re-asses his notions of right and wrong and divorce his young wife. That's progress right there. Because if the international community keeps up this sort of pressure, then this case will not be an isolated incident:
It may seem a little far fetched to think that so much can come out of one small incident, but even a journey of a thousand mile starts with one small step. And at the very least, that little girl has another chance at a better life. That's progress.
My second small victory comes from the United States for I awoke this morning to read this:
[
That's right people, American mothers trust their little kids with, shock, horror, lesbians!
They trust Ellen more than Oprah? What can I say, that I haven't already? I know it's a small victory. But nonetheless it's a victory for progress. Would this have been thinkable a generation, or even a decade ago? I've long been awestruck by Ellen Degeneres, she who gave us prime time's first same sex kiss. She who has managed to penetrate mainstream America's minds and hearts and show them that homosexuality is nothing to fear or hide your kids from. A top rating talk show aimed straight at middle America and now the trust of mainstream American mothers. Gotta love that woman!
Two small victories. Two more steps on the never ending journey of social progress. I like the world today.
If this is what the situation is like in the West, it is nothing short of depressing to read what happens in the less developed world. The stonings, the beheadings, the forced pregnancies, the gential mutilations, the use of rape as a weapon of war, the list of the ways in which people are oppressed in the name of culture and religion is endless. Yes, I know culture can be a beautiful thing, it has given rise to joyous dance and music, incredible food, colourful costumes. And religion has brought people together in faith and given some people hope where they thought there was none.
But you cannot deny the negative impact that both culture and religion have had on the lives of individual humans and on the progress of the human race as a whole. The patriarchal culture that dominates in the Middle East dictates that women are the responsibility of men and that the actions of a woman are a direct reflection on the men that 'own' her. That is why, in a part of the world where interaction between the sexes is still taboo, women are largely confined to their homes. They are not likely to meet men there. And thus they are not likely to bring 'shame' on their menfolk. For what happens if and when they do? Then that same patriarchal culture dictates that men take steps to redeem their honour and purge the source of shame from their homes. And that's why we have honour killings.
The Judeo-Christian tradition that continues in the West, whilst it has made significant progress, still however, seems reluctant to shake off the last vestiges of homophobia and misogyny that once formed the basis of its belief system. It's no great secret that the greatest opposition to homosexual rights and women's reproductive rights comes from the Christian Right.
Religion and culture, hand in hand, have dominated the history of our race. That's why, as daunting as they are to overcome, I look for the little victories. The small signs that indicate that even in the face of such mammoth opposition, we are nonetheless making progress towards a world where strict adherence to cultural and religious practices are fully optional.
I have found two such victories this week. First up, Saudi Arabia. Many readers have no doubt heard the story of the nine year old girl who was sold off by her her father as a child bride to a fifty year old man, in order to pay off personal debts. These sorts of transactions are fairly common in this part of the world, where women are considered property. Before I go further, I do want to stress that even though the girl is married off so young, she generally does not actually live with the older husband, nor is the marriage consummated, until after he has reached puberty. At which stage she is theoretically permitted to object to the marriage.
Even so, the willingness to use women and girls as commodities is a cultural practice that violates the most basic of human rights. And this case received much attention from the world's media. Particularly when the girl's mother took the case to court hoping to obtain an annulment for her underage daughter. Sadly, the court rejected the mother's pleas and upheld the marriage. So where's the good news, you ask? Right here:
JEDDAH (Reuters) - A 50-year old Saudi man has agreed to divorce his 9-year-old bride, media reported on Thursday, after the marriage drew international criticism.
The decision, reported by newspapers Alwatan and Al-Riyadh, came after months of court hearings, criticism from the United Nations and an international media frenzy about Saudi Arabia's human rights practices.
"This is a good step and I think the man did it because he was in a lot of pressure from everyone," Wajeha Al-Huaider, founder of the Group for Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia, told Reuters by telephone.
The decision, reported by newspapers Alwatan and Al-Riyadh, came after months of court hearings, criticism from the United Nations and an international media frenzy about Saudi Arabia's human rights practices.
"This is a good step and I think the man did it because he was in a lot of pressure from everyone," Wajeha Al-Huaider, founder of the Group for Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia, told Reuters by telephone.
International pressure prompted this man, who remember, was only acting in a way that his culture has deemed acceptable for thousands of years to re-asses his notions of right and wrong and divorce his young wife. That's progress right there. Because if the international community keeps up this sort of pressure, then this case will not be an isolated incident:
Al-Huaider, who campaigned for the child, said she hoped the pressure generated by the case would eventually lead to a law banning child marriages.
It may seem a little far fetched to think that so much can come out of one small incident, but even a journey of a thousand mile starts with one small step. And at the very least, that little girl has another chance at a better life. That's progress.
My second small victory comes from the United States for I awoke this morning to read this:
[
Really Long Link LOS ANGELES (Reuters)[/LINK] Comedian Ellen DeGeneres and her actress partner Portia de Rossi topped a poll that asked American moms which celebrities they would feel most comfortable leaving their kids with.
DeGeneres and de Rossi, who married in August when same-sex marriages in California were briefly legalized but who have no children, beat Angelina Jolie and partner Brad Pitt with their eclectic brood of six in the ParentDish.com poll of more than 10,000 moms.
DeGeneres and de Rossi, who married in August when same-sex marriages in California were briefly legalized but who have no children, beat Angelina Jolie and partner Brad Pitt with their eclectic brood of six in the ParentDish.com poll of more than 10,000 moms.
That's right people, American mothers trust their little kids with, shock, horror, lesbians!
The TV chat show host and de Rossi took 31 percent of votes with singleton Jennifer Aniston coming in second at 22 percent. Jolie and Pitt got 18 percent of votes, while chat show queen Oprah Winfrey got just nine percent.
They trust Ellen more than Oprah? What can I say, that I haven't already? I know it's a small victory. But nonetheless it's a victory for progress. Would this have been thinkable a generation, or even a decade ago? I've long been awestruck by Ellen Degeneres, she who gave us prime time's first same sex kiss. She who has managed to penetrate mainstream America's minds and hearts and show them that homosexuality is nothing to fear or hide your kids from. A top rating talk show aimed straight at middle America and now the trust of mainstream American mothers. Gotta love that woman!
Two small victories. Two more steps on the never ending journey of social progress. I like the world today.
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Comment by Cheryl J
Rhythmatism
Zentertainment
Budget Centsability
Comment by Someone
Evil Pleasures
Random Musings on Life, Love and Everything
Let's Get Down To Business
I doubt it. I would say he probably still thinks it's ok, but just didn't enjoy the attention. Chances are he'll just find another
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
everyone loves Ellen!
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Great post!
I'm with you on religion being detrimental, for the most part, to society, but I view 'culture' in a neutral way - it's too complex to be merely good and/or bad to me. I'd say that certain cultural practices are oppressive and limiting, but culture on the whole is not, because it's fluid and constantly changing.
I'm really pleased to hear about the 50 year old man filing for divorce, and I do think it's remarkable how popular Ellen has become, and what that says about the US status quo.
Thanks for pointing out these changes... I too have been feeling better than usual about humanity's progress of late, and I think the more changes are made for the better, the easier it is to make other changes for the better. I mean, look at same-sex marriage... For many years Massachussetts was the only state in the US to allow it, but now Connecticut didn't even have a year before Iowa and Vermont joined in... and now we have Maine legalising it as well. Same with Europe - for four years The Netherlands was the only country to allow it, then countries began following suit more and more rapidly.
Also, Obama recently signed a bill that strengthens the idea of crime against homosexuals and the disabled as hate crime. And he is working on abolishing 'don't ask, don't tell' as well.
Oh yes, and Washington D.C. will now recognise same-sex marriages from other US states. Slowly inching towards progress there too...
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
yeah, i was so pleased when i heard the man was divorcing the girl that i got to thinking if it could possibly be the start of something bigger.
Hi Someone,
I think you may be right. The media attention must have made him uncomfortable, even if he personally didn't have problem with it. maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part, that he actually had a genuine change of heart. Either way, I'll take it, because the end result is the same. And maybe, eventually the idea will spread that perhaps these sorts of marriages are unfair on those girls.
Hi Morgan,
I love Ellen! And you know when you have a situation where people like Joe the Plumber are going around saying that he won't let any of his gay "friends"near his kids, then a poll like this comes out...it's a good sign.
Thanks PoMo,
I agree that culture changes, but nearly fast enough in some places. What I object to is the notion that all cultural practices should be accepted simply because it is part of a certain region's culture. When I discuss the rights of women in the Middle East with a friend of mine, she says we have no right to judge and enforce our western ideas on to them. She won't accept that Human Rights should supercede culture. I disagree. Oppression should be fought anywhere and everywhere it is found.And it's this sort of reverence of 'culture' that I have a problem with.
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Relativity Watch
Padsoc
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
I wonder what she's on.
It must allow her to buy a lot of drugs.
I'd pick her and Portia to look after my kids.
I always wanted gay children of my own.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
Error. Error.
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
but she was the thirteenth apostle right?
you are SO SNEAKY with the modify comments function, i like it, its cunning
altering historical records!
ill see you in court!
Comment by Jeff Musall
Secular Humanity
Comment by Randy Inman
Waxing Political
Football Dogz
NCstuff
The Right Side
On the Hate Crimes Bill, I have not looked into it much yet. But I suspect the propaganda machines from both sides will be out in force on the issue.
Comment by Daylight
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Sorry for the belated response. How does the far right think a hate crimes bill will benefit pedophiles? Seems a bizarre claim to me.
Hi Randy,
My thoughts exactly...well except the part about being a right winger. But really, I just can't understand why some people are so threatened by the thought of same sex marriage. I think I might have to read up on the Hate Crimes Bill...
Hi Daylight,
I think it's a stretch to say that Christianity made progressive changes. I think it happened in the West despite, not because of religion. At some points in our history, Judaism and Christianity were just as oppressive as Islam (and in some parts of the world still are). Heresy and apostasy were simply not tolerated. Progress happened partly because Christianity branched off into so many sub-religions who weren't able to wield as much power as in the early years of the Church and partly because of centuries of accumulated stories such as the two I described above.
Believe me, I have no doubt that, given the chance, Christianity would once again rule with an iron fist. It certainly seems to be trying in some parts of the world. That's why I continue to criticise it, because it would simply be too dangerous to let any one ideology dominate.