In “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving” Lila Abu-Lughod discuss the ethics concerning Americans perception on the War on Terror. She discusses the role the women of Afghanistan play in reasoning the War on Terror. She begins by analyzing First Lady Laura Bush’s address on November 17, 2001, just a few months after September 2001. Abu-Lughod highlights Bush’s use of muslim women in Afghanistan. Bush proclaimed that the women of Afghanistan were liberated, they were able to listen music and teach their children without the fear of being punished, largely due to the United State’s military gain. This in turn justified the United States’ involvement in Afghanistan. Yet, Bush neglects to discuss the malnutrition, poverty, poor health and unemployment the women of Afghanistan endure. Bush discussed the role and treatment of women in Afghanistan rather then bringing to light the U.S repressive history. Abu-Lughod then further critiques Bush’s perception of the Muslim women by discussing the burqa. The burqa has been perceived as a sign of oppression. When the Taliban took control many women began to wear burqas. This caused many to believed that the Taliban enforced all women of Afghanistan to wear burqas. This is not the case, the burqa represents the separation of men’s and women’s spheres –  it symbolizes modesty. The burqa allowed women to walk without a male companion as it protected them from interacting with men of the public. Many could not comprehend why the Afghan women did not abandoned the burqas when they were “liberated” due to the fact that many were not aware that the burqa actually allowed the Afghan women to be feel liberated. The burqa was transformed into a political and ethical problem when it reality is was not, it was a voluntary choice made by the Afghan women. Our perception is largely due to to our ignorance towards others culture. The Afghan women are not being saved by the mighty Americans invading their country. Frankly, we use their position in their communities towards our benefit. In this case, it was used to justify a war.

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