In her article, “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving”, Lila Abu Lughod writes that Americans blame Muslim countries for terrorist attacks and by going into war, they will liberate Muslim women. She emphasizes that the American society does not regard what these Muslim women truly believe is liberating. Americans believe that a women showing cleavage is liberating but to these women it’s not about dress code, but fixing the inequality they face in the country. Most of the women are illiterate and by any means wants to access the same resources as the elite. On the contrary, only elite and middle class Muslim women that are educated have the option to wear scarfs and have access to better jobs excluding political jobs. In addition, Elite women are given privileges yet many are outraged with the system and want all women to have an education. Thus, with more women that are educated, they can bring great change to the society and someday become politicians themselves. Most Muslim women are afraid to stand up and protest due to their lack of income, degree and security only to becomes homemakers and fear if left without a husband they too will wear the scarf homeless women wear. The author wants to express that war should not be about ethnocentrism but more so leaning to cultural relativism. We should not impose our culture on another group because what may seem normal to us maybe deviant in another culture. We should use our sociological imagination and accept other culture and way of living. Another key point the authors wants to address is that going to war is not going to change the situation these women endure. The reason for these women struggles and depression is because of the Taliban. For example, it is believe the ultimate sign of oppression of Afghan women under the Taliban and the terrorist were force to wear the burqa. Liberals women sometimes confess their surprise that liberated from the Taliban they did not throw off their burqas. The only solution to end their suffering is to replace their government with new a government that gives every citizen equal rights and justice and building an egalitarian society. The author wants us to make the decision as to whether the American should go to war to liberate these women from wearing the burqa or removing corrupted politicians and giving everyone totally freedom over their body, mind and social equality; while giving every citizen the same means and opportunity as the wealthy.

b

Leave a Reply