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Danielle Edwards Assignment #12

In her article “ Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving?,” Lila Abu-Lughod explains that Muslim women, especially Afghan women were being mobilized as symbols in the War on Terrorism. She explains that people in the West somehow believes that by gaining insight into the culture of the Middle East, the religious beliefs, and the way women are treated, they will unlock the information they need to combat the War on Terrorism. In a speech that she gave Laura Bush said that the War on Terrorism was also a war to fight for women’s rights (in countries where women aren’t as liberated like the West). One of the main topics of discussion was the burqa. Many believe that the burqa was a sign of oppression of Muslim women. It was view was the ultimate sign of oppression of Afghan women under the Taliban government, and Americans wanted to “save” these women. However, even after being free from Taliban rule, Muslim women still went about with coverings. What Abu-Lughod is trying to get Westerners to understand is that there is a difference in culture. People dress differently in different societal communities. These women wear different types of covering voluntarily, as it is their way of respecting and honoring their culture. Americans and others who want to “save” these women use the burqa and other cultural coverings as an excuse to have their presence in a country there their interest lies. Abu- Lughod explains that we need to learn to accept differences and move toward a society that seeks to end global injustices. Abu-Lughod says in order to accept differences we need to be able to see that Americans can’t just want Afghan women to be just like use. Westerners need to understand that what we want for them after liberation may not be the same things they want for themselves. Also, there may me different ideas about justice and the future so we should be mindful of the rhetoric used when talking about “saving” people. She criticized the way Laura Bush categorized Afghan women as someone that needs saving (by American troops). She says to imply that you are saving someone, you have to be saving them from something. She compares these current statements about saving “others” to those of the 19th century and says that they are the exact same sentiments worded differently. Abu-Lughod says that we need to seek to find ways to help create a world that is better for everyone.