5 Assignment 12

Ever since 9/11 the war on terrorism has become a crucial topic in our society. Government started spending billions of dollars to fight the war. Radical Muslim movements became a reason for the government to continue funding different military campaigns. However not all Muslim people should be blamed. There is a saying that there are no bad nations, there are bad individuals.

In the article “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving” by Lila Abu-Lughod discuses that media has a big influence on people’s opinion. Although, as Lila Aby-Lughod states media does not really discuses the crucial topic in understanding Muslim women, culture and especially beliefs. Lila also adds media gave a different representation of this war on terror. Somehow it became a question of saving and liberating. Media mostly concentrated on villainous Muslim terrorist but it does not really mention regular people who try to survive in this war. However, later on media started concentrating on Muslim women and on their culture. Muslim women were correspondingly used to justify the countless bombings. The reasoning behind it was simple because US government wanted to liberate women from the homes and give them an opportunity to be women and not fell afraid of punishment by Muslim men. Somehow, the war on terrorism turned into a fight for women’s rights. The reason was almost the same as it was before in a previous three hundred years that was used by colonizers. As we remember first colonizers, who stumbled upon indigenous people, wanted to “civilize them.” The similarity is pretty obvious. More privileged people want to make other’s people’s lives “better” even though not everybody wants that or even need that.

However, in the beginning of twenty first century countless lives were taken away. In addition to that, in the article we see that not everyone needs saving because even after rescuing women from Taliban control, women still decided to keep their burqas. Thus, the rescuing missions probably did not worth it since Muslim women strongly believe in their culture and beliefs.

Lila Abu-Lughod states that there is an explanatory power that is attributed to Islamic faith and Muslim women in particular. First thing to start with is Bush’s critique of Muslim women in Afghanistan after 9/11. Highlighting their basic freedoms as a result of military intervention. The thing is, though, is that any solution provided by military intervention always comes at a huge economic cost to the nation where the war took place. Which is an issue that Bush failed to address during his administration. A really interesting point that Lughod brings up is the issue of the burqa and how it’s a choice that these women made by themselves to exemplify modesty and separation from men. These are her points for why this was their choice, which I think is a little weak. First of all, a separation between men and women exists naturally in the form that they are already categorized differently by default. Secondly, the idea that it’s their choice to make when they were already suffering from poverty and lack of education leads anyone to think that their choice isn’t one based off of complete information as to what their freedom essentially entails both to them and outsiders. That’s not to say you can’t make a strong and independent choice for yourself without the proper knowledge, but it’s difficult to make that claim that all Afghan women are wearing a burqa because they want to feel a sense of liberation when that clearly isn’t the case. Especially in a nation that’s riddled with poverty, and poverty naturally breeds ignorance as to the “how” and the “why” for things being done the way in which they are done. It’s also not fair to say, however, that there isn’t a sense of solidarity in the choices being made by Afghan women through their clothing–which there more likely is. However, it’s hard to coincide this idea of liberation and freedom when women decide to wear these clothing during their time under the Taliban, and the Taliban enforced it onto them as well as seen through media outlets, too. It’s likely that they’re adapting the tool used against them to signify freedom, like that Game of Thrones quote about how if you wear what they use against you as armor, they can never hurt you, which is true but that isn’t an outwardly obvious message to anyone that’s looking. That’s just what I think.

In the reading,” Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving?”, Lila Abu-Lughod critiques on how Americans have the tendency to think that they are saving the Muslim women. She mentions how rather than “saving” them, they should be more interested in  learning the history of the development of repressive regimes in the region and the U.S. role in this history. Abu-Lughod talks about an interview where the reporter from the PBS News Hour with Jim Lehrer and First Lady Laura Bush’s radio were going  to talk about women and Islam and contacted her to see if she was able to give some background. She looked at the questions that they were going to ask the panelist and Abu-Lughod commented that the questions were  hopelessly general. She stated how if you would to replace the word Muslim with any other religion it would not make any sense. She also mentions “Most pressing for me was why the Muslim woman in general, and the Afghan woman in particular, were so crucial to this cultural mode of explanation, which ignored the complex entanglements in which we are all implicated, in sometimes surprising alignments”( Abu-Lughod, 784). She follows up by asking why were these females being mobilized in the war against terrorism. Abu-Lughod  mentions how there was a constant slippage between the Taliban and the terrorists in Laura Bush’s radio. This slippage made it seem as if they were one word. Also there was a blurring of the very separate causes in Afghanistan of women’s continuing malnutrition, poverty, and ill health. Laura Bush speech mentions how the American bombing in Afghanistan and military gain was the reason to why women are no longer imprisoned in their homes. Abu-Lughod mentioned how that statement haunts any person that has studied colonial history do to the fact that it had no outside knowledge of the topic. To conclude from this reading it, it appears that Abu-Lughod wanted to stress that instead of thinking about “saving” the women, educate yourself first.

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.

In her essay Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving? Anthropological Reflections on Cultural Relativism and Its Others, Lila Abu-Lughod describes the way in which women of Afghan descent are utilized within the “War on Terrorism”. Abu-Lughod uses the term “cultural mode of explanation” to describe the practices that were used in an attempt to generate insight regarding counterterrorism. The investigation of Afghan people was believed to be a more useful tactic in this respect as opposed to creating an understanding of the political and historical events that have contributed to the development of terrorism.

Westerners fail to realize that they have not played as significant of a role as they believe they have in the liberation of women hailing from Afghanistan. Certain aspects of Afghan culture are used to justify their interactions with the land as a means to create this “liberation”. For example, it is widely-known that the Taliban required women to wear the burqa, which is commonly perceived as a symbol of oppression. Confusion became somewhat widespread after women were “liberated” from the Taliban and had more freedoms to choose what materials adorned their bodies, though still chose to wear the burqa. What had not been realized is that the burqa was perceived as an “appropriate form of dress” (Abu-Lughod 785) and was a social norm within the women’ native lands. That the problem was not exactly the rule of the Taliban, but how both the preexisting and new political, historical, and social conditions impacted the way of living for native Afghan women, and Afghan people as a whole. Despite the absence of the Taliban, this does not change the fact that these women still face oppression in Afghanistan.

Abu-Lughod believes that we must not simply accept cultural explanations as a means to understand that way a large body of people live amongst one another. It is simply a matter of showing respect for cultures that differ from ours, and understanding that every cultural has a different standard for living.

In “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving? Anthropological Reflections on Cultural Relativism and Its Others,” Lila Abu- Lughod characterizes and critiques the connection affiliated with the war on terror. Lila Abu-Lughod like many people who majored in college for Women gender studies has shifted the focus in Afghanistan from terrorism and the control of the Taliban to how women are able to express themselves. In Lila Abu-Lughods article she explains how the invasion of Afghanistan by the United States was not successful. She states how Laura Bush has said that the women there are free after the invasion of Afghanistan and the fall of the Taliban. Her main argument is centered around the burqa. During the control of the Taliban women were required to wear Burqas, and not go to school to receive an education. Women walked around with their burqas as if it was a second home. Even after they have been “liberated” from the Taliban they still do not remove their Burqas. This is even more confusing because she then explains the origin of burqas. It originated from the Pashtun Tradition. Lila disagrees with Laura Bush when she says they have been successful and that the occupation of Afghanistan plays a role into proving freedoms to the Afghan peoples and especially to their women. Women are still oppressed in Afghanistan. That America is just like all the other imperialistic countries that have plagued the muslim world, or mainly the Middle East. Lila Abu-Lughod’s article is very unclear behind motives because it seems as though she contradicts herself. Unless this article isn’t about an argument but rather an informative one. To find an effective solution in Afghanistan you must dictate the patriarchy in each and every impoverished village in Afghanistan. Edit the very manuscripts and religious contexts in which these people have been practicing for hundreds of years. Instill your foreign government into the nation and tell them whats wrong and whats right. While you focus on the patriarchal relationships in each village and each household be sure you effectively combat any insurgents. Lila Abu-Lughod’s article gives us a step 4 when we haven’t even reached a step 1 in a developing country called Afghanistan.

In the article, “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving?” written by Lila Abu-Lughod, she explains the difficulties Muslim women and people of the Islamic culture face. Muslim people are judges based off of their appearance and their culture. Muslim women have to fight for their rights and freedoms in their homeland because they have very little freedom. Since the terror attack in New York City on 9/11, Muslim men and woman have been subjected and treated poorly just because of their religion and beliefs. Most muslim women will wear a hijab which covers her hair on her head. Sometime’s muslim women would wear a burqa which covers them from head to toe. If these women did not cover themselves they would be threatened and even harmed. These muslim women have been oppressed in so many ways. In my opinion going off of the title of this article, yes I do believe that Muslim women need saving. These women are being discriminated against just because of their religion. Even though many feel muslim women are being oppressed by wearing these burqas, it is also a sign or respect for their religion and their culture by wearing them. It is too show that they are being modest. I once watched a video online about muslim women talking about wearing their hijabs and most of them like wearing them because it is normal for them. One of the main reasoning behind wearing these is so men can fall in love with a women by who she is as a person, and not what she looks like, her inner beauty.

Lila Abu-Lughod discusses in her essay, “Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving”, the connection between the Islamic faith and Muslim women through the effects of the War on Terror. Due to this war, the topic on Muslim women and Islam has changed and became sensitive and Abu-Lughod connects this with “cultural mode of explanation”. One way Abu-Lughod was able to interpret this change was through the media and historical context.

Abu-Lughod explains how supposedly terrorists are connected with the Talibans as if they were one word, and there was not much difference from each other. This was a horror to see because this was just connecting it back to Afghanistan. Laura Bush emphasizes that the United States was able to provide Muslim women rights that they did not have before. However, not everyone will believe that because in fact it was the Westerners that has caused in colonialism but not many are aware of their effects. One particular issue was the British invasion in south Asia. These white men perceived themselves as saving these brown women from brown men, but in reality most women were oppressed and could not seek an education. Another incident was the French rule over Algeria. Algeria has long fought for their independence, but this did not occur to these two girls mentioned in Lughod’s essay. The two girls went as far as associating freedom with Christianity. As if, not following the religion automatically meant you were oppressed, which I believe Lughod was trying to point out in this text. People often mistake certain terms with freedom and not understanding why do some people practice terms that are not considered “normal”.

At the end of the day, people should be able to practice whatever they want because it is their right. In fact, the problem is that people do not go into depth of the idea and let something like the War on Terror to influence them. Instead they should look at context before that.

Lila Abu-Lughod explains the way in which women are characterized accordingly to the circumstances and believes of a culture. She describes the issues faced by women having to cover themselves and were threatened by the Taliban if they were to break the norm. Women were oppressed by the current political issues in their country. She uses the veiling of women to show the limitation they had in the community. There were many expectations oppressing the behavior and appearance women should had in order to be accepted and respected. They were manipulated by the Taliban to an extend where their culture was pursued to implement the values and regimes he established. One important points she brings up in her essay is that the way in which the role of a women is shaped by its surroundings should not be ignored. The line between the oppression and the culture is so blurred that people began to forget about the distinction and what makes them each different form each other. She encourage people to acknowledge the unjust treatment women are having and that there should be a human right that assures them a complete freedom. Even though people might have different ways to measure what would be an ideal way of living it is important to do something about it. The powerful movement of the war on terror is overtaking the classes and even gender of a nation. It is interesting how this explanatory power can force people into a certain behavior that all of the sudden it becomes normal. People need some guidance on how to act in reward with others, however when women or men are not given the freedom they deserve then it is irrelevant and a dangerous situation. Overall, the oppression faced by women cannot be hide and there should be something done in order for there to be justice.

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.